1970 Triumph Spitfire Mk. 3 Roadster. *OVER 40 PHOTOS*

1970 Triumph Spitfire Mk3 Roadster.

BODY STRUCTURE & PAINT:

Finished in gleaming Old English White paint. structurally the car is nice and solid in the usual rot spots. All the body panels are in good condition and the cars body and chassis  is solid underneath. During the course of its 46 year life it has been subject to repairs and remedial work where necessary and this seems to my untrained eye to have been to a good standard. Overall. the paintwork is bright and shiny and polishes up well. There are of course some minor bubbles and imperfections here and there but they don't detract too much from what is otherwise a nice little car. As you can see in the photos the door fit is not the best to be completely honest. However. this does seem to be about par for the course with spitfires. The only ones I've seen with perfect door fit have come with asking prices north of 10k and I'm certainly not expecting anything like that.
In summary. it's a nice honest little car. It's a long way from perfect but it is an awful lot of fun and drives nicely for something that is almost 50 years old.  

INTERIOR & TRIM:

The interior is in very nice condition. The seats have been re-trimmed in red leather and the door cards are original red vinyl. The carpets have recently been replaced and the car also benefits from a brand new set of modern retractable seatbelts to improve safety. The dash has a lovely wooden insert and that is in nice condition. There is no radio. but you've got a nice rorty exhaust note to keep you entertained anyway.
   Everything works as it should do not that there's an awful lot to go wrong as these cars are very simple. The seat fore and aft mechanism works well – I know these have a tendancy to seize up through lack of use but they are nice and free on this particular example.

The hood and hood frame are both in good functional order. There was a little damage to the quarter windows that has been repaired. If you are picky then you will want to replace the roof.   I didn't see the point in replacing it as I've had no intention of using the car in the rain. If you were to get caught out in a shower it would keep you dry. The only real fault with it is a little excess glue around the quarter windows.

ENGINE & DRIVETRAIN:

the proven Triumph 1300cc engine coupled to the original 3-syncro manual 4 speed non overdrive gearbox. making for the most pure driving experience a spitfire can offer.  

It has never overheated. even in heavy traffic and the engine makes good oil pressure and the tappets have recently been adjusted. The gearbox is in excellent condition. works effectively and changes up and down smoothly. The clutch is smooth and progressive and has plenty of life left in it. There is no synchro on first gear so you must either double declutch when shifting from 2nd to 1st or make sure you come to a complete stop before selecting first otherwise there will be a crunch. This is not a fault – just a design feature of pre-war technology.  

There are no untoward clunks. knocks. bangs. rattles or noises and the car drives exactly as it should. The steering is very precise and not at all heavy at low speeds like some Spitfires can be.

ELECTRICS:

Everything works correctly – not that there's an awful lot to go wrong on these early Spitfires. Even the heater works well!

BRAKES AND SUSPENSION:

The suspension is very tight and responsive. All dampers are leak free and work correctly. A spare pair of rear dampers will come with the car. All importantly the car stops very well. despite being a non-servo assisted model

WHEELS & TYRES:

The wheels are the original pressed steel type with chrome hubcaps and stainless embellisher rings. The tyres all have plenty of tread left and are in good condition.

BRIGHTWORK & EXTERIOR TRIM:

The chrome work is all in good. original condition. It has. of course. aged somewhat and has a great patina. adding to the charm and character of this lovely example of a 60's sports car. The rear bumpers are nice and shiny however the front bumper is in desperate need of re-chroming. It looks shiny in the picture but the chrome has been polished through to the nickel layer underneath. The car does come with an additional pair of very racy looking quarter bumpers that you can fit instead and these are bright and shiny. The front bumper is nice and straight and wouldn't be too expensive to have re-chromed. It is an original part so will fit better than a repro bumper.

PAPERWORK:

The car is MOT'd until 12th April 2017 and is taxed for 11 months. There were no advisory's issued with the current MOT certificate. and I see no reason why the car shouldn't fly through it's next MOT.
Being a 1970 model. the car is of course tax exempt – it's a lovely feeling walking into the post office without having to get your wallet out!

We have a large box file containing some recent paper work and invoices for work on the car and the current registration certificate (V5c) is present and correctly registered to me at my address.

SUMMARY:

To Summarise. this Spitfire is a very honest. well-loved example of the marque. It has been maintained to a good standard and has had much money lavished on it in the past. It needs nothing more than using and enjoying over the coming summer months with the hood down or represents an ideal base upon which to improve. Whilst there are some cosmetic imperfections it is an excellent drivers car and an awful lot of fun.

THE AUCTION & SALE:

The car is being sold with a 99p starting price and so represents an opportunity to grab a very honest and genuine car at a bargain price.
We would highly encourage interested parties to come and view the car prior to bidding. Please remember this is a 46 year old car - there will naturally be dings. marks and imperfections that a camera won't pick up. Whilst the car is in good condition. it is not perfect. You are NOT bidding on a brand new car and neither is this a 100 point concourse example. We believe we have provided a fair and honest description. but naturally any seriously interested parties will want to view the car and make up their own minds before placing a bid.

Payment will be cash upon collection. The car will not be released without receipt of cleared funds - no exceptions.
The car must be collected within 7 days of the auction ending. unless prior arrangements are made before the close of the auction.
International bidders are welcome provided you contact us first and are prepared to make your own arrangements to collect the vehicle from my address.
The car is not advertised elsewhere - it will go to the highest bidder.  

Please feel free to contact us on 01773 860 334 or 0777-9444-318 if you have any further questions or to arrange a viewing.

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