Triumph Spitfire 1500

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Although there’s no denying that British designers have penned some really stunning cars over the years (think Jaguar E-Type and MkII, Bentley Continental, Healey 3000 etc), for a really sexy little sportscar you just can’t beat an Italian.

When Austin-Healey launched its bizarre ‘frog eye’ Sprite and MG followed with its boxy Midget, Triumph realised they would have to come up with a quick riposte and turned to Giovanni Michelotti for the answer. Using the humble Herald as his base, Michelotti wove his magic and turned a sensible aunty into a red hot supermodel.

By 1974 the engine had been enlarged to 1,493cc and the name changed to the Spitfire 1500. Torque was greatly increased and the new engine at last made the Spitfire capable of the magic ton. Other detail improvements included reclining seats with head restraints, wood-veneer dash, hazard flashers and electric washers. The last Spitfire 1500, an Inca Yellow specimen with hardtop and overdrive, rolled off the assembly line in August 1980.

There is not a great deal of history to accompany this 1978 model except that it has seen little use over the last few years. The vendor plans to get a fresh MOT by the time of sale, its most recent test having expired in May of this year. The car is being offered with its original factory hard top which turns this open two-seater into a snug coupe for year-round use.