1972 Triumph Spitfire

In gleaming bright red. this Spitfire is a real head-turner. Men and boys literally stop in the street to look at it!
I bought this little car when my then 16 year old son wanted a project car. It was bought as a failed restoration. and was to be his first car. All the bodywork and paintwork had already been done. We took it home and spent nearly 12 months getting it back on the road. fitting many new and many re-conditioned items. It has been tastefully upgraded to provide some modern comforts. but retains the essential elements of classic motoring. The body and chassis remain a credit to the work performed by the previous owner. who sold the car following a divorce. house move and all the rest that divorce often entails. Having now seen many Spitfires. I can honestly say that it is far better than many that are offered for sale.  
The car has been fitted with a 1500cc engine and gearbox. The seats are MX 5 items. Their upholstery is perfect. with no obvious wear or cigarette burns. Although somewhat higher than the original Triumph items. they are far more comfortable. We fitted upgraded twin 4" JVC speakers in each headrest. linked in to the modern stereo fitted to the dashboard. Until you have heard ACDC or Motorhead played 2 inches from each ear. and felt the vibrations run down your back you have never lived - no. I hadn't either but my son soon taught me! Whilst I could not bring myself to drill a hole for the aerial. so the radio does not work. it plays CD'd and accepts MPS/USB stick and has the essential bluetooth phone reception The black plastic dash has been replaced with a brand new wooden dash together with chrome dial instruments. The dash is actually from a GT6. although we didn't realise this at the time. but is fitted with the additional eye-ball air vents. These have all the correct hoses and junctions as per the GT6. Only those who have ever messed with these will realise the effort (and lack of space) required to get them operative! Despite not having much money. my son bought not only the dash. but the gorgeous wooden steering wheel. and the wooden gear knob.  
The car was originally fitted with the 1300cc engine and didn't run. I got it running and replaced the head with an unleaded head bought off Ebay. This was the only time I have been 'done' on this site. as it turned out to be cracked. I then bought a 1500cc engine and gearbox thinking they were a straight fit. They weren't. but after a lot of learning and effort. they were in and working! I pulled the head off to check but there was no evident wear to the pistons and bores. Likewise the gearbox is good. It selects gear crisply and there is no jumping out of gear or anything like that.  
The real disaster came after my son passed his test. They changed the rules on classic car insurance. and instead of the £800 it used to take to insure him. he could no longer get insurance. The end result is that in the two or so years in which we have had it on the road. it has only done some 600 or so miles.
Being first constructed prior to 1973 it benefits from free tax. and comes with 12 months M o T. It has been gradually upgraded every year we have owned it. and the list of new items is endless. It has had copper brake pipes. stainless steel braided brake hoses. reconditioned calipers. new pads and brake shoes. new brake master cylinder. new brake cylinders (I think - I can't remember. ). New clutch. new master cylinder. re-conditioned slave cylinder. new steering rack. new track rod ends. new top steering bushes. new electronic distributor. coil. and leads. new battery. new silicon hoses. new alloy wheels with Avon tyres. new silencer. custom stainless steel engine boards. some new switchgear. new fog light. ew floor mats. new halogen headlights. the list goes on.
It is not perfect. there are still a couple of jobs to do. There is a small rip in the soft top that needs sewing. Yes. alright. It was me that pulled it too hard and ripped it. There is a small leak from the diff seal.  
This beautiful car is for sale because my son has decided that he likes my Mustang. which is for sale. more than the Spitfire. (although he can't use either for at least 12 months). The car comes with a hoard of used spares. which includes two intact but partially dismantled engines. two gearboxes. two sets of carburetors. two inlet and two exhaust manifolds. a Lenham(?) hard top which is fitted. a bare rust free steel hard top with. I think. two complete sets of glass. There are loads of other bits as well.
This is an honest little car. Please come and see the car so you know exactly what you are buying. I won't be here next weekend. but my son may be. If you are interested. you are welcome to ring me on 07717 337 398. Payment is required within a week of buying the car. and cash preferred. but obviously the car will not be released until the monies have cleared.    
 

Also published at eBay.co.uk

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