My first Spitfire
Discussion
I have always had a passion for classic cars and now that I am leaving university I would like to get my first classic. I did look initially at MG midgets but think a spitfire would be much better! I sat in one in a local garage and turned it over and instantly fell in love with it! Money is tight, probably would not want to spend over £1500 on the car and my mechanical knowledge is basic to say the least, however I am not afraid to learn or get my hands dirty! I would like some information on what age/engine is best to get, what to look out for when browsing and what I can get for my money! Cheers
1st rule, don't buy the first one you see, no matter how much you want it!! I learnt the hard way!
At the end of the day, personal preference has a lot to do with it. Get out there and have a look at some and see which ones you like/dislike.
The later, larger engined models are going to be the most practical to drive. I've got a 1500 engine in my MkIV and it's great fun
>> Edited by spitfire-ian on Thursday 1st June 20:52
TSSC Website said:
There are very few examples of the Spitfire 4 on the road and they are becoming very collectable. Very basic interior, overdrive and wire wheels available as an optional extra. Try to find an original complete car. Some Spares especially trim are difficult to find.
Visually identical to the '4' with slightly revised front grille, the Spitfire MkII increased performance and minor interior trim changes. Try to find an original complete car. Some Spares especially trim are difficult to find.
The Spitfire MkIII had a larger engine giving a large increase in power. Bumper raised at front. More creature comforts than the earlier ones. Excellent spares availability.
The Spifire MkIV had revised styling with de-seamed bonnet and squared off rear end, full width rear bumper, reclining front seats and all synchromesh gearbox. Excellent spares availability.
Fitted with larger engine making the Spitfire 1500 model ideal for longer distance cruising. Cars with overdrive and factory hardtops are worthlooking out for. Excellent spares availability.
At the end of the day, personal preference has a lot to do with it. Get out there and have a look at some and see which ones you like/dislike.
The later, larger engined models are going to be the most practical to drive. I've got a 1500 engine in my MkIV and it's great fun
>> Edited by spitfire-ian on Thursday 1st June 20:52
I had a new 1300cc Pimento red Mk 4 Spitfire in 1973. Great little car, ample power, the main thing to watch is the dreaded rust, they are easy to work on, thanks to the large front opening bonnet, as previous advice don't buy the first one you see, there are still quite a few around.......
What Model?
If money is tight your not going to be buying an A1, mint condition car so avoid the very early cars (Mk 1 & 2) as spares are harder to get hold of (= more expensive).
If you like the rounder, '60s look I'd suggest you look at a Mk 3. If you prefer the more angular '70s look then either a Mk 4 or a 1500. The Mk IV has a revy 1300cc engine, the 1500 has a less-revy but more torquie 1500cc engine. Not much difference really.
How Much?
Sub £1500 should get you (worst condition to best)
- 1500 (A2 = £2400, A3 = £800)
- Mk 3 (A2 = £2000, A3 = £600)
- Mk 4 (A2 - £1800, A3 - £700)
where
A2 - Average.
The vehicle should be in good working order, capable of regular use and satisfying an MOT test requirement. The bodywork must be free of extensive rust and/or damage.
A3 - Servicable.
The vehicle must be in a roadworthy condition and be capable of satisfying an MOT test requirement. A considerable amount of work may be required to make the vehicle condition A2 or better.
Your money should get you a good, servicable car that isn't a death trap and won't have any critical mechanical problems. The paintwork won't be the best, probably with a bit of rust here and there, and with engine/gearbox that have seen better days but aren't on the point of falling apart.
Dirty Hands?
Not afraid to get your hands dirty - good. An A2/3 car will probably have a few oil leaks (some since it was new!) so everything under the car will be covered in old oil (hey, prevents water getting in and rusting)
Mechanical Knowledge?
Your mechanical knowledge is basic - good, so are the mechanicals of the car! There are only a handful of jobs that need special tools and can't be done at home with a basic toolkit. Gearbox has a couple of springs that are easy to loose during a stripdown, overdrive rebuilds are basically a specialist job, as are rear drive shafts (generally more hastle than it's worth to do at home).
Buying Tips?
1) Read the TSSC buyers guides - www.tssc.org.uk/spitfire.asp?article=buyersguide.xml
2) Try to get a car with an overdrive (gives you a gear between 3rd and 4th and a 5th gear) but don't pay more for one.
3) If you want to avoid buying a dog, I'd suggest getting someone who knows the cars to give it the once over before paying. Either join a club and go to the local area meetings - ask and you will probably find someone willing to look at a car with you - or pay someone like John Yarnell (www.jyclassics.co.uk) to look it over (but not until he has finished sorting the brakes on my car - I need it back by next Sat. for Le Mans!).
If money is tight your not going to be buying an A1, mint condition car so avoid the very early cars (Mk 1 & 2) as spares are harder to get hold of (= more expensive).
If you like the rounder, '60s look I'd suggest you look at a Mk 3. If you prefer the more angular '70s look then either a Mk 4 or a 1500. The Mk IV has a revy 1300cc engine, the 1500 has a less-revy but more torquie 1500cc engine. Not much difference really.
How Much?
Sub £1500 should get you (worst condition to best)
- 1500 (A2 = £2400, A3 = £800)
- Mk 3 (A2 = £2000, A3 = £600)
- Mk 4 (A2 - £1800, A3 - £700)
where
A2 - Average.
The vehicle should be in good working order, capable of regular use and satisfying an MOT test requirement. The bodywork must be free of extensive rust and/or damage.
A3 - Servicable.
The vehicle must be in a roadworthy condition and be capable of satisfying an MOT test requirement. A considerable amount of work may be required to make the vehicle condition A2 or better.
Your money should get you a good, servicable car that isn't a death trap and won't have any critical mechanical problems. The paintwork won't be the best, probably with a bit of rust here and there, and with engine/gearbox that have seen better days but aren't on the point of falling apart.
Dirty Hands?
Not afraid to get your hands dirty - good. An A2/3 car will probably have a few oil leaks (some since it was new!) so everything under the car will be covered in old oil (hey, prevents water getting in and rusting
) Mechanical Knowledge?
Your mechanical knowledge is basic - good, so are the mechanicals of the car! There are only a handful of jobs that need special tools and can't be done at home with a basic toolkit. Gearbox has a couple of springs that are easy to loose during a stripdown, overdrive rebuilds are basically a specialist job, as are rear drive shafts (generally more hastle than it's worth to do at home).
Buying Tips?
1) Read the TSSC buyers guides - www.tssc.org.uk/spitfire.asp?article=buyersguide.xml
2) Try to get a car with an overdrive (gives you a gear between 3rd and 4th and a 5th gear) but don't pay more for one.
3) If you want to avoid buying a dog, I'd suggest getting someone who knows the cars to give it the once over before paying. Either join a club and go to the local area meetings - ask and you will probably find someone willing to look at a car with you - or pay someone like John Yarnell (www.jyclassics.co.uk) to look it over (but not until he has finished sorting the brakes on my car - I need it back by next Sat. for Le Mans!).
Avoid the Mk3, purely on the grounds that parts can be very difficult to get hold of.
The Mk4 and 1500 are easy to get just about everything for. The 1500 is the really fun one, but the 1300 (like wot I 'as got) won't fail to bring a smile either.
Get yourself sorted out with the owner's club and the spitfire graveyard (Sheffield) is a fantastic place for parts. www.spitfireg1.f9.co.uk/frame.htm . You can also drop them a line to see if they have, or know of, any spits for sale - they usually have a couple of clean/restored examples around as well as cars that are just a little too good to break and can be taken 'as is'.
The Mk4 and 1500 are easy to get just about everything for. The 1500 is the really fun one, but the 1300 (like wot I 'as got) won't fail to bring a smile either.
Get yourself sorted out with the owner's club and the spitfire graveyard (Sheffield) is a fantastic place for parts. www.spitfireg1.f9.co.uk/frame.htm . You can also drop them a line to see if they have, or know of, any spits for sale - they usually have a couple of clean/restored examples around as well as cars that are just a little too good to break and can be taken 'as is'.
Rhodri1985 said:
I have always had a passion for classic cars and now that I am leaving university I would like to get my first classic. I did look initially at MG midgets but think a spitfire would be much better! I sat in one in a local garage and turned it over and instantly fell in love with it! Money is tight, probably would not want to spend over £1500 on the car and my mechanical knowledge is basic to say the least, however I am not afraid to learn or get my hands dirty! I would like some information on what age/engine is best to get, what to look out for when browsing and what I can get for my money! Cheers
I owned a MkIV which I believe you could easily pick up a good example for your budget, but have you considered a GT6? I know it's not a convertible but it's quite a bit faster.
Check out the classifieds on www.tssc.org.uk/ Your budget should get you a 1500 or MkIV in good nick or a GT6 needing a bit of "TLC"
Hi guys, I was in a pretty similar situation until about a year ago, maybe a little less. Now I'm the proud owner of a 1976 1500, in flamenco orange, bullet wingmirrors, wire wheels, double-twin exhausts, got her with hardtop, soft-top, tonneau, indoor dustcover, haynes manual, the works. The guy was asking £1800 ono but I paid £1500. (Would perhaps have been more but paintwork needs a little attention, saving up for that at the mo). The nice fella I bought mine from just didn't have the garage space, and needed seats for his kids, so was already running another car. He was more concerned that the spitfire would go to a good home than how much he'd get. My advice would be, look around, and be prepared to travel. Was about a 240 mile round trip when I got mine, but looked at some a lot farther afield.
tr3a said:
Some years ago, I wrote a little story for those who are thinking of getting into Spitfire ownership: here. I hope it helps.
Good article, I wish you'd written it before I bought mine! Mine was a real wreck and I thought my mechanical skills were up to it. They would have been too IF I'd had a garage to work in, it was an easy car to work on. But you do need the facilities and the patience.
Love my 1500 spitfire very very much, but it does seem to sepnd a fair bit of time off the road these days. Still when its working nothing comes close!
Would recomend that you try and get one with overdrive though, i really wish mine had it some times.
Would recomend that you try and get one with overdrive though, i really wish mine had it some times.
Edited by the_fatadder on Friday 25th August 23:15
Edited by the_fatadder on Saturday 26th August 16:52
Hving had both I would suggest the MG is better handling, as the Spitfire and its derivatives have an antique rear suspension layout based on a single transverse leaf spring which was the kind of thing you would expect on a sit-up-and-beg Ford Populer. Despite lots of mods the essential geometry of the back end is not as chuckable as the agricultural live axle and twin leaf springs of the MG. On the other hand the Triumph interior is light years better than the MG - and the bodywork does not corrode terminally quite as much. Midgets have a curve to the upper front edge of the sills which was designed to accomodate the movement of the frogeye Sprite bonnet the floorpan was taken from - and this is arguably the worst rust trap ever on a British built car. On the Triumph you have a separate chassis whereas the MG monocoque rots everywhere. Both cars have bum-perches for seats so ride comfort about the same. The clincher for me is that you can get a Spit with overdrive which was never an option on a Midget. Have fun!!
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