I made the mistake of buying a red Alfa Romeo Spider, purchase based almost entirely on looks alone. I sold it within three months for the S2000 (which I was already looking for before spotting the Alfa). If you are a driver you will hate a car that doesn't handle, has no power or cannot turn a corner without scuttle shake nor brake to a standstill without first scaring you to death. I guess I am saying, cars can look fantastic and force one into buying with the heart, never again for me however.

 

I know just what you mean, but I think I'd be happy with a classic. I think.
I should be ok at remembering that you certainly have to drive them differently, I've had a couple in the past so hopefully I'll remember
Although you do of course have a very good point, I do like a car to corner though it has to be said. I'm not too bothered about straight line acceleration or top speed(though nice on occasion of course) but I know I throw cars and are quite hard on them in that way, I have been told by my brother and a couple of others enough times! Actually I always drove my previous classic a lot harder than I probably should have. Whoops ! You have to have a bit of fun though as you will all agree

Oh damn, perhaps a cheaper 1500 spit so that I can sell it on if I don't like it afterall. Hmmm..

 

sounds like you know what you are doing and going into it with your eyes wide open, good luck I am sure you will make the right choice of classic, I would be interested in what you decide to buy for sure

 

Me too, always good to hear what interesting cars people buy and what they do with them.

I think Umski (used to post on here, not sure if he still does) used to have a Spitfire.

 

the Spitfire/Herald/Vitesse/GT6 option is hard to beat because of that fantastic access offered by the tilt bonnet and wings

I wouldn't be remotely bothered about the fact you are driving an old car - you adjust your driving style accordingly by leaving bigger braking distances, maintaining lower cruising speeds, etc

as you say LL, straight line speed is the last things these cars are about

having said that, any well-sorted Spitfire/Herald/Vitesse/GT6 will have no trouble keeping pace with modern traffic

I know it's perceived wisdom, but I would go for the 1275cc Soit over the 1500

the A-series is a lovely little engine, anyone can work on it, parts are peanuts and it can be tweaked within an inch of its life

 

You're not getting confused between the midget/sprite and spitfire are you pete?

The triumph engine is 1296cc and i've never heard it called an a series engine.

My first car was a triumph herald convertible. I loved it. By modern standards its handling was appalling. But when it oversteered (as it did a lot) it did it at much lower speeds than a modern car so you had more time to sort it out before you went off the road.

I'd go for the mk4 spitfire with the swing spring rear. It helped considerably with the independent rear suspensions habit of tucking under during hard cornering.

 

A-Series was never fitted in the Spitfire (or any triumph as far as I know). A-Series found in MG Midget/Austin Healey Sprite in various sizes (948cc/1098cc/1275cc) until replaced by the same 1500cc Standard Triumph unit found in the 1500 Spitfire in the last rubber bunper MG Midgets.

GT6 and Vitesse Mark 2 had basically (supposedly different tuning) the same 2.0 straight 6 unit with, I think, 3 Stromberg Carbs.

Spitfire 3 had a 1296 pushrod unit also found in the Triumph 1300TC (70-ish bhp) and the same basic design as the Herald 13/60 but the Herald as standard had a single carb.

The main issue for me with the Spitfire is the swing arm rear suspension which can make on limit handling something of a lottery. Dad had a Vitesse 6 in the late 60s/early 70s and loved it...

 

indeed I am!

I was aware the a series wasn't fitted to the Triumph but got my Midgets mixed up with my Spits!

 

Never mind the confusion! Absolutely agree about the A series engine and 1275 version. Also re Triumphs' bonnets

Hopefully to the Revival next year when Mike has sorted his Midget and my pesky house is finished. Better to commute daily from Hove or camp on site Gad? Getting a bit old for camping tbh and if I'm not driving it can be time you and I meet for a beer or two

 

It was always nice to be able to sit on the front wheel when working on the engine