The first three generations of Spitfire featured the same four-speed manual gearbox, with synchromesh on all gears except first. Used Triumph convertibles for sale in Dover-Foxcroft, ME Assess the box for worn synchros and a noisy layshaft, heard at tickover in neutral; dip the clutch to see if the noise stops. We empower classic and exotic car buyers, sellers, and enthusiasts with insights for the collector car industry - including market values, price comparisons, listing alerts and more. 1965:MkII edition goes on sale, with more power and a stronger clutch. Average fuel consumption was 31 mpg. This Sold Price: $19,800 Sold Date: Unknown 1973 Triumph GT6 Mk. The Triumph Spitfire was launched in 1962, and aimed to compete with the Austin-Healey Sprite, but in the same year another rival also surfaced the MGB. Features Power Transmission: 4 Manual Production Figures Handling Recall Information provided by NHTSA Data updated January 2023 1973 Averages Popular in street and rally racing, Spitfires won numerous SCCA National Sports Car Championships in F and G Production classes; won its class at the 1964 Tour de France rally, coming in second overall, and won the 1964 Geneva Rally. III Sold 1961-79 No. The interior dashboard was updated; the instruments were now in front of the driver rather than in the center console. Copyright Autovia Ltd 2023. Pioneer after market CD player with USB. It's not to, 1979 Triumph Spitfire PLEASE WATCH THE VIDEO https://youtu.be/dCn8jIqpLho For sale is a 1979 Triumph, 1979 Triumph Spitfire 1500 Convertible. Overdrive is desirable check it doesnt slip or jump out. However, if the panel fit is all over the place at the front, theres a good chance the front chassis rail, to which the valance attaches, has been knocked out of true. Most relevant reviews. Michelotti made the prototype in 1960; two years later Triumph found the funds to produce it. We introduce a new project and a new author as 2012-10-14er Tim Suddard's son, Tommy, tackles the restoration of the 1973 Triumph Spitfire on a teenagers budget. According to Classic & Sports Car, a concours condition example, today will fetch about $16,500, as will the similar Mk Is and IIIs. Bodywork was bolted to the much-modified Herald chassis, the outer rails and the rear outriggers having been removed; with structural outer sills to stiffen the overall design. Itis sold with a factory hardtop and a clear California title. While the rest of the world saw 1500s with a compression ratio of 8.0:1, th Country Classic Cars Click for Phone Staunton, IL 62088 (1,604 miles away) 27 1975 Triumph Spitfire All rights reserved.Auto Express is a registered trade mark. Thrust washers: a problem that affects the 1296cc engine all too often is worn thrust washers, given away by excessive fore-aft movement of the crankshaft. Springs and dampers: the only other likely problem, apart from worn or leaking shock absorbers, which are easy to replace, is a sagging leaf spring. , had already created a prototype of the Spitfire, it was delayed and eventually shelved indefinitely. Youre going to struggle to find anything that offers the same amount of fun as the Spitfire, if youre on a seriously tight budget, but such low values are a double-edged sword because theres a lot of rubbish available as a result. RELATED:This Is How Much A Ferrari F40 Is Worth Today. Engine all-iron, ohv 1147/1296/1493cc four, with twin 11/4/11/2in SU/Stromberg (late US cars) carbs; 63bhp @ 5750rpm-71bhp @ 5500rpm; 67lb ft @ 3500rpm-82lb ft @ 3000rpm, Transmission four-speed manual, with optional overdrive on third/fourth, driving rear wheels, Suspension: front double wishbones, coils, anti-roll bar rear transverse leaf spring, fixed-length driveshafts, radius arms, swing-spring from 1970; telescopic dampers f/r, View all Triumph Spitfireclassic cars for sale in our classified listings, The enduring charm of the Triumph Spitfire 4, Separated at birth: Saab 99 vs Triumph Dolomite, Malcolm McKay is a regular contributor to Classic & Sports Car. First sold in 1962 and staying in production for a whopping 18 years, the Spitfire embodied the essence of the mid-century British convertible. Yet more rust: floorpans also corrode, sometimes because rot spreads from the sills and sometimes because the footwells have been allowed to fill up with water. Everything is available and there isnt anything thats a problem to fit. The factory hardtop has been color matched to the bodyand shows well with good shine and glass. The Spitfire was first conceived to answer the Austin-Healey "Bugeye" Sprite, an affordable, small sportscar that the average Englishman could take out for a fun weekend drive. by babetskt Jun 12, 2019. Here is a great example of a 1970 Triumph Spitfire convertible. The interior received a wood-veneer instrument surround and a smaller, 15-inch, wire spoked steering wheel. 13 Appliance mesh wheels are wrapped in taller Sumitomo rubber that rub at slow speeds. Where the Austin A30 used monocoque construction, the Herald used body-on-frame a chassis Triumph was able to downsize, saving the cost of developing a completely new chassis-body unit. More power came with the Mk II and these early cars are quite desirable if the driver respects the limitations of the rear suspension design. III's final production year (1970) included an integrated rear reverse and license plate lamp, side lamps at the front and rear and new badging. These cars were essentially MkIV's with 1500 badges and engine. Overdrive: many Spitfires have overdrive, which can also give problems. In March 1965 the Spitfire Mark II launched with a retuned engine, featuring a revised camshaft profile, water-heated intake manifold, and tubular exhaust manifold, increasing power to 67bhp (50kW) at 6,000 rpm. Giovanni Michelotti, Triumphs favorite Italian designer came up with a design for the Herald chassis that unlike the Sprite and Midget, was truly beautiful. , a concours condition example, today will fetch about $16,500, as will the similar Mk Is and IIIs. Listen out for rattling and blue smoke. The engine was also detuned to meet new emissions regulations. The Mk III saw an increase in top speed and acceleration thanks to the new 75 horsepower engine. Check for weak synchros and dip the clutch in neutral to listen for layshaft noise. Imperfections are said to be limited to a dent in the passenger side front fender and a scratch on the rear fender. #1 Concours condition #2 Excellent condition #3 Good condition #4 Fair condition Let us watch the market for you 1973 Triumph Spitfire 1500 - Bring a Trailer There were three different engines fitted throughout the life of the Spitfire, with each one also fitted to other models in the Triumph range. The first Spitfires sported a small 1,147 cc inline four-cylinder engine. All Rights Reserved. Triumph 1973 - Classic Car Catalogue 1973 Triumph Spitfire Classic Cars for Sale - Autotrader Classics Ive had the diff and driveshafts rebuilt, but otherwise its only needed normal service items. Rear suspension was by a single transverse-leaf swing axle,[8] an arrangement, that unless ameliorated by any of several options, can allow rear tyres to undergo large camber changes during fast cornering, leading to oversteer a dynamically unstable condition in which a vehicle can lose control and spin. [1] Fuel economy was reduced to 29mpg.[1]. Classic Cars Triumph spitfire For Sale | Car and Classic The mere mention of the early days of the European supercar conjures thoughts of, . MkIV Spitfires are especially prone to these problems; listen for rumbling from the bottom end as the engine ticks over. In 1970, Michelotti once again turned his attention to the car, cleaning up the front and rear and engineers finally resolved the treacherous swing axles. Thrills dont come much cheaper than with one of these; even less costly than an equivalent MG Midget or B, the Spitfire is perhaps the cheapest way of enjoying topless motoring. If so please use the bidding box above. . Shop Triumph convertibles in Dover-Foxcroft, ME for sale at Cars.com. Drivetrain vibration or knocking may just be worn universal joints in the prop or driveshafts, or soggy mountings: fairly cheap to repair. The car was largely based upon the chassis of the Triumph Herald saloon, but shortened and . Triumph designed the car to be small and sporty but not at the sacrifice of comfort or convenience. Stylish, reliable, simple and cheap to maintain, the Spitfire has a lot to offer if no-frills classic sports car motoring is what you seek and youre happy to live with its separate-chassis character. [1] Fuel economy was 32mpgimp (8.8L/100km; 26.6mpgUS).[1]. During the restoration, it received a full body repaint and a suspension rebuild that includednew shocks, springs, control arms, pivots, and a new steering rack. I would purchase again but expect this one to last a long time. The Spitfire went on to see three more revisions, the Mk III debuting in 1967, the Mk IV in 1970, and the Spitfire 1500 hitting the roads in 1974. If not, the oil level has probably fallen below the minimum. Thats just as well because there are various bits that can give trouble but its all very cheap and beautifully simple to put right. Even when things sound really bad the rear axle will just keep going, but its obviously something to sort. During the 2007 restoration, the suspension received a complete overhaul with a new steering rack, new shocks, springs, control arms, and pivot parts. Beware rampant rust and poor parts supply. This prestigious accolade represents the continued growth of the company, and ClassicCars.com's dominance as the world's largest online marketplace for Rear overriders were deleted and bumper mounted reversing lights became 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). Fuel injected. 1962:Spitfire breaks cover, with 1147cc engine. 1973 Triumph Spitfire Pricing Original MSRP N/a Price range $14,495 to $14,495 Average price on CG $14,495 YoY price change $14,495 to $14,495 Date Sep 22 Oct 22 Nov 22 Dec 22 Jan 23 Feb 23 Price (US $) $15,000 $20,000 $25,000 $30,000 1975 Triumph Spitfire 1974 Triumph Spitfire 1973 Triumph Spitfire 1972 Triumph Spitfire Index Price Appears t. ClassicCars.com has been recognized as one of the fastest-growing private companies in the United States, successfully making the Inc. 5000 list in both 2015, Track recent comps for the classic or exotic cars you own - or the cars you want. It sold well in the US, where it was cheaper than a Midget; some have been imported to the UK. The wider, lower stance gave an impressive skid pad result of 0.87g average. A revised hardtop also became available, with rear quarter-lights and a flatter rear screen. It claimed a top speed of 96 mph and a reduced 0 - 60 time of 14.8 seconds. Giovanni Michelotti, who had designed the Herald, styled the bodywork, which featured wind-up windows (in contrast to the Sprite and Midget, which used side curtains) and a cowl composed of the bonnet and wings that opened forward for engine access. California consumers may exercise their CCPA rights here. Protect your 1973 Triumph Spitfire from the unexpected. U.S. pollution and safety regulations began to hit the Spitfire after 1967 with the Mk III heralding revised (and less attractive bumpers) and less horsepower in spite of a displacement increase to nearly 1.3 liters. Find your next car in our classifieds the classic of your dreams could be just a click away (l-r) Neat Hardtop featured bolted-on steel roof and no hood; Spits did well on rallies and circuits, here at Le Mans in 64, The Spitfires four-cylinder engine will do around 100,000 miles between rebuilds, if well maintained, Owner Graham Spalls MkIV has been extremely reliable, Fiat 850 Spider (left) and MG Midget are alternative buys, Rare Frua-bodied Maserati to make UK debut, The Amsterdam Job: the story of an epic classic Mini advert, C&SC presents Ferrari Legends is out now, Homologation specials join London Concours line-up. While the rest of the world saw 1500s with a compression ratio of 8.0:1, the American market model was fitted with a single Zenith-Stromberg carburettor and a compression ratio reduced to 7.5:1 to allow it to run on lower octane unleaded fuel. An all-monocoque construction derivative of the Spitfire with pop-up headlamps, named the Triumph Fury, was proposed with a single prototype being built. Once this has happened, a bottom-end rebuild is necessary. Thankfully, after Leyland Motors acquired triumph, Michelotti's design was rediscovered. l4 GAS OHV Naturally Aspirated [Clutch Slave Cylinder] . In the UK the 9:1 compression ratio, less restrictive emissions control equipment, and the Type HS2 SU carburettors now being replaced with larger Type HS4 models,[1] led to the most powerful variant to date. California Notice at Collection As no six-cylinder version ever appeared as might have been planned, the Spitfire 4 moniker was phased out as insignificant. or $324/mo. Rot: there are plenty more rot spots to inspect too: the rear quarter panels, door bottoms, boot floor and the windscreen frame can all corrode badly. 1973 Spitfire $3,000-$52,000 1973 Triumph Spitfire Base Price : $3,000 Lower Priced Cars Higher Priced Cars Similar Priced Cars Other 1973 Triumph Models 1973 Triumph TR6 $3,300 1973 Triumph GT6 MKIII $3,374 1973 Triumph Stag $5,800 Mk 4 Year Production Wheelbase Engine Prices 1971 Spitfire MKIV 83.00 in. As a result, theyre all equally sought after although the Mk3 is a particular favourite as it has nicer lines than the MkIV and 1500 yet its relatively usable. Always slightly dearer than the MG, the Spitfire offered more space and refinement, even a wood-veneer dash on some models. values them at just under $12,400 for a concours condition car. The same goes for the rest of the front suspension; there are all sorts of potential weak spots but theyre all quickly and cheaply fixed. Good quality. With an experienced team and a lot of data. Hoods are simple and cheap (181 for a PVC 1500), but getting them to fit properly and not let in too much water is a skill and requires a good-quality top. The instrument panel was moved in front of the driver, and new seats were introduced with integrated headrests to help against whiplash. Classic & Sports Car values them at just under $12,400 for a concours condition car. The Hagerty Group, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hagerty, Inc. Anti-roll bar: the anti-roll bar links can also break, but at just 8 each thats nothing to worry about. Front valance rots fast on MkIV/1500. PAIR HEADLAMP WIRING LOOMS TRIUMPH SPITFIRE & GT6 1962 - 1973 - eBay One leaf of the suspension "stack" was eliminated and only the bottom leaf was attached rigidly to the differential. All Spitfires should have adequate braking for modern traffic; if not, allow for a rebuild. The car was given a partial restoration by a previous owner around 2007, and had been driven about 3000 miles since. Get 1973 Triumph Spitfire trim level values and reviews. buying and selling classic and collector vehicles. For more info, read about our auctions or email us with any questions. Values Reference Profiles Exotics Order MENU 1973 TRIUMPH SPITFIRE 4cyl 1493cc (57hp SAE) 4M #4 #3 #2 #1: 1500 Roadster : 3700: 7800: 13200: 20000: Add: Overdrive: 5%: Wire wheels : 5%: Profile Condition Truck Table. [4] It was manufactured at the Standard-Triumph Canley works, with approximately 315,000 produced over 18 years.[5]. The Mk. Select a 1973 Triumph Spitfire Trim. The lower rockers and floorboard metal appearing free of corrosion beyond light surface rust. Their high production numbers also mean that examples are relatively simple to locate. Triumph GT6 -Ultimate Review for Car Enthusiasts - Sports Car Digest If the small British sports cars of the early '60s are the topic at hand, though, the chances are that it's one of Triumph's classic roadsters, which you will picture. Itll do around 100,000 miles between rebuilds if well maintained, but is likely to need hardened valve seats after about 20k miles on unleaded. $4,500. Free delivery for many products! Detail improvements continued to be made throughout the 1500's production run, including reclining seats with "chequered brushed nylon centre panels" and head restraints, introduced for domestic market cars early in 1977 along with a new set of column stalk operated minor controls (as fitted already in the TR7) replacing the old dashboard mounted knobs and switches. of torque, enough to propel the sub-1,600 pound car from 0 to 60 in 16.4 seconds and up to a top speed of a respectable 92 mph. In its first iteration, the car was referred to as both the Spitfire Mk I and the Spitfire 4, in reference to the I4 powerplant. A folding hood replaced the earlier, more complicated design. The most desirable Spitfires are those with odd numbers; the delicate and pretty Mk1, the powerful Mk3, and the usable 1500. Starting in 1969, US-bound models were "federalised" to comply with safety and emissions regulations. Far more Spitfires were sold in the US than the UK (80%), though few have come back; emissions equipment took the MkIV 1300 down to 48bhp and US cars used a detuned 1500 from 73. The bigger motor is needed because of all the emissions control equipment that has to be fitted. A new quieter exhaust gave a sweet distinct note and reduced cabin noise. 1973 Triumph Spitfire Values - J.D. Power - NADAguides Clutch: clutches dont give any particular problems, so just check for slipping as you accelerate, or juddering as you let the clutch out. 1973 Triumph Spitfire Market - CLASSIC.COM [4] Wire wheels and a hard top were also available.[4]. Interior changes included a steering column mounted ignition switch, a key-in-ignition warning buzzer, driver's side under-dash courtesy lamp and a new black spoked steering wheel. The Spitfire evolved over five iterations: The Spitfire was conceived by Standard-Triumph to compete in the small sports car market against the Austin-Healey Sprite. ClassicCars.com's first-class Customer Support team with a Stevie Bronze Award in 2019, celebrating the team's skills as exemplary customer support specialists. Lot #1,771. Brakes: its a similar story for the brakes; theyre completely conventional so you just need to be on the lookout for leaking rear wheel cylinder, sticking caliper pistons and seized handbrakes. A rebuilt engine costs 1340. DAA Industry Opt Out Triumph Spitfire Classic Cars for Sale - Classic Trader Synchro: synchromesh is usually the first thing to go, so check if theres any baulking as you go up and down the gears. Triumph Classic Car - TR 6: Blue Book Value Horsepower was increased thanks to engine tuning, a redesigned camshaft, and new intake and exhaust manifolds. Current Collector Car Value | 1975 TRIUMPH SPITFIRE Prices It was possible to buy a Spitfire as a Hardtop, with bolt-on roof and no soft-top. During nearly two decades of production the engine grew, the bodywork was restyled and the suspension honed to make the cars handling more predictable. Missed updates will be sent once your connection has been reestablished. Buyer's guide: Triumph Spitfire - Classic & Sports Car (Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads). The interior was revised to include a full-width dashboard, with instruments ahead of the driver rather than over the centre console, initially finished in black plastic and then from 1973 finished in wood. Four-cylinder engine is simple, reliable and incredibly easy to work on. 1973 Triumph Spitfire. Triumph Spitfire Classic Cars for Sale - Classics on Autotrader If you don't win, your existing pre-authorization will be released. Check the steering for knocks rack wear is common but usually just a nylon button at one end. Under the bonnet, some markets had the twin SU carburettors replaced with a single Zenith-Stromberg carburettor.[12]. Triumph Spitfire 1500 Mk IV. The Mark IV went on sale in the UK at the end of 1970 with a base price of 735. If you win the auction, your card will be charged for the service fee and you pay the seller directly for the vehicle. US specification models up to 1978 featured chrome bumpers, and on the 1979 and 1980 models these were replaced by black rubber bumpers with built-in over-riders, using chassis extensions to support the bumpers. The overdrive sliding switch, which had been located on the steering column, could now be found on the gear knob. Triumph Spitfire years | Hagerty Valuation Tools This gave a top speed of 92mph (148km/h), and a 0 to 60mph (97km/h) acceleration in 16.4 seconds. 1977:The interior receives minor fettling for greater comfort. Single Zenith Stromberg 150CDSE, (1973-1974) Single Zenith Stromberg 150CDSEV: Carburetor Main Jet : Carburetor Main Jet Needle . As did many manufacturers who used a swing axle arrangement (e.g., Mercedes, Renault, Volkswagen), Triumph would later modify the rear suspension. Ruthin. A heater and seat belts were now standard equipment. Hagerty, Hagerty Valuation Tools & Hagerty Drivers Club are registered trademarks of The Hagerty Group LLC, 2022 The Hagerty Group, LLC. A sloppy gear-change is easily cured with new bushes. The Mk IV and 1500, due mainly to the steps backward in performance from earlier Spitfires, sell for slightly less. Panel gaps: next check the door shuts, which should be even all the way down. Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith: somebody please talk me out of this, Video: The Classic & Sports Car Show 2018 highlights, Corrosion can penetrate almost everywhere, so thoroughly inspect the chassis and body. Crash damage: accident damage is also a strong possibility, as these cars often appeal to inexperienced drivers after some cheap fun. Set an alert to be notified of new listings. The 1980 model was the last and the heaviest Spitfire, weighing 1,875lb (850.5kg). Pop-up headlights were proposed but never made it into production due to the expense of producing them.