Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge 1963 triumph spitfire convertible

i am going to look at a triumph spitfire tonite to possibly buy it. the car has been parked in a garage since 1986 and not used. is there anything in particular i need to look at that these cars had problems with?? the guy is asking $500 for it. i'm sure it doesnt run or move but i thought it might be a good project for my son and i to complete before he starts driving (2 years) thanks cliff

Talk to JCBullen in Arkansas. He brought and restored a spitfire.

Great little cars if they are running right.

When you get it home, be sure to check the front wheel bearings. Pull the fuel tank and check it for rust through. Not sure on the Spitfire, but that was a real problem on the TR2, 3 and 4. Also, be prepared to weld in a new bottom in the battery box as those were eaten through unless the car has had very good care.

Check for rust here, rust there, and rust everywhere. Also check the drive train. These things have U-joints that fall apart just by looking at them crossways. The '63 was the second year the Spit was imported, if I recall, and is a desirable year just for its rarity, but be prepared to spend way more in the restoration than the car will ever be sellable for, and also be prepared for the fact of life that, although these little cars are 'cute as a button,' they are also small, uncomfortable, don't handle that well (compared to even a '63 Ford Falcon), are notoriously unreliable (a gift from Lucas, and British automotive engineering!), have 6 volt positive ground electrical systems (Thanks AGAIN, Lucas!), Whitworth hardware, seem to leak even when it isn't raining, and stop and corner with drum unassisted brakes and 13" skinny wheels about as well as a frenzied cat on a freshly waxed floor. Be also prepared to be laughed at by small children at bus stops and stopped by strangers who say things like, 'I used to own one of those...'

IF you are prepared for all of the above, then go forth with eyes and pocket book open. If I had to do it all over again, I have to honestly say that I would spend my money on a BMW Z3 in decent condition or on a Porsche Speedster or Spyder replicar. Restoring that little car was a passion, and selling it was a pleasure.

I forgot to add that you will soon become close friends with Victoria British. Avoid buying parts off of E-bay unless you just can't source what you are looking for from anywhere else. I think of the parts I got off of E-bay, at least 90% turned out to be either unusable or were worse than the part I was trying to replace.

Sweet deal Cliff. My stepdad bought me a '72 Spitfire just prior to my senior year of high school. We spent the summer and fall restoring it. Real fun car and it never stopped turning heads until the day I sold it.

The best part about owning one is ............................................................................... .......................................................... well, I had three of them, one of which went to JC Bullen, another to a local and the third................ well, I just do not remember where I parked it last and don't really care, Seriously !!!!!

Buuuuuuurrrrrrrrrrrrppppppppp !!!!!!!!

Great! Also, check out Moss for parts catalogs. The best thing about the spitfire is how easy it is to work on the engine. The whole bonnet flips forward, and you can just plop down on a front wheel to do your work. Not sure if the '63 had twin SU's or a single Stromberg carb. If dual, then be sure to buy a carb balancer.

$500 is a great price. Like others have said. U-joints on the rear axle and prop shaft. Also, make sure you fog the engine before you try to turn it over. You might be suprised that it may not take much to get it going. Oh, one other thing to check is the fuel pump which should be on the left (US driver side) of the engine. Usually the diaphragm will be wrecked after sitting for so long, and you will not get any fuel pressure. There is a little hand pump leaver there that you can use to check the operation (after disconnecting the fuel lines).

I had (emphasis on had) a 62 austin healey sprite, 64 TR4, 62 Spitfire, 66 GT6+. I am very exited for you. I would get another car, but I have no room anymore with a family and all. So now I restore bikes.

Yeah, I restored one also. and I hated em when I raced a bugeye sprite. You will probably need to replace the transverse rear leafspring, they are weak. the outriggers on the (wishbone) frame rust and break too.
G

When you close the doors, the panel gaps either side should be even. If they are smaller at the top, the car could well have sunk in the middle. Difficult and pricey to fix properly. Good luck, They are a sweet little motor

thanks everyone--------but it sounds like way more work than it's worth---------cliff

I had a '64 Spitfire in red. Neat and fun to drive. Mine burned oil and I let it get too low and blew up the engine. I had it rebuilt but the mechanic did something to the carbs and one of them always stuck so I had to start the engine and open the hood and push on a sticky part of the carb and it ran great until you turned it off. Repeat procedure. Made a bundle when I sold it years later as it became kinda rare. Lucas electrics (he invented the word dark) were a pain but the car was fun for a young fella. Today you could not give me one of those.