Go for it ! plenty of patina to go around ! although plenty of beer would probably help.....

 

That was its reputation, but it's main problem was the mix of materials in the engine. Specifically the block was iron and the head was aluminium which meant it was critical that the coolant was the correct mix. If it wasn't the cooling system would clog up with corrosion by products and the engine would overheat and blow its head gasket.

I had a Herald 13/60 convertible as my first car that I completely rebuilt after the chassis rusted through. The only bit I didn't rebuild was the diff. You can strip most of the car just with a 1/2" spanner and lots of plus gas and all of the engines, drivetrain and running gear is common between the spitfire, gt6, herald and vitesse.

The mk3 is my favourite Spit. It has the best mix of the older looks but with the 1296cc engine. The mk4's handling with the swing spring was better but I just don't like the look of the car as much. I'd agree with Gad in avoiding the 1500. It's just a stroked 1296 and is not an engine suited to a sports car.

 

The 1500 Spitfire has the added disadvantage of "wax" jets in the carb which tend to get sticky when hot....It's an asthmatic lump - c75bhp if I recall, although c85 is possible with head work, a free flowing (Triumph Tune) exhaust and some decent carbs.

The overdrive is good fun - you can tell people you have a 7 speed gearbox (8 if you fiddle with it to allow O/S in first)

 

I may well end up with a 1500 as there's lots of them and should the plan fail, I'll just scrap it.

 

Noooooh !! go for the 1300, earlier car, much better bet


Here you go , mark 3 1300 resto.

http://www.tssc.org.uk/tssc/classifi...ssified_ID=332



Model name Engine Year Number built
Triumph Spitfire 4 (Mark 1) 1147 cc inline 4 Oct 1962 – Dec 1964 45,753[1]
Triumph Spitfire 4 Mark 2 1147 cc inline 4 Dec 1964 – Jan 1967 37,409[1]
Triumph Spitfire Mark 3 1296 cc inline 4 Jan 1967– Dec 1970 65,320[1]
Triumph Spitfire Mark IV 1296 cc inline 4 Nov 1970 – Dec 1974 70,021[1]
Triumph Spitfire 1500 1493 cc inline 4 Dec 1974 – Aug 1980 95,829[1]