Used car buying guide: Triumph Spitfire

Spitfire: no prizes for guessing that it was named in honour of the famous fighter plane
Check the gauges work and seats adjust properly
Its pretty styling is alluring but don’t buy one on impulse

Close

News

5 mins read

20 April 2020

Spitfire: the name conjures up images of swooping around the lanes, silk scarf flying. Until, that is, the little car’s engine goes pop and you’re left at the roadside wondering where all that steam’s coming from.

Best we get in that reality check early on. The thing is, a Triumph Spitfire is such a pretty little thing and so darned cheap (you can get a tidy runner from £3500 and probably less) that the temptation to throw down this magazine and buy one right here, right now might be overwhelming. Resist it. Instead, look around and, above all, take a knowledgeable and sceptical mate with you when you’re allowed to go out shopping again.

Based on a shortened version of the Triumph Herald, the little two-seat convertible was launched in 1962 with a 1147cc engine. A more powerful, Mk2 version followed in 1965, itself replaced by the livelier Mk3 with a 1296cc engine in 1967. These 1960s cars are the prettiest and most coveted but rare. Looking around, we found only one: a 1968-reg with 69,000 miles for £10,000.

As the 1970s dawned, the Mk4 arrived with refreshed styling, an all-synchromesh gearbox and revised swing-spring rear suspension that tamed the back end. The dashboard was made full length and the instruments moved from the centre console to the driver’s side.

In 1974, the Spitfire gained the popular 1493cc engine that powered it through to last orders in 1980. It’s torquier than the 1300 but not quite as reliable. More rear suspension tweaks improved the handling still further. As an indication of how light the car was for much of its life, this last version was the heaviest at 851kg.

On your travels, you may encounter the occasional US-spec Spitfire. The Americans loved the car but clobbered it with extra emissions kit, heavy bumpers, lengthened outriggers and one carburettor rather than two. We found a lovely rust-free 1979-reg example with a faithfully recorded service history, up for £8000. It looked very tempting but experts advise against buying US-spec Spitfires, which, they say, are slow and heavy and not at all like Euro-spec cars.

Back to top

It’s a shame but the fact is you don’t need any more problems when buying a Spitfire. The oldest are 58 but even the youngest are 40 years old, which, incidentally, makes them MOT exempt. Mechanicals can be fixed but rust is the big issue that costs lots of money to put right properly.

Parts are freely available. You can go for remanufactured but we like the idea of original bits from a breaker such as Spitfire Graveyard (spitfiregraveyard.com). Owner Dave Loversidge says he regularly gets one old wreck through his doors each week and has a queue of customers for the best bits. One day, we’ll be appalled that so many Spitfires were disposed of in this way but their parts are at least bringing more promising examples of this lovely car back to life.

How to get one in your garage

An expert's view

Mark Pattinson, Enginuity: “The Spitfire is a pretty little sports car. Its problem is that it’s so cheap. Most people are unwilling to spend what it takes to put right all the rust that breaks out on sills, arches, floors, windscreen pillars… Restoring one properly is very expensive. It’s why you need to be wary of partially restored or bodged cars. Always take a magnet with you so you can identify body filler. Most parts are available either remanufactured or from breakers so you should never struggle to get what you need.”

Back to top

Buyer beware...

â– Engine: Coolant leaks that create an oil and water sludge around the oil filler neck, rumbles and misfires… Look, listen and feel for all of these. Check the condition of the carburettors and the fuel lines going to them.

â– Gearbox, drivetrain: Listen for worn synchros and a worn layshaft. If the engine’s been uprated, check the gearbox was refurbished. Have your ear cocked for diff whine and feel for propshaft vibration.

â– Steering, suspension: The unassisted steering should be direct and free of play. Lift the bonnet and check the condition of the rubber steering rack mounts. Inspect the front suspension and rear leaf springs. Grip each wheel and rock it, looking for play in the links and trunnions.

â– Wheels and brakes: Feel for worn wheel bearings. Make sure that the brake calipers aren’t seized, the handbrake works and the brake lines haven’t perished.

â– Body, roof: Check every inch of the body, the chassis and the underside for rust as well as for filler. Make sure that the hood is free of tears and that it opens and closes smoothly.

â– Interior: Check the seats slide and their backrests adjust. The wiring behind the dash will look jumbled but anything messy or sagging suggests recent work. Make sure all gauges work.

Back to top

Also worth knowing

So long as no substantial changes have been made to it, any car registered more than 40 years ago does not require an MOT. However, the law states a vehicle must be roadworthy and the government suggests owners might want to have their vehicle MOT tested anyway, to be on the safe side. Given how vulnerable the Spitfire’s suspension and braking systems are to neglect, you should insist on a fresh MOT before you agree to buy one.

How much to spend

£1000-£2499: Abandoned project cars.

£2500-£4999: Cars in average condition, including a 1977 1500 with 66,000 miles and a fresh MOT.

£5000-£7999: Tidier Spitfires but watch out for patched-up cheapies.

£8000-£10,499: Nicest cars with low mileage. Includes some Mk3s, such as a 1968 1300 with 69,000 miles for £10,000.

£10,500-£14,000: Expect nothing less than the best.

One we found

Triumph Spitfire 1300 Mk4, 1972, 93,000 miles, £5975: Restored by the previous owner (which may be a good or a bad thing depending on their experience and depth of wallet), this Spitfire looks clean and bright. The 1300cc engine is rumoured to be stronger than the more plentiful 1500cc.

Triumph revival on again

Used car buying guide: Triumph Stag