1979 Triumph Spitfire

Convertible

4 - Cyl.

Manual

75945504

Clear

Gasoline

Being sold Without Reserve with an aggressive buy-it-now price! Short version: 1979 Spitfire 62K original miles Weber downdraft Allison Ignition Race exhaust Full Metal removable Hardtop (not the fiberglass aftermarket version) New Tires (still have the nubs on them) Newer master cylinder Newer Rad restored wheels / good trim rings Chrome Front bumper, rear removed Thrust washers feel very solid Titled and registered as an Antique in Virginia Silly fun to drive, handles well, sounds great, goes like a scalded cat and puts a smile on my face every time I drive it. Great candidate to drive for the summer, then spend the winter making her perfect. Previous owners have spent a lot of time on the running gear of the car, needs some body work and cosmetics. Far better than the majority of unrestored Spits out there. Longer Version: The background story is that this is my 3rd Spitfire -- the first was a '74, it was my first car that I literally bought with my paper route money. Unfortunately, it turned out to be more than a little rust challenged and was better suited as a parts car. Fast forward 20+ years, lord knows how many silly British cars and trucks, several restorations, and I got some sort of (as my wife put it) "need to right previous vehicle wrongs as I stare down middle age." While she was clearly wrong about the middle age part, after buying the spit it turns out she was probably right about the fact that having a Land Rover than needs constant care, a Bentley entering it's 11th year of restoration, an addition going on the house and a toddler, I simply don't have the bandwidth to take this Spit on with all the care it deserves. Here's why I bought this one: At the end of the day it's simply a solid car. It sat for 6-7 years with the previous owner, theoretically indoors. The owner before was the one that did the work on it. As far as I can tell, that owner did a surprising amount of mechanical work on it, and had started the body work. She has clearly had a lot of maintenance done (radiator, new Master Cylinder, it appears the motor's been opened up, newer alternator, etc.) and he did several modifications including the 4-tip exhaust, header, Weber Carb, Alison electric ignition, etc.). I can only assume it was also this owner that sourced the (relatively rare) full steel hardtop and a near perfect nose -- I can't find an ounce of filler in it, again, a rarity. It appears that when the PO put the new nose and hardtop on, he had the good people of Maaco do one of their "Excelsior Presidential Premier" $250 paint jobs on it; it's now all the same color, but she'll want paint when the bodywork is done. The interior appears to be relatively original with newer carpets. If you want it perfect, a set of miata seats, some $100 door cards from Moss motors and a dash cover and seals and you're on your way. She has brand new tires and restored wheels. The bodywork is where she wants some attention; outer sills need r&r, there's a small hole in the trunk and one rear outrigger needs to be patched, then paint. So all that said, she's about as sound an unrestored Spit as I found. Parts, including sills, are readily available from any number of online vendors. This car has Very good bones and a ton of potential. My intention was to spend a weekend doing fluids, going through the electrics (all 4 circuits), and then running her for the summer, then taking care of the body work over the winter. I tried to take pictures that really capture the car, both the good and the bad -- I don't want any surprises for a purchaser (hence this remarkably long description). I'm happy to show it as time allows. I bought her as a runner, which it turned out simply meant it idled. I got it home, installed an ignition assembly, accelerator cable, accelerator springs and a valve cover gasket, she now runs and drives. The brakes feel good, the suspension feels good, (most) of the gauges seem to work, and a new battery would be well received. Importantly the thrust washers feel good, so the bottom end is intact (see above about the motor being opened up), if you don't purchase this one, PLEASE make sure to check the thrust washers on any other Spit you inspect. She's low, seriously fast with the Weber, Electronic Ignition, Headers and Exhaust, turns heads and immediately plasters a smile on your face. Summary: A very solid example of a Spit that has had the important mods done to it and has solid bones. The perfect candidate for a running restoration. She's not perfect, and needs odds and ends done, but the reserve is reflective of her needs. I'm happy to answer any questions I can, and hope that she goes to another home that has slightly more time to give her the attention she deserves. The Transaction: I won't ship her, but am happy to lend a hand loading a trailer or transport (she'll want/need to be trailered to her new home). Please, no offers of strange trades, offers of a portion of your impending inheritance from your Nigerian Prince Uncle, or esoteric arrangements for wire transfers. A $500 deposit via paypal will be due within 24 hours of auction close (or cash in person if you're so inclined), with the balance due within 7 days of the end of the auction. Cash only for the balance, please. The sale is final, there's no warranty on the vehicle, and upon payment you'll receive a clear title for the car. I'm happy to answer any questions via email, and more than happy to show her in the evenings. Thanks for looking!