Triumph Spitfire 1964

Description:

Description from The Vendor:

The first Triumph Spitfires, styled by Giovanni Michelotti, were one of the most beautiful cars of the early 1960s. This Mark 1, known also as a Spitfire 4, is also now extremely rare with www.howmanyleft.co.uk reporting only 22 remaining against 104 Mark 2s and almost 600 Mark 3 & 4s.

I have owned the car for a little over ten years and deciding to sell her has been really hard but I need the garage space for my next project. I have carried out a comprehensive refurbishment of the car with invoices on the file from Triumph specialist parts supplier, Rimmer Bros, totalling more than £2,000. In addition, the engine has been replaced and although not warranted, the replacement unit was stated as having done only 22,000miles. The engine is a 1296cc unit (from a Mark 4) which provides superior performance over the original 1147cc unit which Autoexpress magazine describe as “rather gutless powerplants.” The way the engine starts and stops shows how good the compression is. With Twin SU carburettors and a favourable power to weight ratio the drive is quite exhilarating! A new clutch was fitted when the engine was changed and a significant part of the copper brake lines were replaced together with the engine hoses, clutch and brake master cylinder and clutch slave cylinder.

The car is stored in a heated garage and never goes out when wet. It would be prudent to Waxoyl the underside if not kept in such conditions. The car has barely covered more than 100 miles a year. All four Goodyear tyres are in almost new condition on immaculate wire wheels.

In addition to the hardtop, there is a soft-top and tonneau, both in almost new condition.

There is a history file with past MOTs and invoices for parts used. Also included is the Haynes workshop manual and a Haynes restoration manual. A new head gasket set, copper brake pipes, new wiper blades and other parts are also included.

A more modem stereo radio/cassette is fitted with rear speakers for driving pleasure. Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon is in the player. Whilst it’s not quite early enough music for this car, it is still an appropriate playlist for the era of the Spitfire!

Auctioneer’s notes:

This is really a cracking example of a Mark 1 and only 22 are left says the vendor who has owned her for the past 10 years. She really is a good-looking car, Giovanni Michelotti certainly knew his onions (or should I say tomatoes) and with the benefit of the larger engine she will be great fun to drive.  In the file you will find invoices, totalling £2070 plus a Gov.MOT history and she comes with some great extras, i.e. hard top, chrome wire wheels, wood rim steering wheel etc.  Come and view this car, strictly by appointment.