• Hey Guest!
    BCF is a resource offered at no cost to the Little British Car community. We do not require you to pay to play here. However, if you find BCF helpful, appreciate no pop up ads, and you want to ensure we stay online - Please support us with an "optional" low-cost (less than many car club dues) member upgrade. There are some benefits to upgrading!
    **Upgrade Now**
    (PS: Subscribers don't see this UGLY banner)
Tips
Tips

Spitfire possible 76 Spitfire purchase-advice?

Share this page

F

fmj355

Freshman Member
Offline
Drove it yesterday, runs, shifts, brakes OK, electrics functional, handles fine, no obvious issues. Magnet found no bondo, only visible rust was in front of left rear wheel well, was able to get underneath, no apparent rust there, surface rust only under carpets. Needs new top, seats re-covered, exterior paint badly faded, but it appears to be original paint, engine number correct for year. Owner has had car for 15 years, says he kept it in carport mostly, little use but started fairly regularly, the general look of the car leads me to believe that.
Any specific troublespots on Spitfires that don't show up on a normal look over? I am just thinking to drive this and do the renovations while I look for a TR6. Price makes it attractive. I have adequate skills from american car renos, but am an LBC newbie. Comments? Opinions? Prejudices? Emotional outbursts? Free advice?
Don
 
1976 is the best year if the engine is correct because it has the higher compression as standard. The worst things about any Triumph is they seem to rust from the inisde out. 1500 cc Spits tend to lose their thrust washers and are hard on bearings. The differentials are a little on the weak side as I found out last weekend.
 
I had a '76 back in the UK, and I loved it! You will not find a car that is easier to do DIY maintenance and repair on. If it drives fine and has minimal rust then you're ahead of the game.
 
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif I had a '76 for a few years. Used it as a commuter for about a year. First year for smog pumps in the US. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif Look for rust in the rockers and the frame behind the dif. billspit's right, they rust from the inside out, especially in the frame. Sounds like you may have found a good one.
 
"electrics functional" Buy it! Buy it Now! With all kidding aside, the 76 year model is a nice little car, pretty much all around. If its rust is minimal, and it runs, drives alright, then it is probably a good deal.
 
Similar threads
Thread starter Title Forum Replies Date
K Spitfire 1978 Spitfire possible Vapor Lock? Triumph 16
tomshobby Spitfire Possible Spitfire for sale Triumph 5
drooartz Spitfire Possible to lower front bumper on Spitfire Mark 3? Triumph 2
K TR2/3/3A Is it possible for an intake manifold gasket leak.... Triumph 12
T 100 BN2 Possible Ignition Issue Austin Healey 10
B TR2/3/3A Possible differential problem Triumph 3
steveg TR6 Unshrinking tonneau - is it possible? Triumph 12
steveg TR6 Installing stock trailing arm bushings on the car - is it possible? Triumph 2
D Possible Mini Gauges? British Motor Corp 6
K TR2/3/3A Isit possible to buy a single left hand thread tie rod end? Triumph 5
M TR2/3/3A Brake Problems - Possible Solution Triumph 5
T TR2/3/3A Is it possible to buy stronger springs for turn signal lever in control head? Triumph 14
angelfj1 TR2/3/3A Possible UK Source for Authentic looking Clutch/Brake MC Triumph 5
RAC68 Non-Healey Cruising Rear Possible? Austin Healey 37
Rut MGA Possible purchase MG 10
T Wanted wanted-- 1275 ribcase shifter and shifter seat cover if possible Spridgets Classified 0
glemon TR5/TR250 Is this even Theoretically Possible? [Brake Question] Triumph 3
H Bugeye seat pan rust and possible repair Spridgets 2
B TR4/4A Possible to put TR6 seats in a TR4A Triumph 3
DNK Wedge Possible new toys Triumph 21
B Stator Tube Question - Is it possible to make one out of tubing? Austin Healey 16
A TR2/3/3A Possible problems replacing a Lockheed rear axle with a girling unit Triumph 6
tomshobby Can't be possible can it? Spridgets 6
aeronca65t Possible racer-Spridget for sale-Atlanta Racing 0
N TR2/3/3A Looking for expert appraisal advice re possible TR3-B purchase Triumph 3
R TR6 Cruciform [T shirt] and possible trailing arm mount replacement Triumph 8
TRMark What could possible go wrong? Restoration & Tools 4
dcoplan Possible to adapt K&N 1-1/4" air filters to 1-1/8" carbs? Spridgets 14
F Is it possible to retro fit overdrive to a BT7? Austin Healey 2
T TR2/3/3A Is it possible to drill vacuum advance port in SU H6 carb? Triumph 14
smaceng TR6 Possible Purchase of a TR6 Triumph 21
Bob Claffie Wedge Possible TR8 Triumph 9
T Possible bearing problem Austin Healey 6
S Question about possible oil pressure problem???? Triumph 4
R Possible Midget purchase - advice needed Spridgets 11
hondo402000 TR6 Possible cam Plug leak on my New TR6 Engine Triumph 7
G Possible TR find Triumph 10
G TR6 Possible TR6 Project ? ? Triumph 1
bighealeysource Possible side effect with Petronix ignition Austin Healey 38
Lon_S Possible leaking rear axle seal Spridgets 7
G I'm wondering if its possible... Spridgets 20
t_bush Possible replacement seats from Walmart? Triumph 16
newmexTR3 TR2/3/3A TR3 hard cornering vibration- possible causes? Triumph 13
AH_3000 How is it possible... Austin Healey 20
A help me on a possible 59 bugeye 20 years in a barn Austin Healey 1
jclay Possible Fraudulent Seller Triumph 1
RickB Witnessed possible WOT accident this morning Spridgets 88
G TR6 Possible TR6 project? Triumph 2
G Possible new Triumph...input sought ! Triumph 9
G Electrical Question and Possible Dilemma Triumph 24

Similar threads

Back
Top