That split window is beautiful. It's also the first car I rode in exceeding 100 MPH!

 

My first 100+ mph ride was in an E-Type that belonged to a buddy in the service. At the time that thing was a beast.

Rob, that split window is in what I always thought was by far the best color offered. When I was a teen, a neighbor had one in that color that I thought looked just fantastic, one reason it made my list.

 

I get the appeal of the split window but my Spitfire handled better then my '63 Vette. I only wished I would have kept it because it's value went up.

 

I bid heavily but unsuccessfully on a 74 Spitfire that was just a few miles from here and was listed on BaT. After inspecting the car in person I set a limit for myself of $7,500. It sold for just $7,850. I'm still kicking myself for not going higher. First car I ever owned was a Mark I Spit.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/19...ph-spitfire-6/

 

Sorry you missed that one Mike. First car I ever owned was a 1963 Mark 1 Spit as well. Purchased new in Paris. Were you in NY state then. I drove mine year round.

 

Dave, I owned mine while living in San Antonio, so it never saw snow. It did, however, my heavy handed and quite unsuccessful attempt to replace the head gasket with a hammer, a crescent wrench and a couple of screw drivers. It was not running when I sold it to my roommate who just had to have it for some reason. He was transferred overseas soon thereafter and as far as I know it never ran again.

 

I always thought the clamshell hood was a good design, looked like it would make it easier to work on the engine.