. It remained unchanged until 1979 when it gained large, rubber bumpers before bowing out entirely in 1980. Are you looking to buy your dream classic car? 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500; 2022 Ram 1500; Protect your 1973 Triumph Spitfire from the unexpected. **Figure based on a stock 1973 Triumph Spitfire 1500 valued at $9,700 with ON rates with $100/300K liability/UM/UIM limits. Where the Austin A30 used monocoque construction, the Herald used body-on-frame a chassis Triumph was able to downsize, saving the cost of developing a completely new chassis-body unit. My friend went for a Midget, but Im so glad that I bought the Spitfire its that little bit better for general use and wins hands down on comfort. Average fuel consumption was 31 mpg. Always slightly dearer than the MG, the Spitfire offered more space and refinement, even a wood-veneer dash on some models. The final variant arrived in 1973 with the insertion of the 1500cc unit from the MG Midget appropriately named the Spitfire 1500. How much does a Triumph Spitfire cost? Although Giovanni Michelotti, the Italian designer who had also worked on everything from the Herald to Ferraris to BMWs to Fiats, had already created a prototype of the Spitfire, it was delayed and eventually shelved indefinitely. Electronics: although theres a good chance that some sort of electrical problem will be present, its usually only down to poor earths or the failure of some cheap-to-replace component. As no six-cylinder version ever appeared as might have been planned, the Spitfire 4 moniker was phased out as insignificant. In many respects, it was a better car than its competition. 1977:The interior receives minor fettling for greater comfort. [1] Fuel economy was reduced to 29mpg.[1]. Copyright Autovia Ltd 2023. [1] Base prices for the 1980 model year were $7,365 in the US and 3,631 in the UK.[1]. The design used body-on-frame construction, augmented by structural components within the bodywork and rear trailing arms attached to the body rather than the chassis. 1973 Triumph Spitfire 1500 2dr Convertible 4-cyl. Some bits for early cars are tricky to get hold of however, but if youre looking at a MkIV or 1500, you can re-trim the car to original spec or upgrade it easily and relatively cheaply. Thanks to the Spitfire's striking good looks, Leyland executives approved production without hesitation. , the Spitfire's success went unhampered by such issues. The wheel arches were flared, which gave it a more aggressive stance. Steering: the rack-and-pinion steering is unlikely to have any problems, as it isnt under much strain, despite the Spitfires fabulously tight turning circle. Values Reference Profiles Exotics Order MENU 1975 TRIUMPH SPITFIRE 4cyl 1493cc (57hp SAE) 4M #4 #3 #2 #1: 1500 Roadster : 3200: 6700: 11700: 17800: Profile Condition Truck Table. Never sold to the public, it remains on display at the British Motor Museum. The Mark IV went on sale in the UK at the end of 1970 with a base price of 735. The 1,147cc engine was replaced with a bored-out 1,296cc unit (the bore increasing from 69.3mm (2.73in) to 73.7mm (2.90in), stroke retained at 76mm (3.0in)), as fitted on the new Triumph Herald 13/60 and Triumph 1300 saloons. [1] The Mark III continued production into 1971, well after introduction of the Mark IV. Toledo Toledo (R4 cyl, 1296 cc, 58 bhp) Saloon 2-dr Saloon 4-dr. Taking a cue from the Sprite's downsizing of an existing model Austin, the Triumph Spitfire was developed from the Triumph Herald sedan, shortening the chassis and redesigning the body for a sportier look. Detail improvements continued to be made throughout the 1500's production run, including reclining seats with "chequered brushed nylon centre panels" and head restraints, introduced for domestic market cars early in 1977 along with a new set of column stalk operated minor controls (as fitted already in the TR7) replacing the old dashboard mounted knobs and switches. Theres a good chance that youll pay over the odds for a car that needs plenty of work. The engine used a revised camshaft and a distributor with idle speed ignition timing retarded to address emissions. In the event of a claim, the guaranteed value(s) on your policy declarations page is the amount your vehicle(s) is covered for, even if the value displayed here is different. [4] It was manufactured at the Standard-Triumph Canley works, with approximately 315,000 produced over 18 years.[5]. The Triumph Spitfire is a British sports car and manufactured over five production iterations between 1962-1980. Shop Triumph convertibles in Dover-Foxcroft, ME for sale at Cars.com. 2016, 2017 and 2018. IV engine displaced 1,296cc (79.1cuin) throughout the production run, and in 1973 received larger big-end bearings to rationalise production with the TR6 2.5-litre engines. Yet more rust: floorpans also corrode, sometimes because rot spreads from the sills and sometimes because the footwells have been allowed to fill up with water. 1- family owned, and 25,000 original miles per previous owner. Suspension: thanks to the flip-up bonnet, the Spitfires front suspension is simplicity itself to work on. The remaining leaves were mounted to pivot freely thereby eliminating the worst characteristics of the original swing-axle design. The Hagerty Group, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hagerty, Inc. Michelotti was commissioned in 1970 to redesign the Spitfire. All Spitfires are attractive, inexpensive to maintain, easy to find parts for and offer a great deal of fun for the money. [12] The separate "Triumph" letters on the front of the bonnet were removed and "Triumph" and "Spitfire" rectangular badges were used in the front, rear sides and rear. Popular Cars for Sale. MkIV Spitfires are especially prone to these problems; listen for rumbling from the bottom end as the engine ticks over. Please try again later or you may try to reload page. [10], The 1968 model featured dual system (aka tandem) brakes with a brake failure warning device. ClassicCars.com's first-class Customer Support team with a Stevie Bronze Award in 2019, celebrating the team's skills as exemplary customer support specialists. 4 Speed Manual Tra, 1977 Triumph Spitfire Convertible Why This Car Is Special The 1977 Triumph Spitfire Convertible is a, Gateway Classic Cars of Indianapolis is proud to offer this 1975 Triumph Spitfire 1500. Although, Giovanni Michelotti, the Italian designer who had also worked on everything from the Herald to Ferraris to BMWs to Fiats. The Cost Of A Classic Triumph Spitfire The Mk II sold for GBP 550 when new in 1965, the equivalent today of almost GBP 11,000 or a hair under $15,000. If a car has been badly restored, with the shell twisted in the process, the door wont be flush all the way down and neither will the shut lines be even. by babetskt Jun 12, 2019. Engines: the 1147cc and 1296cc engines are very durable, but all Spitfire engines must have the correct oil filter fitted if theyre not to expire prematurely. Other issues includea small leak from the oil pan gasket, and a clutch system that requires are-bleed to improve the shifting performance of the four-speed gearbox. 1962 OctSpitfire 4 launched (45,753 made), 1964 Feboptional wires and Hardtop added, also tuning kits giving 70-90bhp, with eight-port cylinder head and twin Weber carbs, 1964 MarSpitfire MkII (37,408 made) replaces 4; carpets, vinyl-trimmed dash, 67bhp, tubular exhaust manifold; 0-60mph 14 secs, 94mph, 1967 MarSpitfire MkIII (65,320 made); 9in higher front bumper, one-piece hood, wood centre dash panel, bigger brake calipers, 1296cc eight-port four, 1969 Alloy-spoke steering wheel, black plastic grille, 41/2in wheels replace 31/2in, new rear lights, 1970 OctSpitfire MkIV (70,021 made); all-synchro gearbox, alternator, higher final-drive ratio, 1974 Dec1500 (95,829 made); stronger, single-rail gearbox, diff ratio raised again, 1979 Jandual-circuit brakes, 5in wheel rims. During the 2007 restoration, the suspension received a complete overhaul with a new steering rack, new shocks, springs, control arms, and pivot parts. We use cookies and browser activity to improve your experience, personalize content and ads, and analyze how our sites are used. Sign in now to prevent your Saved Listings from expiring. Also listen for whining, indicating that the gears have worn, or rumbling, which signifies the bearings are on their way out. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Please enable JavaScript to engage in the discussion on this site. If the small British sports cars of the early '60s are the topic at hand, though, the chances are that it's one of Triumph's classic roadsters, which you will picture. Reconnected! In. The Mk II sold for GBP 550 when new in 1965, the equivalent today of almost GBP 11,000 or a hair under $15,000. Fair Market Value Insurance - Resale KBB - List Price MSRP - NADA Private Sale Has very good convert, 1975 Triumph Spitfire British Sports Car 4 cylinder 1500cc engine 4 speed manual transmission.Starts, 1980 Triumph Spitfire Originally from Florida 1980 Triumph Spitfire seats gray, have black covers ne, 1975 Triumph spitfire, new top, color matched interior, inline 4 cylinder engine mated to a 4 speed, 1975 Triumph Spitfire 1500. The production design changed little from the prototype: the full-width rear bumper was replaced by two part-bumpers curving around each corner, with overriders. Swing-axle rear suspension works better than most think, especially in swing-spring form. It sold well in the US, where it was cheaper than a Midget; some have been imported to the UK. A rebuilt engine costs 1340. This extra clean Spitfire is rust free and has a comprehensive frame on restoration. During the restoration, a roll bar was installedand the seats werere-upholstered. A revised hardtop also became available, with rear quarter-lights and a flatter rear screen. Popular in street and rally racing, Spitfires won numerous SCCA National Sports Car Championships in F and G Production classes; won its class at the 1964 Tour de France rally, coming in second overall, and won the 1964 Geneva Rally. VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION; Vin Plate : Vehicle Number Location: Adjacent to the left hand door striker plate. Average cars sell for 3000-5000, with projects starting from around 1000. The repaintin Gunmetal Grey Metallic shows agood shine over a straight body. Thanks to its separate-chassis construction, Triumphs Herald provided the perfect platform from which to develop a new two-seater open-topped sportscar, even if the mechanicals were derived from the 1953 Standard Eight. The model was named after the famed Supermarine Spitfire fighter plane of World War II.[7]. Pioneer after market CD player with USB. Your CA Privacy Rights (Shine the Light) Full wheel covers of two styles were used including the 1969 introduced model with "SPITFIRE" circumscribing the hub and a unique derivative without the branding. Boosted to 903cc for 70, the rear-engined, Bertone-styled soft-top was only built in LHD. The most desirable Spitfires are those with odd numbers; the delicate and pretty Mk1, the powerful Mk3, and the usable 1500. The Sprite had used the drive train of the Austin A30/A35 in a lightweight. DAA Industry Opt Out When Leyland officials, taking stock of their new acquisition, found Michelotti's prototype under a dust sheet in a factory corner, it was quickly approved for production. One leaf of the suspension "stack" was eliminated and only the bottom leaf was attached rigidly to the differential. Michelottis clever MkIV restyle for the 70s helped the car last to late 1980 with the long-stroke 1493cc unit, kept in production like the Midget due to BLs inability to replace it. Viable projects can still be found for around 850. Keep a copy in your records or to share with others later, Search for prices of other cars, trucks, vans and motorcycles. The interior was revised to include a full-width dashboard, with instruments ahead of the driver rather than over the centre console, initially finished in black plastic and then from 1973 finished in wood. $16,995 Dealership CC-1714170 1977 Triumph Spitfire 1977 Triumph Spitfire Convertible Why This Car Is Special The 1977 Triumph Spitfire Convertible is a . The Herald's rack and pinion steering and coil-and-wishbone front suspension carried over, having derived from systems used by the former Alford & Alder company that had been acquired by Standard-Triumph in 1959. , a concours condition example, today will fetch about $16,500, as will the similar Mk Is and IIIs. Triumph 1973 Toledo 1500 - discontinued in October 1500 TC - new model in October Dolomite 2000 / 2.5PI Mk II Spitfire Mk IV GT6 Mk 3 - discontinued TR6 Stag Great Britain . Because the Spitfire was generally the most highly tuned of the lot, you need to make sure the engine fitted is the one that belongs there, as less powerful units are often substituted from other Triumph models. The worst case scenario is a rebuilt overdrive for around 250. 1978 Triumph Spitfire Conv, good older restoration, nice body, good original int, newer top, 4 cyl, 1979 Triumph Spitfire 1500 For SaleGet ready to take a step back in time with this stunning 1979 Tri, 1977 Triumph Spitfire 1500 Original 1500cc Engine in Excellent Running Condition. values them at just under $12,400 for a concours condition car. 1973 Triumph Spitfire 1500 73k mi 73,287 mi Redwood City, CA, USA. It claimed a top speed of 96 mph and a reduced 0 - 60 time of 14.8 seconds. Suspension: the rear suspension can also give problems, but its generally easy to overhaul, with one key exception; the wheel bearings. Private. Even with twin SU carbs, the Heralds tiny 1.1 liter engine made little power and the swing axle rear suspension made for potentially hazardous handling near the limit. Ruthin. In the UK the 9:1 compression ratio, less restrictive emissions control equipment, and the Type HS2 SU carburettors now being replaced with larger Type HS4 models,[1] led to the most powerful variant to date. 1962:Spitfire breaks cover, with 1147cc engine. The easiest way to check this is to push and pull on the front pulley; any detectable movement means possible disaster as the crankshaft and block could ultimately be wrecked. The engine was an 1,147cc (70.0cuin) four-cylinder with a pushrod OHV cylinder head and two valves per cylinder, using twin SU carburettors. The Austin-Healey Sprite had proven there was a demand for small cars with sporty intentions. CAR SPECIFICATIONS - TRIUMPH SPITFIRE MK IV 1971-1974 . [1], On 8 February 1968, Standard-Triumph general manager George Turnbull drove the 100,000th Triumph Spitfire off the Canley production line. [6] The MkIV was fitted with the same transmission, but with synchromesh on all ratios, while the 1500 received a Marina-derived unit, which is the most durable of all the gearboxes. I hope you enjoy these videos of me working on and playing with or driving my Triumph Spitfire . In March 1965 the Spitfire Mark II launched with a retuned engine, featuring a revised camshaft profile, water-heated intake manifold, and tubular exhaust manifold, increasing power to 67bhp (50kW) at 6,000 rpm. The result on all these cars was improved handling. BaT MOTO Alumni Gathering: May 6 at The Quail in Carmel, CARegister Now. This filter features a non-return valve to stop the oil draining back into the sump when the car is left; if theres much rattling when the car is started up, its because the crankshafts big-end bearings have had it, probably because the correct type of filter hasnt been fitted. WE VALUE YOUR FEEDBACK. Their high production numbers also mean that examples are relatively simple to locate. Are you looking to buy your dream classic car? A limited number of U.S. market 1970s were adorned with an RAF style "Spitfire" badge (U.K. models had a plain badge without the RAF roundel) that rested in the right corner (car opposing point of view) of the bonnet. Slightly revised bonnet pressings were carried over. If you don't win, the pre-authorization will be released. built 226,526 Mpg 30-42 0-60mph 12.3 secs Top speed 101mph Price new 928 (1971) Price now 3-5000+. $4,500. Unfortunately, the Spitfire fell victim to Triumph's existing financial troubles. These wear out and are a pain to remove as a press is needed. Flower Mound, TX, USA. Look for signs of overheating: recore the radiator every 10 years and youll have no problems. 1973 Triumph Spitfire This is a cosmetically freshened 1973 Triumph Spitfire 1500 that has been a rust-free California and Arizona car since new. Water in the sills: also take a look at the leading edge of each sill; theres a good chance of holes here. The hardtop was redesigned and improved. Australian Spitfire Colours, http://www.triumphspitfire.nl/salesliterature/IMG_0051.jpg, Triumph Spitfire Mk3 Overdrive (1967) Exterior and Interior in Full HD 3D, 2000 / 2300 / 2400 / 3500 / V8-S / Vitesse (SD1), https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Triumph_Spitfire&oldid=1149444813, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles with unsourced statements from July 2007, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, 1,568lb (711kg) to 1,750lb (790kg) (unladen U.K.spec), 4-speed manual with optional overdrive on top and third, This page was last edited on 12 April 2023, at 08:29. Your bid has been posted in the comment flow on the listing, and you can see other bids there as they happen. In its first iteration, the car was referred to as both the Spitfire Mk I and the Spitfire 4, in reference to the I4 powerplant. We introduce a new project and a new author as 2012-10-14er Tim Suddard's son, Tommy, tackles the restoration of the 1973 Triumph Spitfire on a teenagers budget. *Please note: All prices shown here are based on various data sources, as detailed in, Membership by Hagerty Drivers Club (HDC), a non-insurance subsidiary of The Hagerty Group, LLC. It produced 63 horsepower and 67 ft-lb. [1] Top speed was claimed to be 96mph (154km/h) and its 060mph time of 14.8 seconds was considered "lively". In 1965, a Spitfire won its class in the Alpine Rally. The mere mention of the early days of the European supercar conjures thoughts of, . Giovanni Michelotti, who had designed the Herald, styled the bodywork, which featured wind-up windows (in contrast to the Sprite and Midget, which used side curtains) and a cowl composed of the bonnet and wings that opened forward for engine access.
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