Triumph Spitfire 1500

Click Here for Full Screen Image - Click Here to Download Image

Launched in 1972, 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 which gave excellent acces to the engine, 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.

There are some cars that come to auction beautifully annotated, with photographic records and details of the family tree of the man who fitted the fuel tank. This is not one of them. Which is a shame, as the car has clearly had a high quality restoration at some point in the not-too-distant past but we don't know exactly what was done or when.

What is known is that this is a 1972 Triumph Spitfire 1500 that comes with undated photos of a body-off restoration and is still in very nice order both above and below. Everything looks tickety boo, the only non-standard aspects of the car being the wood-rim steering wheel, the stereo and the Minilite-style alloys which seem to be de rigeur on ‘70s sports cars these days and certainly do not look out of place.

The car drove beautifully on test and is being offered here at no reserve so the best bid takes it home.