1970 Triumph Spitfire

1970 Triumph Spitfire mkIII Right Hand Drive.

Two-seater convertible, red with black interior, black roof. 4sp manual + overdrive.

Car starts, stops, runs OK, but probably a project, and has some things you'll want to take care of, like overdrive not engaging, weak handbrake, faded, patchy paint, interior patchy in places.  Even in its current condition the car draws attention, smiles, and conversation everywhere I go.

Selling to make garage space.

UK car, was a budget restoration performed by my father in the UK. I acquired the car in 2006 and brought the car with me to California in 2008. Car is now in Bethesda, MD.

Odometer: 29044 mi - probably plus 100k.

Original 1300cc engine, now with Newton electronic distributor. Twin SU carbs, with K&N air filter boxes.

Transmission: 4sp manual + overdrive (OD not working currently)

Known history:

2006: UK road-worthy (passed the stringent UK MOT safety test for all cars)

2007: Coolant pump failed. I had the car repaired at a UK Triumph specialist, and again the car passed the MOT test (Dec 2007)

2008: Car shipped to California

2009: Overdrive stopped working. Transmission was rebuilt by a Triumph specialist in Stockton CA

Car ran without any significant issues until in about 2015.

2015: Overdrive stopped working again

2016: Car shipped to MD. Car registered in MD as a historic vehicle

More info:

The odometer reads about 29k miles. It's very likely that the car has been "round the clock" and this is 129k miles. The car starts and runs OK. I use the car for short local errands, approx weekly, typically no more than 10 miles at a time. The only other mechanical problem in addition to the overdrive, is that the handbrake is not strong - doesn't adequately hold the car on its own, and for a very steep hill-start, takes some arm strength to hold the car.

Car has aftermarket electronic ignition (Newton).  I still have the original distributor rotor arm - included. Badge on trunk isn't from a mk3. New, large battery. Carb air filters are K&N, and slightly larger than originals (which I still have and will include).

At some point in its history, the car's chassis had to have welding done to fix, and at some point the passenger door seems to have been trimmed at the front edge. Dashboard gauges and indicator lights may be a mix of original/replacement (I also have extras/originals - not sure which). Turn signal green repeater is messy - not a proper lens.

Lots of repairs, bodywork, repainting, done before my ownership. Current paint not great: bubbles, and some rust in a couple of places, like rear lower fender areas. Chrome parts are pitted.

Very slow oil leak from engine (approx 5 drops per month). Very slow leak probably from gearbox (approx 2 drops per month).

Includes lots of spare parts - gaskets, hoses, brake pads, other components, and shop supplies.

Also includes restoration manual, service manual, original Triumph workshop manual, plus other Spitfire books.

Want to buy this car?