Triumph Spitfire MkIV

By 1971 the Triumph Spitfire was getting a bit long in the tooth so a major revamp was ordered.

The new MkIV featured a completely redesigned 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, and the doors were given recessed handles. The interior was much improved: a proper full-width dashboard was provided, putting the instruments ahead of the driver rather than over the centre console. The engine continued at 1,296cc, but was modified with larger big-end bearings and the gearbox gained synchromesh on its bottom gear.

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. The engine was later enlarged to 1,493cc and the name changed to the Spitfire 1500, the last Spitfire 1500 rolling off the assembly line in August 1980.

According to the British Motor Heritage Certificate, this 1972 Mk IV was built on 14th September of that year, being despatched to J Monsbridge, Triumph’s Lincoln representative, on 4th October having been specified with a heater, seat belts and a hard top. Registered just a few days later, it was purchased by the vendor in April 1996 for the sum of £2,795. Photographs on file show that its original French Blue was changed to Red during a full body-off restoration in 1996, the vendor enjoying the car over the ensuing years during which time he has maintained it regularly.

In sound usable condition, it comes complete with a hard top with removable targa panel, is MOT’d until August 2013 and has 10 old MOT certificates on file.