Selling my Triumph Spitfire project.
Genuine 'Garage find' One family owned prior to me, 38,000 miles from new, dry stored since 1982.
Brief history: Bought new by a lady in 1971, lent to her son in 1982. He had a minor bump resulting in a damaged bonnet, front chassis cross member and hinge boxes. Laid up unused since. When she passed away in 2005 ownership passed onto her husband. Over the years he got the chassis sorted and carried out some minor repairs but no other progress. Sadly he passed away a few months ago and I acquired the car.
The good bits:
Genuine low owners and low mileage.
It is very original, unrestored and un-messed with.
Hardly any rust. Yes really. It's never had any repairs so door gaps are as it left the factory. The body tub itself is probably as good as any you’ll find from a ‘dry state’ in the USA nowadays and the steering wheel is on the right side.
Pretty much complete, the only items I can see missing are the radiator and side supports
The interior is good, seats are near mint as is dash top and dash board.
I'm told the engine was running 3-4 years ago and it turns by hand.
Not so good (that's why it’s a project):
Bonnet is damaged. A top panel beater may be able to salvage it but it would be a lot of effort, I was budgeting to replace.
Dent in drivers door. A dent guy maybe able to sort this, worst case a new skin.
Some minor dents from storage or before that a dent guy could easily handle, two small ones in the rear RH wing, one on the rear valance, some very small but noticeable in the boot lid and one at the front of the LH sill.
Very, very minor rust, front end infill of the LH sill needs replacing, there is a replacement with the bits. The other side has been repaired and is in primer but personally I would clean this back to inspect. The rear arches have started to go a little crusty on the return outer lips, the inners are very good both sides. The lower section at the front of the LH rear wing is in primer, I suspect this needs looking at as there is a repair section for this with the car.
There is oil around the gearbox and diff, so these probably need their 50 year old input and output seals replacing.
Carpets are original, some are a little sun bleached but could be dyed. Only real let down is speaker holes have been cut in rear panel but new panels are available.
Personally having restored two of this exact model and a GT6 previously I think this is a great base for a proper concours rebuild given its originality and it would represent a very worthwhile investment.
Feel free to contact me with any questions, more images are available on request. I'm located near Norwich and happy to put the kettle on.
Asking price is £2,600, this includes a factory hardtop. Will take £2,500 without the hardtop.
The right hand rear wheel in the images is a spare I've fitted as the original doesn't hold air but is included.
I have an offer from a bodyshop friend to have a go at straightening the bonnet, if I still have it in January I'm going to take them up on that and the price will increase.
Genuine 'Garage find' One family owned prior to me, 38,000 miles from new, dry stored since 1982.
Brief history: Bought new by a lady in 1971, lent to her son in 1982. He had a minor bump resulting in a damaged bonnet, front chassis cross member and hinge boxes. Laid up unused since. When she passed away in 2005 ownership passed onto her husband. Over the years he got the chassis sorted and carried out some minor repairs but no other progress. Sadly he passed away a few months ago and I acquired the car.
The good bits:
Genuine low owners and low mileage.
It is very original, unrestored and un-messed with.
Hardly any rust. Yes really. It's never had any repairs so door gaps are as it left the factory. The body tub itself is probably as good as any you’ll find from a ‘dry state’ in the USA nowadays and the steering wheel is on the right side.
Pretty much complete, the only items I can see missing are the radiator and side supports
The interior is good, seats are near mint as is dash top and dash board.
I'm told the engine was running 3-4 years ago and it turns by hand.
Not so good (that's why it’s a project):
Bonnet is damaged. A top panel beater may be able to salvage it but it would be a lot of effort, I was budgeting to replace.
Dent in drivers door. A dent guy maybe able to sort this, worst case a new skin.
Some minor dents from storage or before that a dent guy could easily handle, two small ones in the rear RH wing, one on the rear valance, some very small but noticeable in the boot lid and one at the front of the LH sill.
Very, very minor rust, front end infill of the LH sill needs replacing, there is a replacement with the bits. The other side has been repaired and is in primer but personally I would clean this back to inspect. The rear arches have started to go a little crusty on the return outer lips, the inners are very good both sides. The lower section at the front of the LH rear wing is in primer, I suspect this needs looking at as there is a repair section for this with the car.
There is oil around the gearbox and diff, so these probably need their 50 year old input and output seals replacing.
Carpets are original, some are a little sun bleached but could be dyed. Only real let down is speaker holes have been cut in rear panel but new panels are available.
Personally having restored two of this exact model and a GT6 previously I think this is a great base for a proper concours rebuild given its originality and it would represent a very worthwhile investment.
Feel free to contact me with any questions, more images are available on request. I'm located near Norwich and happy to put the kettle on.
Asking price is £2,600, this includes a factory hardtop. Will take £2,500 without the hardtop.
The right hand rear wheel in the images is a spare I've fitted as the original doesn't hold air but is included.
I have an offer from a bodyshop friend to have a go at straightening the bonnet, if I still have it in January I'm going to take them up on that and the price will increase.
