Is a Spitfire the car for us?
Discussion
Hi all,
The missus came up with a great idea the other day - lets buy a little classic convertible for the summer!
I've always liked the Spitfire and thoughts instantly came to a 1500 Spit! I did look at MGB's, which I feel are overpriced, and Midgets, which I'm not keen on, so its down to the Spit representing the smaller car choices, against a TVR S2 or S3 representing something slightly larger.
I really really like the Spit's styling, and think my ideal one would have a rollbar, a couple of those retro-look bucket seats and a nice, throaty stainless steel exhaust with Cerbera-esque tailpipes!
What we'd use the car for is general summer fun and probably a drive into Europe once a summer for a week or so. How would the Spit cope with this kind of work? Are they a relatively comfy long distance cruiser?
Also, if we went along the lines of modernising one a bit, what are the costs involved. I love the look of them with the Minilite wheels and a roll bar, so how much should I budget for this with some decent suspension and brakes too?
Also, how much can you pick a Spitfire up for? Are they cheap and easy to maintain/insure? And will my gf, who's a relatively inexperienced driver, be ok in this and perhaps get on better with this rather than a TVR S2?
Cheers for any advice - and please feel free to post pics to convince me this is the way to go!!
The missus came up with a great idea the other day - lets buy a little classic convertible for the summer!
I've always liked the Spitfire and thoughts instantly came to a 1500 Spit! I did look at MGB's, which I feel are overpriced, and Midgets, which I'm not keen on, so its down to the Spit representing the smaller car choices, against a TVR S2 or S3 representing something slightly larger.
I really really like the Spit's styling, and think my ideal one would have a rollbar, a couple of those retro-look bucket seats and a nice, throaty stainless steel exhaust with Cerbera-esque tailpipes!
What we'd use the car for is general summer fun and probably a drive into Europe once a summer for a week or so. How would the Spit cope with this kind of work? Are they a relatively comfy long distance cruiser?
Also, if we went along the lines of modernising one a bit, what are the costs involved. I love the look of them with the Minilite wheels and a roll bar, so how much should I budget for this with some decent suspension and brakes too?
Also, how much can you pick a Spitfire up for? Are they cheap and easy to maintain/insure? And will my gf, who's a relatively inexperienced driver, be ok in this and perhaps get on better with this rather than a TVR S2?
Cheers for any advice - and please feel free to post pics to convince me this is the way to go!!
Have you ever thought about the Tr7??
If you want a bit of go you could always look at a TR7 V8 with a nice 3.5 V8 under the bonnet
More Comfortable and user friendly that a spit
And much cheaper too
I have had 2 TR7 my current one is a 2.0L with 20,000 miles on it
And even with the 2.0L has more power than expected
Every body said to be “Oh a tr7 nothing but bother “
Well I say B*ll*cks to them I have had one for 9 to 10 years and there are Great
My Mate’s car has a 4,0L injection in his from a TVR..
Just a thought ..
you can see my car in my profile
If you want a bit of go you could always look at a TR7 V8 with a nice 3.5 V8 under the bonnet
More Comfortable and user friendly that a spit
And much cheaper too
I have had 2 TR7 my current one is a 2.0L with 20,000 miles on it
And even with the 2.0L has more power than expected
Every body said to be “Oh a tr7 nothing but bother “
Well I say B*ll*cks to them I have had one for 9 to 10 years and there are Great
My Mate’s car has a 4,0L injection in his from a TVR..
Just a thought ..
you can see my car in my profile
Edited by stevie_a on Wednesday 2nd January 19:57
restoman - spot on (chrome M3 mirrors aside 
)! Whats the spec please? And roughly how much would it cost to take a standard, solid Spit 1500 to that sort of level - i.e. suspension, brakes, exhaust, alloys and tyres, etc all upgraded?
Plus - more pics please!!!
Cheers!
)! Whats the spec please? And roughly how much would it cost to take a standard, solid Spit 1500 to that sort of level - i.e. suspension, brakes, exhaust, alloys and tyres, etc all upgraded?Plus - more pics please!!!
Cheers!
Edited by Mike_C on Wednesday 2nd January 20:33
Spec is fairly standard but it's had a pretty penny spent on it:
Stripped to bare chassis, new front wing panels (bonnet sides), front inner and outer arch panels, new inner, middle and outer sills, new floorpans, new door skins, new rear wings, new rear inner arches, new rear valance, new boot (f/glass)
New seats, carpet and trim, rebuilt engine, new brakes, suspension, steering rack, rewired.....you get the picture....
Edited by restoman on Wednesday 2nd January 20:48
Wow, lot of work gone into it then!!
Where's the best place to buy uprated Spitfire parts from, such as suspension, exhausts systems, roll cages and the like?
Also, I've heard the rear suspension is the Spit's biggest downfall; can this be replaced? I'm shaw I saw some Spax adjustables for the rear the other day...
Where's the best place to buy uprated Spitfire parts from, such as suspension, exhausts systems, roll cages and the like?
Also, I've heard the rear suspension is the Spit's biggest downfall; can this be replaced? I'm shaw I saw some Spax adjustables for the rear the other day...
Theres litteraly hundreds of places for spares.
CanleyClassics.com are the best
Rimmerbros.co.uk
moss-europe.co.uk
chicdoig.com
are the biggest.
Spitfire 1500s are spot on best value classics you can buy at the moment.
heres mine before the rebuild:
Your main problem is wrot, you need to find a structurally sound one with no rust and your laughing.
mine looked ok but so far the only body panel i have kept is the bonnet.
Engine is away having race rebuild done before we turbo charge it next winter
CanleyClassics.com are the best
Rimmerbros.co.uk
moss-europe.co.uk
chicdoig.com
are the biggest.
Spitfire 1500s are spot on best value classics you can buy at the moment.
heres mine before the rebuild:
Your main problem is wrot, you need to find a structurally sound one with no rust and your laughing.
mine looked ok but so far the only body panel i have kept is the bonnet.
Engine is away having race rebuild done before we turbo charge it next winter
Price
You can pick a Spitfire 1500 up from around £600 for a basket case, or £2000 for rough but MOTable car.
Don't (unless that's your budget of course).
Spend more like £5000 on a perfect condition car - that the person your buying from spent £10,000 getting it up to there from a £2000 car!
Long Distance Cruiser
The Spitfire CAN be a nice long distance cruiser (make sure you go for/fit an overdrive gearbox for more relaxed cruising) but looking at your other mods be VERY picky about the exhaust you fit - many of the sports exhausts are a little on the loud side. Personally I wouldn't have it any other way but it makes conversation a little tricky (that may or may not be a bad thing).
Other than the noise I use my car more or less year-round and it's made the run to Le Mans and back for the last 4 years and never missed a beat.
Maintainance
Provided you've gone for a car in good condition (at least mechanically) and you follow the regular servicing they don't need too much time/money. Parts a cheap anyway.
Insurance
To give you some idea I've got fully comp., unlimited mileage, free green card for up to 60 days in a row, free breakdown cover, aged 34 and living in central London - from memory sub-£200...for 2 Triumphs.
Modernisation
Minilite's - £250-£300/set
'Standard' suspensions upgrade - £250 (uprated front springs/adjustable shocks all around)
Suppliers
In addition to those Mattius listed...
Jigsawracingservices.co.uk - parts
jyclassics.co.uk - servicing/restoration/car sales - and only 'down the road' from you (High Whycombe).
You can pick a Spitfire 1500 up from around £600 for a basket case, or £2000 for rough but MOTable car.
Don't (unless that's your budget of course).
Spend more like £5000 on a perfect condition car - that the person your buying from spent £10,000 getting it up to there from a £2000 car!
Long Distance Cruiser
The Spitfire CAN be a nice long distance cruiser (make sure you go for/fit an overdrive gearbox for more relaxed cruising) but looking at your other mods be VERY picky about the exhaust you fit - many of the sports exhausts are a little on the loud side. Personally I wouldn't have it any other way but it makes conversation a little tricky (that may or may not be a bad thing).
Other than the noise I use my car more or less year-round and it's made the run to Le Mans and back for the last 4 years and never missed a beat.
Maintainance
Provided you've gone for a car in good condition (at least mechanically) and you follow the regular servicing they don't need too much time/money. Parts a cheap anyway.
Insurance
To give you some idea I've got fully comp., unlimited mileage, free green card for up to 60 days in a row, free breakdown cover, aged 34 and living in central London - from memory sub-£200...for 2 Triumphs.
Modernisation
Minilite's - £250-£300/set
'Standard' suspensions upgrade - £250 (uprated front springs/adjustable shocks all around)
Suppliers
In addition to those Mattius listed...
Jigsawracingservices.co.uk - parts
jyclassics.co.uk - servicing/restoration/car sales - and only 'down the road' from you (High Whycombe).
Edited by //j17 on Thursday 3rd January 10:20
Mike_C said:
Cheers for any advice
I wrote a fairly lengthy web page about this: http://triumphspitfire.nl/buyersguide.htmlYou may find the definitive answer to the question in your subject in this flowchart (pdf file): http://triumphspitfire.nl/triumph_spitfire_buying....
Good luck!
Edited by tr3a on Thursday 3rd January 22:18
Mike,
See you are in Bucks as well, could be well worth talking to John Yarnell at JY classics cannot recommend them enough website is www.jyclassics.co.uk . He also sells spitfires, has a good looking starter car for under £2k.
See you are in Bucks as well, could be well worth talking to John Yarnell at JY classics cannot recommend them enough website is www.jyclassics.co.uk . He also sells spitfires, has a good looking starter car for under £2k.
moosetvr said:
...could be well worth talking to John Yarnell at JY classics cannot recommend them enough website is www.jyclassics.co.uk .
Yep - dropping my Spitty off with him tomorrow for it's full restoration.Marki said:
I would love to have a Spit or a GT6 or a MG Midget great fun little cars , finding a good one is the problem i guess
There are still plenty of excellent Spitfires to be found, especially in the UK, but also in the Netherlands. It'll take a bit of searching and looking closely at a lot of cars. And you shouldn't want to buy a minter for peanuts, because you can't. But if you're prepared to do your homework and pay a fair price, you'll end up with a very nice car that will provide lots of fun for years to come.If you're really serious about getting a car like this, become a club member first. I can't stress that enough. That way you can learn what to look for in a good car and meet some like-minded people. You'll also find that some of the best cars on the market are offered for sale by club members.
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