Triumph Spitfire

Triumph Spitfire CarsTriumph Spitfire MK IV Restoration Parts 6Picture Of Triumph Spitfire MK IV CarsTriumph Spitfire Cars MK IVRestoration Parts 6The main aim of the next part of the work is to remove various bits and pieces so that I can pull the engine and gearbox. When I first bought the car the first thing I did was change all the water hoses and clips so I removed these first carefully so that I could reuse them once the restoration was complete. As the hoses had only been on for about 6 months these came of nice and easily. With the hoses removed the next job was to take out the radiator which was a real pain, the bolts came out of the...

Triumph Spitfire MK IV Restoration Parts 5Picture Of Triumph Spitfire MK IV CarTriumph Spitfire MK IVRestoration Parts 5The bonnet had to be removed for repair of both the bonnet and the front of the chassis. To remove the bonnet the main lights have to be removed, so the wires and loom were labeled (I used inkjet avery labels as the stick to themselves well when wrapped around cables and once written on don't smudge).Once the lights and cowls are removed the only thing to do is to unbolt the four bolts in the bonnet boxes which are under the over-riders. Although the bonnet is quite large, it was light enough for the wife and I to lift clear...

Triumph Spitfire Cars Models Triumph Spitfire MK IV Restoration Parts 4Picture Of Triumph Spitfire MK IV CarTriumph Spitfire MK IVRestoration Triumph Cars Parts 4Let's start the renovation. In this series of articles did not try to teach you how to do things or recommend methods, I will document my experiences and how I wanted to do the things they were right or wrong I am sure that you get something from them.Before the start I have a lot of digital photos of reference, so that when it comes time to get all pieces that I have some idea where they then have to go all back together again. I also wrote a spreadsheet. I use the overview of all components...

Triumph Spitfire Cars Models Triumph Spitfire MK IV Restoration Parts 3Picture Of Triumph Spitfire Cars MK IVTriumph Spitfire Cars MK IVRestoration Triumph Cars Parts 3After the drive shaft was repaired and the interior back together, it was time for a test drive. What felt a difference the whole Triumph Spitfire cars is much smoother at all speeds and was able to cruise at 65 mph without any problems.A job that has traditionally required you to have all the classics I heard, to change the water hoses. It does not cost much to do and can really help with all the reliability on a hot summer day. I bought the pipe from the Moss kit for about £...

Used Classic Triumph Spitfire Cars Models Triumph Spitfire MK IV Restoration Parts 2Picture Of Classic Triumph Spitfire Cars Classic Triumph Spitfire CarsTriumph Spitfire Classic Cars Parts 1Over the next few weeks the cars was very reliable and great fun to drive as long as the speed was kept below 55. All the mechanical components were working fine, all the gears could be selected without any crunching, the engine was running smooth (as can be expected from this type of engine) and no oil was being burnt or dropped ( yes there was oil in the sump).Triumph Spitfire Cars what then that a new plan was formulated, instead of starting on the restoration...

Triumph Spitfire MK IV Restoration Parts 1Picture Of Triumph Spitfire MK IV CarTriumph Spitfire MK IVRestoration Parts 1The Car was bought from Sports Car Supplies near Newcastle in the North of England, with 12 months MOT and Tax. The intention was always to restore the Triumph Spitfire car, as having an MGBGT in fairly good order which only requires servicing and maintenance, a project Triumph Spitfire MK IV car would give me the chance to explore new avenues of the hobby. The fact the at project car was tax exempt and came with 12 months MOT was a bonus, as I could run the Spitfire car for a while to check the condition of main mechanical...

Triumph Spitfire Classic Cars - Spitfire 1500Picture Of Triumph Spitfire Classic CarsThe American market Spitfire 1500 is easily identified by the big plastic over-riders and wing mounted reflectors on the front and back wings. The US specification models up to 1978 still had chrome bumpers, but on the 1979 and 1980 models these were replaced by black rubber bumpers with built-in over-riders. Chassis extensions were also fitted under the boot to support the bumpers.Picture Of Triumph Spitfire Classic CarsDetail improvements continued to be made throughout the life of the Mark IV, and included reclining seats with "chequered brushed nylon centre...

Triumph Spitfire Classic Cars - Spitfire 1500Picture Of Triumph Spitfire Classic CarsIn 1973 in the United States & Canada and 1975 in the rest of the world, the 1500 engine was used to make the Spitfire 1500 though in this final incarnation the engine was rather rougher and more prone to failure than the earlier units, torque was greatly increased which made it much more drivable in traffic. The reason for the engine problems was due to continued use of three main bearings for the crank shaft.Picture Of Triumph Spitfire Classic CarsWhile the rest of the world saw 1500s with the compression ratio reduced to 8.0:1, the American market model...

Triumph Spitfire Classic Cars - Spitfire Mark IVPicture Of Triumph Spitfire Classic CarsAn all-new hardtop was also available, with rear quarter-lights and a flatter rear screen.By far the most significant change, however, was to the rear suspension, which was de-cambered and redesigned to eliminate the unfortunate tendencies of the original swing-axle design. The Triumph GT6 and Triumph Vitesse had already been modified, and the result on all these cars was safe and progressive handling even at the limit.Picture Of Triumph Spitfire Classic CarsThe Mark IV went on sale in the UK at the end of 1970 with a base price of £735.The History Of The...

Triumph Spitfire Classic Cars - Spitfire Mark IVPicture Of Triumph Spitfire Classic CarsThe Mark IV brought the most comprehensive changes to the Spitfire. It featured a completely re-designed cut-off rear end, giving a strong family resemblance to the Triumph Stag and Triumph 2000 models, both of which were also Michelotti-designed. The front end was also cleaned up, with a new bonnet pressing losing the weld lines on top of the wings from the older models, and the doors were given recessed handles and squared-off glass in the top rear corner. The interior was much improved: a proper full-width dashboard was provided, putting the instruments...

Triumph Spitfire Classic Cars - Spitfire Mark IIIPicture Of 1962 Triumph Spitfire Classic CarsOn 8 February 1968, Standard-Triumph General Manager George Turnbull personally drove the 100,000th Triumph Spitfire off the end of the Canley production line. More than 75% of the total production had been exported outside the UK including 45% to the USA and 25% to mainland European markets.Picture Of Triumph Spitfire Classic CarsStarting in 1969, however, US-bound models had to be changed to comply with new safety/emission regulations. It basically ended an era and you may hear models after 1969 be referred to as "federal" Spitfires. The changes included...

Triumph Spitfire Classic Cars - Spitfire Mark IIIPicture Of Triumph Spitfire Classic CarsThe Mark III, introduced in March 1967, was the first major facelift to the Spitfire. The front bumper was raised in response to new crash regulations, and although much of the bonnet pressing was carried over, the front end looked quite different. The rear lost the overriders from the bumper but gained reversing lights as standard (initially as two separate lights on either side of the number plate, latterly as a single light in a new unit above the number plate) the interior was improved again with a wood-veneer instrument surround. A folding hood replaced...

Triumph Spitfire Classic Cars - Spitfire Mark IIPicture Of Triumph Spitfire Classic CarsIn March 1965 the Spitfire Mark II was released and was very similar to the Mark I but featured a more highly tuned engine, through a revised camshaft design, a water cooled intake manifold and tubular exhaust manifold, increasing the power to 67 bhp (50 kW) at 6000 rpm.This improved the top speed to 92 mph (148 km/h). The coil-spring design clutch of the Mark I was replaced with a Borg and Beck diaphragm spring clutch. The exterior trim was modified with a new grille and badges. The interior trim was improved with redesigned seats and by covering most of...

Triumph Spitfire Classic Cars - Spitfire 4 or Mark IPicture Of Triumph Spitfire Classic CarsThe production car changed little from the prototype, although the full-width rear bumper was dropped in favour of two part-bumpers curving round each corner, with overriders. Mechanics were basically stock Herald components: The engine was a 4-cylinder of 1147 cc, mildly tuned for the Spitfire with twin SU carburettors. Also from the Herald came the rack and pinion steering and coil-and-wishbone front suspension up front, and at the rear a single transverse-leaf swing axle arrangement. This ended up being the most controversial part of the car: it was...

Triumph Spitfire Classic Cars - ModelPicture Of Triumph Spitfire Mark III Classic CarsModels Five separate Spitfire models were sold during the production runModel name Engine Year Number built Triumph Spitfire 4 (Mark I) 1147 cc inline 4 1962–1965 45,763 Triumph Spitfire Mark II 1147 cc inline 4 1965–1967 37,409 Triumph Spitfire Mark III 1296 cc inline 4 1967–1970 65,320 Triumph Spitfire Mark IV 1296 cc inline 4 1970–1974 70,021 Triumph Spitfire 1500 1493 cc inline 4 1974–1980 95,829The History Of The Triumph Spitfire Classic CarsA Brief History - Triumph Spitfire Cars Part...

Triumph Spitfire Cars Of The Origins TriumphPicture Of Triumph Spitfire CarsThe Triumph Spitfire was originally devised by Standard-Triumph to compete in the small sports car market which had opened up with the introduction of the Austin-Healey Sprite. The Sprite had used the basic drive train of the Austin A30/35 in a light body to make up a budget sports car. Triumph's idea was to use the mechanics from their small saloon, the Triumph Herald, to underpin the new project. Triumph had one advantage, however; where the Austin A30 range was of unitary construction, the Herald featured a separate chassis; it was Triumph's intention therefore to...

A Brief History - Triumph Spitfire CarsPicture Of triumph spitfire 1500 CarsIn 1965 the Mark II model was launched, and its engine now produced 67bhp due to a revised camshaft and four branch exhaust manifold. A diaphragm spring clutch was now also fitted. Exterior modifications on the Mk II included a redesigned front grill and emblems on the rear wings, whilst the interior benefited from improved seats, and carpets replaced the earlier models rubber matting. Further improvements were to come with the Mk III which arrived in 1967, the most obvious being styling changes which included a new design of raised front bumper to comply with USA regulations....

A Brief History - Triumph Spitfire CarsPicture Of triumph spitfire MKIII CarsTriumph had not failed to notice the success of the Austin Healey Sprite, and wanted a small sports car of their own to capture a share of this market. The result was the Triumph Spitfire introduced in 1962. It was an eye-catching two-seater sports car based on a modified Triumph Herald chassis with most of its mechanical components also coming from the Herald. The renowned Italian designer Michelotti had been instrumental in styling the Spitfires sleek bodywork.Picture Of 1972 triumph spitfireCarsThe first Spitfire to go on sale was powered by the 1147cc Herald engine...

The History Of The Triumph Spitfire Classic CarsPicture of Triumph Spitfire MkIIIThe Triumph Spitfire was a small British two-seat sports car, introduced in October 1962. This beautiful little sports car was styled by the Italian stylist Michelotti. Initially based on the Triumph Herald mechanicals the Spitfire competed successfully in rallies in Europe and was raced in North America. The Triumph Spitfire was rivalled by the MG Midget but most observers feel that the Spitfire was a more sophisticated car with its fully independent...