1981 Triumph Spitfire 1500

Lot details
Registration No: CIL6483
Chassis No: TFADW1AT009448
Mot Expiry: None

The Spitfire was Triumph's answer to MG's dominance in the small two-seater sports car market, falling roughly in size and performance between the B and Midget. Styled by Giovanni Michelotti, it was based around the chassis and mechanical components of the Herald saloon that had been launched in 1957. This included all-round independent suspension, about which MG owners could only dream. The original 1147cc power unit soon gave way to a 1296cc 'four', and successive restyles arrived at the MkIV 'notchtail' design in 1970 with smoothed-out bonnet seams, to homogenise it with larger cars in the range, such as the Stag and MkII 2000/2500 saloon. In 1973 for America and 1975 for the rest of the world, the car was given Triumph's 1493cc engine, which provided more torque, and the model was renamed the Spitfire 1500. Detail improvements continued to be made throughout its life, and included 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 replacing the old dashboard mounted knobs and switches. Also added in the model's final years were a wood dash, hazard flashers and electric screen washer. The last Spitfire rolled off the assembly line at Canley in August 1980.

This particular example, one of the last Spitfires built (the last was '009898'), could seemingly have come through a 'time warp'. Still riding on its original tyres, the Triumph is said to have covered just 20,000 miles from new. Reportedly stored for much of the last 20 years, the Spitfire is understood to have been bought from the British Leyland dealer in Enniskillen by its first owner who in turn sold the two-seater to the vendor's wife (since which time a mere 2,000 miles have been added to the odometer). Having had the car Waxoyled upon acquisition, the vendor describes it as follows: bodywork "very good", paintwork "original and good", engine and transmission "very good", interior "original and very good" and electrical equipment "all original and working". While those original Uniroyals will undoubtedly surprise and delight any concours judge, we would advise changing them should the new owner decide to press the car into more active service.

PLEASE NOTE: This vehicle has a full tonneau cover which can be collected from the seller.