1979 Triumph Spitfire

1500 Roadster Convertible

1500cc 4-Cylinder Gas

Manual

FM96010U0C

Clear

Gasoline

Presenting this stunning and original, Triumph Spitfire 1500 In Outstanding Overall Condition With NO RESERVE PRICE!!! Featuring: Original, CA Blue Plate CarRust & Collision Free Body & ChassisOne Mature Owner Since 1983Always Garaged33-Year Maintenance History Recent Mechanical Refreshments Include: Brakes: New Shoes, Master & Wheel CylindersClutch: New Master & Slave CylindersTune-Up: Newer Plugs, Wires, Dist. Cap & Elec. IgnitionEngine Oil, Radiator, Brake & Clutch Fluids Flushed & ChangedNew Motor & Transmission MountsNew BatteryNew ShocksFresh CA Smog Certificate Recent Interior Refreshments Include: Seats Restored W/Factory Correct Houndstooth InsertsNew Robbins Convertible TopNew Sun VisorsMuch More! Please allow time for the photographs to load and inspect carefully as great cars such as this rarely come along. For a slideshow of 175 detailed photos, click this link:http://s746.photobucket.com/user/cars2k/slideshow/1979%20Triumph%20Spitfire%201500?sort=9 With a little imagination, you’ll be transported back to the 70’s and with no reserve price, YOU are in the driver’s seat to bid & own this classic sports car in less than one week! The Triumph Spitfire was among the long line of classic, British sports cars made by Standard-Triumph. Named after the famed Battle of Britain fighter plane and designed by Giovanni Michelotti, the most prolific Italian sports car designer of the 20th century, Spitfire is steeped in history. It was successful in racing (Le Mans) and in rallying, and it had a production span of 18 years, in which many model changes took place. Spitfire is a very versatile sports car. Featuring an easy-to-operate, weather-tight folding top and a good heating system, it can be used year round as a daily driver. Attractive, inexpensive to maintain and easy to find parts for, these simple sports cars offer a great deal of fun for the money. It's not a mean-spirited diva, but an un-temperamental, highly economical automobile that will put a smile on your face every time you drive it. Spitfires evolved from the Mk I in 1962 through Mk IV in 1970 and finally to the Spitfire 1500 in 1979. In all its incarnations, they are truly beautiful but the Spitfire 1500 reached the pinnacle in terms of performance, handling and ease of driving. In 1980, Triumph production ended forever. So the Spitfire 1500 was the last of the sleek, body-on-frame Roadsters, with an economical four banger up front, coupled to a fully synchronized transmission with independent suspension in the rear; preferably to be driven with the top down. With the average car's lifespan being about a dozen years and its attrition rate often accelerated by juvenile, second-hand owners, it'd be a nice surprise to find an example of the species that, despite being 37 years old, still shines and sparkles like a late-model. The most likely place to unearth such a rare gem would be Southern California, with its mild climate and large number of open-air enthusiasts. The wonderful 1979 Triumph Spitfire 1500 presented here is a true survivor. It never suffered from neglect and is original as one could ever hope for. In October 1978, this Spitfire with VIN *FM96010U0C * left the factory gates in Canley, England. Ironically, in August, 1980, the last Triumph ever built at Canley was an Inca Yellow Spitfire and it's displayed at the British Motor Heritage museum at Gaydon. This Inca Yellow Spitfire was owned and cherished since 1983 by a mature (80 years young) engineer at JPL Laboratories in Glendale, CA and he treated it like his one and only child. Always garaged and pampered, the car has certainly led a charmed life. Included with the sale are a stack of parts receipts, many extra original parts, 2 official Service Manuals, and the owner’s handwritten log with personal notes, dates and work history from his 32-years of ownership. Also included are the original California Title (Pink Slip) issued in 1983 and subsequent CA registration cards verifying it has never left the Golden State. It should be noted in 2003, he discontinued driving (and registering) the car but kept it faithfully stored in his garage. The extensive work detailed at the top of this description was recently completed to bring this worthy classic out of its 12-year hibernation and back to its original AND GLORIOUS, roadworthy state. Let's have a closer look now. Exterior: After nearly four decades, the immaculate, rust-free body and undercarriage is a testimony towards the loving care this Triumph has always received and underscores its Southern California provenance. Still wearing its original shade of Inca Yellow (color code 94) among the most desirable of the iconic 70’s hues, the car has been (at least partially) repainted, many years ago. There are no major blems, just a few small dings, chips, and touched-up spots; overall, the finish is still very attractive and displays a rich, buttery glow. All original “Triplex” glass is crystal clear. The mellow body is entirely rust-free and the there is NO evidence of major collision repair or any other mishap that would cause the enthusiast sleepless nights. Fortunately, a brand-new, Robbins convertible top has just been fitted. It fits tight as a drum and there are no leaks or wind noises! The rear window has a nice zip-out feature allowing fresh air (or a surf board) to come through. Just pull the two chromed levers above the windshield; unsnap the back and the top folds down in seconds. With the top folded down the (included) black vinyl boot with white piping covers the top assembly for wind-in-your-hair enjoyment. Remember, this is an old-school British roadster: the top is only to be closed in an absolute emergency, i.e., in a hurricane or when fully submerged. Surveying the car's straight and smooth coachwork today, we marvel at how well this car was preserved over the years. In fact, with little preparation, this fine example of the marquee could be proudly displayed a local car show or Concourse d'Elegance. Car's paws feature 165R13 Radials mounted to exceptionally well-preserved 5Jx13" factory steel rims. With chromed lug nuts and aluminum beauty rings, wheel detail is amazing. Speaking of detail, let us stress how straight the body is, how sparkling the chrome, how glossy the paint: if you wouldn't know differently, you'd think to be looking at a 3-year old, not a 37-year old car. This one is that clean! While we’re down on one knee, let’s take a look underneath. More important than shiny paint is a healthy undercarriage. Ol' Sherlock himself could inspect this car's belly with his magnifying glass and would not find an ounce of corrosion… …which is the single most important trait determining any classic convertible's true collectability. Even the vulnerable rockers and footwalls are dry and rust free Here, it's as good as it gets! This one's a true, rust-free California native, guaranteed! Not a beach car, mind you, but a dry-stored example that has never seen rain or snow. We'll inspect the interior next, shall we? The Triumph's interior gives convincing testimony to the car's highly preserved state. Late model Spitfire convertibles could boast a number of improvements over earlier models, such as reclining bucket seats with adjustable head restraints, 3-point safety belts, and even a retractable maplight. The interior is very presentable with newly refurbished seats, original door panels and its original woodgrain dashboard. The bucket seats with small head rests display unique, houdstooth cloth center sections (trim code C11). They look and feel great. Typically, the interior door panels would be upholstered from top to bottom but in this case, the black vinyl trim pieces that typically cover the top of the doors were removed to expose the original yellow paint. This is a very tasteful option which resembles the older TR line and brings the outside color inside. If 100% originality is desired, the vinyl caps are cheap, readily available and easy to install. A true British Roadster must have a wooden dashboard, and the Spitfire is no exception. A full array of SMITHS gauges include nice silk screening of the instrument dials. A period, stem mount, stereo system with AM/FM Cassette (how modern!) guarantees pleasurable 70’s hits, even when traveling topless at speeds well above the double nickel. Upon close inspection, a small chip and some minor surface cracks can be found on the original wood finish and the right-hand portion of the upper dash pad but the lower sections are perfect. Both sun visors are brand new with a crystal clear passenger mirror. Rear cargo area behind the seats is immaculate... ...and the convertible top frame is in perfect condition. Only a garaged and cherished interior could remain this pristine for 37 years. Let’s have a peek inside the rear boot. The trunk is surprisingly spacious and very clean. Matching J5 X 13” spare wheel and tire resides below a vinyl cover. Original jacking equipment is included in its original pouch. A typical Triumph weak spot would be the trunk floor. Deeply recessed with lots of nooks and crannies, it is usually the first place where corrosion develops. Things are different here! Not the tiniest rust bubble is to be found; the paint inside is still 100% factory original. A picture says more than a thousand words: this all original trunk is corrosion free! Let's take a look under the hood now. Unique to the Spitfire is the front-hinged “bonnet” which hinges forward to expose the entire engine and ancillaries; making this the most accessible car on the planet to service. Engine & Mechanical: The car's immaculate engine compartment is all original, factory-correct, down to the decals and markings. Originality abounds. This Triumph features its factory-installed engine. The 1.5-liter, four cylinder power plant inhales through a single Zenith Stromberg carburetor and is electrically cooled. With only minor oil seepage, there is no smoke upon start-up or excessive oil consumption. The car originally had a 4-speed gearbox with electric overdrive. Years ago, it was replaced by a late model Spitfire 1500 transmission. It's a fully synchronized, 4-speed NON-overdrive version. Beyond routine, documented tune-ups and oil changes, thousands of dollars were invested into preventative maintenance. Recently, all the brakes and clutch hydraulics were replaced, fluids were changed and a new battery installed. As a result, this Triumph is mechanically as strong as it is cosmetically. Drivability: Invigorating is the word that best describes this Spitfire’s driving experience. Even though its 1.5 liter engine was designed for economy, the Roadster is still very peppy. With a low center of gravity, the suspension layout is intelligently engineered and the power-to-weight ratio is very favorable, indeed. Although it sounds like a sewing machine, the four banger engine starts every time in any climate, idles, revs and pulls effortlessly through the gears and accelerates strong and smooth leaving no smoke in your rear-view mirror. Warmed up, oil pressure ranges from about 45 lbs. at idle to a reassuring 70 lbs. at speed. For added protection in stop-and-go traffic or hot summer days, the engine temperature can be manually regulated by an axillary switch mounted below the dash which activates the electric cooling fan at the radiator. With a gentle hand, the fully synchronized, 4-speed transmission shifts very smooth and precise. The rear end “sings” a little - which is a common trait among these older Triumphs. The fully refurbished brakes anchor the car securely, in a straight line, and without any hint of fading. Throwing this Triumph through the curves with new brakes and shocks, handling and braking are simple and superb with no rattles, shakes, shimmies or pulls. All in all, this Triumph is a thoroughly convincing performer and a joy to drive! Everything works on this Spitfire; from lights and switches to the heater fan and back-up lights. Despite its age, the car definitely is ready to be driven anywhere, even across the Country, if that's where you live. Pound for pound, the Triumph Spitfire is among of the most economical, stylish and fun post-war British sports cars. Being the last of the breed, the Spitfire 1500 is a highly collectible Classic with fantastic appreciation potential, one that can easily serve as a reliable daily driver. To make things even better, the car gets 25 MPG on regular unleaded gas and reasonably priced spares as well as extremely affordable classic car insurance are readily available. There's but one stumbling block on the way to Spitfire heaven: unmolested, well documented, pristine examples are getting very hard to find. All the more reason to watch this one closely… Looking back, you realize that, somewhere in time, the chapter of the true British Roadster has ended. It has ended with the introduction of engine management systems; it has ended with the worldwide popularity of power steering, power windows, power tops, and power-assisted thinking, even in Her Majesty's Kingdom. It has ended with the Triumph. This Triumph Spitfire 1500 however is up to any task imaginable. It could serve as a show car, a "new" old car to relive the good old days, or simply as a reliable, economical, FUN daily driver during ANY time of the year. At the very least, no matter where you go, you’ll see a smile on everyone’s face, including your own. To state it succinctly: It delivers on its promise! Presently, we have a clear, California Title. CA tax, license and registration fees have been pre-paid through June, 2016 and a fresh CA smog Certificate will be provided to complete Title transfer here in CA. Local sales tax and DMV transfer fees apply to residents in CA. Please note that all sales are binding and final. Please carefully read the terms & conditions of the sale before bidding. Winning this auction does not entitle you to come inspect the car and decide if you want to buy it, but obligates you to complete the purchase! A $1,000 deposit via PayPal is due within 24 hours of the auction close... NO EXCEPTIONS. If you have ZERO or negative feedback, please message us on eBay to request our authority to bid on this car PRIOR TO BIDDING. Check out the feedback from other eBay members who have purchased cars from us in the past. We pride ourselves on our lengthy (though accurate) descriptions and detailed photos. Pre-purchase inspections are welcome and encouraged. For those of you who need to fly in, we can provide transportation from John Wayne International (SNA) Airport. LAX is 40 miles away. We can also recommend accommodations within a short distance. Because this is over a 37-year-old car, it is being sold in AS-IS CONDITION and comes with absolutely NO WARRANTIES EITHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED. This Triumph TR6’s present condition and buying terms have been described as accurately as possible. If you have ANY questions or want to schedule a personal or 3rd party inspection, please email us. You will receive a prompt response. This is certainly one of the finest Triumphs in the nation. Appreciating daily, the car is offered here with No Reserve. What a great opportunity to purchase a prime surviving example of one of the World's most acclaimed fun Roadster, the immortal Spitfire 1500 which is sure to remain an outstanding investment for the winning bidder and a joy to drive for many years to come. Thank you, good luck and HAPPY BIDDING!