Triumph Spitfire 1500

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Spurred on by the success of the BMC Sprite/Midget range, Standard-Triumph unveiled its new sports car in 1962, the Triumph Spitfire.

The Spitfire used a Triumph Herald chassis with a twin SU carburettor version of its engine clothed in a very attractive open roadster body styled by Michelotti. Thanks to its separate chassis, the Spitfire enjoyed the same type of tilt-forward front wings and bonnet assembly as the Herald but also had the same alarming handling on the limit thanks to the poorly designed rear swing-axle.

By 1971 the Spitfire was getting a bit long in the tooth so a major revamp was ordered. The new MkIV featured a completely re-designed cut-off rear end, giving a strong family resemblance to the Triumph Stag and Triumph 2000 models which Michelotti had also recently styled. The front end was 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 until 1973 when the 1500cc unit was introduced.

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 Vitesse had already been upgraded, the result being safe and progressive handling even at the limit

Looking resplendent in its Pageant Blue paint, this Triumph Spitfire 1500 comes from the last six months of Spitfire production in 1980. In long term ownership from 1994 until last year, the Spitfire was placed in storage in 2000 with 70,425 miles on the clock when the owner emigrated to take up a position in Hong Kong. Although it was covered in filth and had flat tyres after its 14-year slumber, the vendor could tell that a basically good car lay underneath the grime and bought it to keep himself busy in his semi-retirement.

A painstaking refurbishment has included fitting new sills, a complete repaint, retrimmed seats, a new carpet set, all new braking system, four new tyres, a thorough engine service and a good dose of Waxoil to protect against corrosion. In addition to a good soft top, a works hardtop is also included for snug year-round motoring.

Now looking most attractive and said to drive as it should with an MOT until July 2015, it comes with a fair amount of history back to the early 1990s, including an invoice from GB Sportscars of Leighton Buzzard from whom the previous owner purchased it in 1994 for £3,000 when the mileage was stated to be 58,653.