Spitfire advice
Discussion
Hello,
One of my mates is considering purchasing a Spitfire, what things should he look out for, any decent online buyers guides ?
How practical are they as an everyday runner ? can you do stuff like fit electronic ignition to make it a better prospect ?
Sorry for all the questions have not been in a Triumph since the old man's 2500 circa 1978 !
TIA
Ben
One of my mates is considering purchasing a Spitfire, what things should he look out for, any decent online buyers guides ?
How practical are they as an everyday runner ? can you do stuff like fit electronic ignition to make it a better prospect ?
Sorry for all the questions have not been in a Triumph since the old man's 2500 circa 1978 !
TIA
Ben
The lazy way:
Take a look here - www.tssc.org.uk/spitfire.asp - and use the right hand navigation to get to model info/buyers guides.
The less lazy/less detailed way:
First off pick a model
Spitfire 4 - mechanical parts easy to get hold of, body panels less so. Hood is seperate frame/canvas like a tent so not the quickest thing in the world (especially in the rain).
Spitfire Mk 2 - more or less the same as the Spitfire 4.
Spitfire Mk 3 - similar parts good/bad points but with 'proper' folding-in-one-piece roof.
Spitfire Mk IV - same sized engine though TECHNICALLY infearior to Mk 3's (only an issue if your racing it and even then plenty have raced the Mk IV engine without issue). Same mechanicals, so good parts supply but body panels easier to get hold of.
Spitfire 1500 - same body as Mk IV but bigger (1500cc) engine (stroked so not as free reving as smaller ones but good amount of torque which makes it an easier drive and gives true 100MPH performace...on a good day, down hill, etc). Good parts supply.
Others - Spitfire 6/GT6 convertable/Gitfire - basically a Spitfire body on the chassis, running gear and, more importantly 2l 6 sylinder engine from a Triumph GT6. Mechanicals generally easy to get hold of with body panels matching the equivalent Spitfire.
What to Look Out For
1) Rust
2) Rust
3) Rust
Anywhere and everywhere.
Daily Driver?
Depends on your firends stamina/how much they MUST get there.
I've driven one daily for a few years and they aren't too bad provided you look after them and accept the odd refusal to start.
They are NOT the most fun you can have with your pants on to drive on a rainy winters day as, though the heaters work well the rear window just steams up. Nor are they the dryest place to be - if your happy to get dripped on in the rain you are fine though.
Electronic ignition is from about £80 and easy to fit.
Humm, must do some work - HTH
Take a look here - www.tssc.org.uk/spitfire.asp - and use the right hand navigation to get to model info/buyers guides.
The less lazy/less detailed way:
First off pick a model
Spitfire 4 - mechanical parts easy to get hold of, body panels less so. Hood is seperate frame/canvas like a tent so not the quickest thing in the world (especially in the rain).
Spitfire Mk 2 - more or less the same as the Spitfire 4.
Spitfire Mk 3 - similar parts good/bad points but with 'proper' folding-in-one-piece roof.
Spitfire Mk IV - same sized engine though TECHNICALLY infearior to Mk 3's (only an issue if your racing it and even then plenty have raced the Mk IV engine without issue). Same mechanicals, so good parts supply but body panels easier to get hold of.
Spitfire 1500 - same body as Mk IV but bigger (1500cc) engine (stroked so not as free reving as smaller ones but good amount of torque which makes it an easier drive and gives true 100MPH performace...on a good day, down hill, etc). Good parts supply.
Others - Spitfire 6/GT6 convertable/Gitfire - basically a Spitfire body on the chassis, running gear and, more importantly 2l 6 sylinder engine from a Triumph GT6. Mechanicals generally easy to get hold of with body panels matching the equivalent Spitfire.
What to Look Out For
1) Rust
2) Rust
3) Rust
Anywhere and everywhere.
Daily Driver?
Depends on your firends stamina/how much they MUST get there.
I've driven one daily for a few years and they aren't too bad provided you look after them and accept the odd refusal to start.
They are NOT the most fun you can have with your pants on to drive on a rainy winters day as, though the heaters work well the rear window just steams up. Nor are they the dryest place to be - if your happy to get dripped on in the rain you are fine though.
Electronic ignition is from about £80 and easy to fit.
Humm, must do some work - HTH
Another useful source of info is the Club Triumph Spitfire/GT6 forum 
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