[zipedit] TRIUMPH SPITFIRE 1500 - 1977 (S)I am offering for sale my 1977 Triumph Spitfire 1500. I am not a motor trader, this is my personal car which I have owned for 30 years and this is a private sale.Key points: - 1977 Triumph Spitfire 1500 - DVLA "historic vehicle" - MOT exempt and £0 historic car tax - Last owner (me) for 30 years - Full nut & bolt rebuild 1992-2001 including bare metal re-spray - Mostly original but with some minor modifications - Restored to a high standard, but now requires re-commissioning (lack of use) and some tidying. - No perforating corrosion or filler anywhere, restoration was comprehensive with many new panels - Had 89,000 miles when taken off road, now showing 9,000 miles (speedometer replaced)Where to start?I bought this car as a project in 1992 when I was working in the motor trade. The intention was to tidy it up and get it on the road for the next summer. Over the next 9 years the car was restored. What actually happened was I spent many hours fabricating repair panels and welding, and then as my career progressed and I had more funds available I started cutting out those repairs and buying whole new panels. The car was finally finished in 2001.The rebuild was as comprehensive as it gets going to nut and bolt level - all "sacrificial" components were replaced with new (bearings, bushes, springs, etc.) and most fasteners (buts & bolts) replaced.Here's a broad description of the work done:Body - the following body panels were replaced with new steel panels (genuine where available) (working from the rear of the car to front) - rear valance, rear lamp panel, boot floor, rear inner wings lower, rear wings, rear inner wheel arches, rear outer wheel arches, door skins, door bottom repairs, outer sills, middle sills, inner sill, full floor panels RH & LH, A-post lower, A-post filler, A-post closer, both front valances (GRP) and finally a complete British Motor Heritage Bonnet assembly including front wings and wheel arches. Full bare metal re-spray in Triumph Signal Red (ST32) (car was originally brown, colour on V5 has been updated). The re-spray was total and the underside of the car is body colour. Where access was possible the car was rebuilt using a professional bodyshop spot welder - there was very little drilling & plugging with a MIG.Mechanical - the following work was done - Full engine rebuild with a re-bore, new pistons, bearings, re-ground crank, seals, oil pump, timing chain, etc. Gearbox with overdrive, propshaft and rear differential from a 55k miles car. All suspension replaced (Spax adjustable shock absorbers), wheel bearings replaced, brakes overhauled/replaced, etc. New radiator, hoses etc. New alternator, clutch etc. It drives very well with no knocks or noises and all gears, clutch, overdrive, etc. work as they should.Modifications - Spax adjustable shock absorbers x4, Phoenix 4-2-1 stainless steel exhaust & manifold (the manifold is drilled and tapped for lambda sensors on No. 2 & No. 3 cylinders), carburetors de-waxstat & AAR needles, K&N air filters, cylinder head blueprinted and opened up to gasket line, Kent TH275 fast road camshaft.Please note the cylinder head has not been modified for unleaded fuel, I've been using an additive. As a result of the camshaft upgrade it has quite a lumpy, burbling tickover which sounds good but might not be to everyone's liking.Interior - new carpet, original houndstooth seats intact and good condition, extra courtesy lights.Other - electronic flasher, Land Rover Defender Halogen headlights (WIPAC) with sidelights & DRL's.Issues to look at:- On the front A-post closure panels and lower bulkhead paint is peeling from areas where stonechip was applied under the paint. These areas where re-painted in 2006 and a 2K etch primer was used which I think has caused it (albeit 15 years later...)- There is a minor leak of gearbox oil from the rear output shaft seal. This is only noticeable because it occasionally drips onto the exhaust and you can smell it (the seal is a cheap part and very easy to change) but it is slight and it doesn't puddle the garage floor.- The car has been in dry storage for circa 4 years and now needs servicing, checking over and re-commissioning. As a minimum it needs an engine service (plug, points, oil), a carb clean and tune-up, and and the brakes checking over. It still drives well but feels down on power, the brake is binding slightly on one of the rear wheels and occasionally binds on one of the front wheels. A full brake fluid flush is due.- There's a small amount of solvent pop or dimpling on the rear bootlid - this has appeared whilst the car was in storage in the past 5 years, not sure why.- The car had a new roof but it's a bit creased as I've never really put it up - car has only been used on dry days. A good clean and TLC should sort. - The battery is dead. It will come with another good battery but it's the wrong size and the battery clamp doesn't fit. - Some of the paintwork is a little dull but there's a minimum of 5 coats of cellulose on each panel so it will very easily polish up to a high standard.- There will be other minor issuesAs the car has been stood for 4 years and consequently has long term storage related issues, I am selling it on the basis of a project that needs re-commissioning and therefore not road worthy. Prospective purchasers are advise to arrange for it to be transported. But that said days mechanical work and a days paint work will get it back to good condition. A weeks' work and it will be amazing again.To be clear though this is a thoroughly restored vehicle and with a little TLC will give many years of enjoyment without any major investment other than regular servicing. This is not an old nail full of filler and welded in patches, it's bodywork is probably 60-70% new panels by weight. It was never a concourse restoration, I was aiming to build a usable, reliable everyday classic.Reason for sale is as I've got older I've fallen out of love with the classic experience and I just don't love it like I used to - I have owned this car for more than half my life. These days I've gone soft and I prefer heated leather seats and a bigger car comfort. Hence it rarely gets used now, so it's time to let someone else have some fun with it. That said though I am in no hurry or nor is there a need to sell it - I have the space to keep it warm and dry for years to come so I'm not interested in any quick sale offers. I'd rather wait three months but know it will go to a loving home, perhaps someone else who had one in their youth...It will be sold with a number of boxes of spares (mostly old, second hand) and my sincere best wishes.
Terms & Conditions - PLEASE READThis is private sale of my own vehicle, as such no warranty is offered or implied, prospective purchasers should assess the condition themselves and suitability for their needs. Any engineers inspection is welcomed and will be facilitated. This car has had a thorough body and mechanical restoration but due to being in storage for a number of years it now requires servicing and re-commissioning - until this has been completed it should be regarded as not road worthy and buyers are advised to remove by trailer etc. No delivery is offered - buyer to make own arrangements.Car will be released when full payment has been made into my bank account by bank transfer - no other form of payment will be accepted (no cash, no paypal, no credit cards).V5 available for inspection, keeper details will be updated on DVLA online portal within one working day of sale.Full receipt will be given, no returns accepted.Please see photo gallery below, the last four are from the restoration and when the car was first completed (it had MX-5 seats then, now it has Triumph original). Apart from a quick wash of the exterior, the car is as it was when it came out of long term storage in August this year - it's not been tarted up - what you see it what you get. Please check my feedback - I don't mess people about.
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