Triumph Spitfire 1500 - Tax Exempt

1976 'Early' Triumph Spitfire 1500. Manual with fully operational overdrive on 3rd and 4th gears. First registered 1st January 1976. the car was supplied by Arnold G. Wilson of Leeds. and built during September 1975 - The vehicle is classed as 'Historic' and is therefore tax exempt.
I am the 10th registered keeper of this car.
This 2-seater convertible is fun to drive and quite economical. and has plenty of MOT certificates and history dating back to 1988 when the car had done around 109000 miles.
The car is 40 years old. and in some areas this shows.  Body wise. it is suffering from very little rust. zeibarted from new but there are areas that could be improved. Paint wise. not the original Pimento. as originally supplied and could do with addressing - there are areas of bubbling (not rust etc)Under the car is quite solid. with surface rust to the chassis - a quite simple job to sort out. Looking through the invoices that came with the car. I see it has had work done in the past. replacement wings and sills etc.  Everything seems to be quite straight. the drivers door gap could do with adjustments.
Supplied with a steel hard-top which again needs cosmetic work. rust patches - these appear to be only surface and not suffering from perforation. overspray. rubbers etc. The soft vinyl top again needs a little TLC. not quite fitting correctly and would appear to have shrunk over the last 20 years or so when it was fitted.  The frame is straight and just needs tidying / painting.
The car had an original hood cover (the datestamp on this confirms the build date of 1975)
The interior is ok. having just had new seat foams and vinyl seat covers fitted.  To be honest. I think they need slight adjustments. but they are much better than the houndstooth covers the car had in earlier this year!
When driving. the interior got really hot even with the heater switched off.  A previous owner had the gearbox cover replaced. but it hadn't been sealed or fixed in place.  I have now done this and it keeps really cool.  BTW the heater does work.
Carpets are only OK. door cards ok. Brand new sun visors
All dials and gauges work. fitted with an AM/FM radio cassette player. very 1980's!
Mechanically.
Fitted with a YC. HE engine (from a dolomite??) so it's not original
Just completed a cylinder head de-carbonisation and replaced 1 exhaust valve and a guide (new gaskets and seals throughout)Full stainless steel exhaust system. which sounds awesome. Cooling system flush and anti-freeze added for full protection. pgraded re-conditioned full width 'STANPART' radiator. coolant pipes replaced where required and new clips fitted. as the car used to run really hot.
It is however a little smokey under hard acceleration.
The differential leaks oil.  I thought i had cured this by freeing off the breather.  It stopped for a while and has started again.
Previously. the gearbox was re-conditioned and a new clutch fitted and at the same time. the crankshaft was re-ground and new bearings / shells fitted.
The carburettors have been refurbished. along with the Master brake and clutch reservoirs.
Under the bonnet is a little scruffy and shouldn't take too much to make it presentable. likewise the very small boot area which houses the spare wheel.
It would appear the front brakes are binding slightly. partially seized calipers.
There is a squeak from the rear suspension.
Summing up. it drives really well and with a bit of time / TLC it could well be worth upto £5000 at the right time of year.
Four good tyres on GT6 wheels with chrome finishers and red painted centres
A car that has to be seen to be really appreciated.
Having said all of that. there is probably something i've forgotton - I will update and amend as and when.
If you are on the lookout for a true British sports car with loads of character. this could be for you!
The car stands me @ around the £3300 mark. and it's probably the wrong time of year to sell. but I once again need the space.
There are loads of spares with the car. and even a spare engine which if required. could be negotiated into the deal?
As you can see. i've started the bidding at £0. 99.  There is no reserve on the car and I reserve the right to end the auction early. Payment (if it sells. ) to be made upon collection - the car can be driven away.
Evening viewings are available after 6PM
Call / txt on 07585704632 and we'll see what we can do>>> 

Also published at eBay.co.uk

Want to buy this car?