Lightweight, small size, sporty styling, and a name pulled from the famous World War II fighter plane combined to make the car an instant hit sold in the hundreds of thousands. (The less powerful North American version continued to use a single Zenith Stromberg carburetor and an 8.5:1 compression ratio) due to the German DIN system; the output was the same for the early Mark IV. Thrills dont come much cheaper than with one of these; even less costly than an equivalent MG Midget or B, the Spitfire is perhaps the cheapest way of enjoying topless motoring. Viable projects can still be found for around 850. In 2016 The Journal, brought to you by ClassicCars.com, was celebrated as the SECOND MOST INFLUENTIAL automotive blog in the world by NFC Performance. Youre going to struggle to find anything that offers the same amount of fun as the Spitfire, if youre on a seriously tight budget, but such low values are a double-edged sword because theres a lot of rubbish available as a result. [14] Also added for the model's final years were a wood dash, hazard flashers and an electric screen washer, in place of the previous manual pump operated ones. First sold in 1962 and staying in production for a whopping 18 years, the Spitfire embodied the essence of the mid-century British convertible. According to Classic & Sports Car, a concours condition example, today will fetch about $16,500, as will the similar Mk Is and IIIs. All rights reserved.Auto Express is a registered trade mark. Many know the company either for its popular TR series, which was built throughout the 1950s, '60s, and '70s, or for its early days as a motorcycle manufacturer, which led to the establishment of the separate Triumph Engineering Co. Ltd. (since revived as Triumph Motorcycles). Lower trunnions need regular lubrication with heavy oil they will seize and snap the kingpin if neglected or if grease dries and goes hard inside. Thanks to the Spitfire's striking good looks, Leyland executives approved production without hesitation. There are plenty of project Spitfires about, but if you want to restore the car properly, even at home, youll be doing well to break even if you buy something that needs a complete overhaul. 1973 Triumph Spitfire 1500 73k mi 73,287 mi Redwood City, CA, USA. The four-cylinder engine originates from the Standard Eight of the early 1950s, but is lively enough and can be tuned for more performance. Its great fun, but less practical overall than the more spacious and comfortable Spitfire; rot is also a bit more difficult to repair. The mere mention of the early days of the European supercar conjures thoughts of the sleek lines of a Lamborghini Miura. Anti-roll bar: the anti-roll bar links can also break, but at just 8 each thats nothing to worry about. Popular Cars for Sale. Absolutely zero rust. Set an alert to be notified of new listings. Panelfit is a good guide to the quality of restoration and likelihood of problems: dont be taken in by shiny paint alone. While British cars of the '60s (and other periods) have a reputation for failing to hold up. /valuation-tools/Triumph/Spitfire/1973/1973-Triumph-Spitfire-Mk_IV All Spitfires should have adequate braking for modern traffic; if not, allow for a rebuild. Thanks to its separate-chassis construction, Triumphs Herald provided the perfect platform from which to develop a new two-seater open-topped sportscar, even if the mechanicals were derived from the 1953 Standard Eight. Assess sills, bulkhead and rear radius-arm mounts with care. If the car has been in a major shunt, the damage will be obvious; any prang big enough to distort the main chassis will have wrecked the cars delicate panels. 1973 Triumph Spitfire Pricing Original MSRP N/a Price range $14,495 to $14,495 Average price on CG $14,495 YoY price change $14,495 to $14,495 Date Sep 22 Oct 22 Nov 22 Dec 22 Jan 23 Feb 23 Price (US $) $15,000 $20,000 $25,000 $30,000 1975 Triumph Spitfire 1974 Triumph Spitfire 1973 Triumph Spitfire 1972 Triumph Spitfire Index Price In 1970, Michelotti once again turned his attention to the car, cleaning up the front and rear and engineers finally resolved the treacherous swing axles. The 1980 model was the last and the heaviest Spitfire, weighing 1,875lb (850.5kg). A limited number of U.S. market 1970s were adorned with an RAF style "Spitfire" badge (U.K. models had a plain badge without the RAF roundel) that rested in the right corner (car opposing point of view) of the bonnet. You're the high bidder. The American market Spitfire 1500 is identified by large plastic over-riders and wing mounted reflectors on the front and back wings/fenders. Chassis damage: its the small knocks that are likely to cause you the most problems, as they may be harder to spot. Exterior trim featured a new grille and badges, and the interior featured revised seats, covering most exposed surfaces with rubber cloth. Used Triumph convertibles for sale in Dover-Foxcroft, ME Product worked and fit as expected. Triumph was caught flat-footed by rival BMCs introduction of the Austin-Healey Sprite and the MG Midget. The Austin-Healey Sprite had proven there was a demand for small cars with sporty intentions. and enthusiasts with insights for the collector car industry - including market values, price comparisons, listing alerts and more. 1979 VW Beetle convertible. It claimed a top speed of 96 mph and a reduced 0 - 60 time of 14.8 seconds. built 226,526 Mpg 30-42 0-60mph 12.3 secs Top speed 101mph Price new 928 (1971) Price now 3-5000+. Triumph Spitfire (1962 to 1981) The Triumph Spitfire is a small British two-seat sports car, introduced at the London Motor Show in 1962. The "Spitfire 4" name indicated the possibility of the appearance of a six-cylinder version. RELATED:Here's How Much A Datsun 240Z Is Worth Today. The seller notes that the energy absorbing bumper covers were removed when the car was painted. Once this has happened, a bottom-end rebuild is necessary. built 124,660 Mpg 33-43 0-60mph 15.6 secs Top speed 96mph Price new c1070 (1971) Price now 6-8500+. Triumph 1973 Triumph Spitfire History Gallery Recalls Valuation Mk 4 (1971 - 1974) 1971 1972 1973 These are standard specifications - not necessarily specifications for the vehicle (s) in the photo (s). However, the two-seater Spitfire convertible was one of Triumph's crowning achievements. Check for weak synchros and dip the clutch in neutral to listen for layshaft noise. Like new 1979 new tires new breaks new shocks everything is, Car has new fuel tank, new hydraulic clutch, new seat upholstery, new carpet. The MkIV had been rebuilt; Ive done 45,000 miles in it over the years its my general hack in the summer and it has been extremely reliable. I have no intention of parting with it, but I am planning to fit an overdrive gearbox.. My friend went for a Midget, but Im so glad that I bought the Spitfire its that little bit better for general use and wins hands down on comfort. Swing-axle rear suspension works better than most think, especially in swing-spring form. The rear end was redesigned, resulting in improved cargo space. The vehicle was based on a design produced for Standard-Triumph in 1957 by Italian designer Giovanni Michelotti. The hardtop was redesigned and improved. CLASSIC CARS. Triumph Spitfire years | Hagerty Valuation Tools Styled for Standard-Triumph in 1957 by Italian designer Giovanni Michelotti, the Spitfire was introduced at the London Motor Show in 1962. This was originally bought by me in 2017 after a wait of twe. [1] Top speed was claimed to be 96mph (154km/h) and its 060mph time of 14.8 seconds was considered "lively". A new quieter exhaust gave a sweet distinct note and reduced cabin noise. Front valance rots fast on MkIV/1500. This improvement was short-lived, however, as the ratio was again reduced to 7.5:1 for the remaining years of production. Taking a cue from the Sprite's downsizing of an existing model Austin, the Triumph Spitfire was developed from the Triumph Herald sedan, shortening the chassis and redesigning the body for a sportier look. Track recent comps for the classic or exotic cars you own - or the cars you want. Optional overdrive was a big plus over Spridgets. 1970:The MkIV bring another facelift, plus an all-synchromesh gearbox and more predictable handling thanks to revised rear suspension. [1], For 1964 an overdrive became optional to the four-speed manual gearbox. If the top of the wheel has disappeared above the wheelarch, the spring needs to be renewed. These wear out and are a pain to remove as a press is needed. However, theres a good chance that something else will be fitted, such as an engine starting G (Herald), D (Dolomite) or Y (1500 saloon). All Rights Reserved. Michelottis clever MkIV restyle for the 70s helped the car last to late 1980 with the long-stroke 1493cc unit, kept in production like the Midget due to BLs inability to replace it. Their high production numbers also mean that examples are relatively simple to locate. GRP is a good remedy but it is hard to fit the top lip seals that help to support bonnet; theyre often omitted, as here. Additional exterior changes introduced included a zip up rear window, black radiator grille and a black (vs body coloured) windscreen surround. These cars were essentially MkIV's with 1500 badges and engine. If you don't win, the pre-authorization will be released. Named after the famed Battle of Britain fighter plane, the early Spitfires beauty was, however, largely skin deep. 1973: Triumph: Spitfire: Base: 1.5L 1493CC 91Cu. Other issues includea small leak from the oil pan gasket, and a clutch system that requires are-bleed to improve the shifting performance of the four-speed gearbox. The cabin presents well with somewear present on the dash pad, wood fascia, and door panels. Crankshaft thrust washers are prone to wear get someone to press the clutch while you watch the front pulley to see if it moves; the block gets damaged if movement is excessive. Because the Spitfire was generally the most highly tuned of the lot, you need to make sure the engine fitted is the one that belongs there, as less powerful units are often substituted from other Triumph models. Bushes: the nylon bushes in the brass trunnions can wear, so feel for play with a crowbar. Rear suspension was by a single transverse-leaf swing axle,[8] an arrangement, that unless ameliorated by any of several options, can allow rear tyres to undergo large camber changes during fast cornering, leading to oversteer a dynamically unstable condition in which a vehicle can lose control and spin. There's a problem with connection to server. Also listen for whining, indicating that the gears have worn, or rumbling, which signifies the bearings are on their way out. An aftermarket stereo and wood-rimmed Momo steering wheel have been fitted. Fair Market Value Insurance - Resale KBB - List Price MSRP - NADA Private Sale These have been temporarily saved. by babetskt Jun 12, 2019. Bucket-list classics: whats on your list? Bidding will advance immediately to $. According to Classic & Sports Car, a concours condition example, today will fetch about $16,500, as will the similar Mk Is and IIIs. The diff should be quiet and relatively clonk-free; it is prone to leak especially if the breather is blocked so topping up may help. When you think of classic cars, certain images come to mind; certain associations that are too strong to be avoided. Imperfections are said to be limited to a dent in the passenger side front fender and a scratch on the rear fender. Giovanni Michelotti, Triumphs favorite Italian designer came up with a design for the Herald chassis that unlike the Sprite and Midget, was truly beautiful. 1973 Triumph Prices, Values & Pictures - J.D. Power - NADAguides [1] Fuel economy was 32mpgimp (8.8L/100km; 26.6mpgUS).[1]. Clean and runs well. In SU twin-carburettor form, the engine put out a claimed 75bhp (56kW) at 6,000 rpm, and 75lbft (102Nm) of torque at 4,000 rpm, and made the Mark III a comparatively quick car by the standards of the day. 1975 Triumph Spitfire 45,504 mi $ 13,950 or $230/mo 1975 Triumph spitfire, new top, color matched interior, inline 4 cylinder engine mated to a 4 speed manual gear box. It remained unchanged until 1979 when it gained large, rubber bumpers before bowing out entirely in 1980. Find your next car in our classifieds the classic of your dreams could be just a click away (l-r) Neat Hardtop featured bolted-on steel roof and no hood; Spits did well on rallies and circuits, here at Le Mans in 64, The Spitfires four-cylinder engine will do around 100,000 miles between rebuilds, if well maintained, Owner Graham Spalls MkIV has been extremely reliable, Fiat 850 Spider (left) and MG Midget are alternative buys, Rare Frua-bodied Maserati to make UK debut, The Amsterdam Job: the story of an epic classic Mini advert, C&SC presents Ferrari Legends is out now, Homologation specials join London Concours line-up. Detail improvements continued to be made throughout the 1500's production run, including reclining seats with "chequered brushed nylon centre panels" and head restraints, introduced for domestic market cars early in 1977 along with a new set of column stalk operated minor controls (as fitted already in the TR7) replacing the old dashboard mounted knobs and switches. Even with twin SU carbs, the Heralds tiny 1.1 liter engine made little power and the swing axle rear suspension made for potentially hazardous handling near the limit. This was a different approach than that taken with the Triumph GT6 Mk II (GT6+) and Triumph Vitesse Mark 2, both of which received new lower wishbones and Rotoflex half-shaft couplings. 1973 Triumph Spitfire 1500 | Hagerty Valuation Tools All Spitfires are attractive, inexpensive to maintain, easy to find parts for and offer a great deal of fun for the money. Good value. The car was an instant hit and outsold BMCs Spridget rivals, ultimately sharing its 1500 engine with the last Midgets. The engine used a revised camshaft and a distributor with idle speed ignition timing retarded to address emissions. Triumph 1973 Toledo 1500 - discontinued in October 1500 TC - new model in October Dolomite 2000 / 2.5PI Mk II Spitfire Mk IV GT6 Mk 3 - discontinued TR6 Stag Great Britain . 1976 Spitfire 1500 with hardtop & soft top plus tonneau cove. External door locks and roll-up side windows were pleasant upgrades from what could be expected on similar cars like the Bugeye Sprite, though, and the driving experience offered by the Spitfire was by no means an unpleasant one. Although, Giovanni Michelotti, the Italian designer who had also worked on everything from the Herald to Ferraris to BMWs to Fiats. Les meilleures offres pour For Triumph Spitfire & GT6 1968-1973 New KYB Rear Shock Absorber TCP sont sur eBay Comparez les prix et les spcificits des produits neufs et d'occasion Pleins d'articles en livraison gratuite! The car is powered by a non-original 1500cc inline-four with a Weber carburetor backed by a four-speed manual transmission. Small engines: these two smaller engines will usually clock up 100,000 miles without problems, with the first sign of wear usually being a chattering top end because of erosion of the rocker shaft and rockers. Your CA Privacy Rights (Shine the Light) 1959 Triumph TR3 1973 Triumph TR-6 1974 Triumph TR6 1975 Triumph TR6 1979 Triumph Spitfire: Free Links: Classified Ads: Find Value: Ask Question: Questions: Answers: Session ID: Used Values: Start: A to Z: Blue Book: . The 1500 Spitfire now produced 71hp (DIN) at 5,500 rpm, and produced 82lbft (111Nm) of torque at 3,000 rpm. The BaT Service Fee is 5% of the bid, with a minimum of $250 up to a maximum of $5,000. The lower rockers and floorboard metal appearing free of corrosion beyond light surface rust. Your bid of $ is $ more that the current high bid of $. The Triumph Spitfire was launched in 1962, and aimed to compete with the Austin-Healey Sprite, but in the same year another rival also surfaced the MGB. In 1970, Michelotti once again turned his attention to the car, cleaning up the front and rear and engineers finally resolved the treacherous swing axles. Theres also a wider rare track, to overcome handling issues. During the restoration, a roll bar was installedand the seats werere-upholstered. 13 Appliance mesh wheels are wrapped in taller Sumitomo rubber that rub at slow speeds. Crankshaft wear: the 1493cc engine fitted to the Spitfire 1500 has problems of its own, as the crankshaft can wear badly, along with the pistons and rings. Suspension: the rear suspension can also give problems, but its generally easy to overhaul, with one key exception; the wheel bearings. Hardtops rust, so check around the front lip and side/rear windows. This prestigious accolade represents the continued growth of the company, and ClassicCars.com's dominance as the world's largest online marketplace for IV engine displaced 1,296cc (79.1cuin) throughout the production run, and in 1973 received larger big-end bearings to rationalise production with the TR6 2.5-litre engines. l4 GAS OHV Naturally Aspirated [Clutch Slave Cylinder] . Under the bonnet, some markets had the twin SU carburettors replaced with a single Zenith-Stromberg carburettor.[12]. Home Markets Garage What's your classic cars value? The interior dashboard was updated; the instruments were now in front of the driver rather than in the center console. We update the Hagerty Price Guide each quarter. The Spitfire's introduction was delayed by its company's financial troubles in the early 1960's and was subsequently announced shortly after Standard Triumph was taken over by Leyland Motors. The lumbering luxury of American automobiles of the late '50s is perfectly expressed in, the wide, tail fin sporting design of the Buick Invicta, Unfortunately, the Spitfire fell victim to Triumph's existing financial troubles. Buyer's guide: Triumph Spitfire - Classic & Sports Car [10], The 1968 model featured dual system (aka tandem) brakes with a brake failure warning device. Longer-ratio diffs are desirable for non-overdrive cars. Toledo Toledo (R4 cyl, 1296 cc, 58 bhp) Saloon 2-dr Saloon 4-dr. The engine was also detuned to meet new emissions regulations. Its been repainted with new upholstery, new. In the event of a claim, the guaranteed value(s) on your policy declarations page is the amount your vehicle(s) is covered for, even if the value displayed here is different. 3rd owner. Theres not much difference in values between the various Spitfire incarnations; the later cars are more usable but the earlier ones offer greater design purity. Auction Results and Sales Data for 1973 Triumph Spitfire - Conceptcarz.com Look for signs of overheating: recore the radiator every 10 years and youll have no problems. Hagerty | For People Who Love Cars [9], In UK specification the in-line four produced 63bhp (47kW) at 5,750rpm, and 67lbft (91Nm) of torque at 3,500rpm. Average cars sell for 3000-5000, with projects starting from around 1000. The Mark III, introduced in March 1967, was the first major facelift to the Spitfire. 1973 Triumph Spitfire Values - J.D. Power - NADAguides The easy access to the engine with ample room to make repairs was something no other small car manufacturer was offering at the time. Here's How Much A Datsun 240Z Is Worth Today, This Is How Much A Ferrari F40 Is Worth Today, Here's How Much A Classic Jaguar SS100 Is Worth Today, This Chevrolet Corvette C8 Widebody Could Be Inspiration For The New ZR1, Pontiac Grand Prix: The Original Muscle Car Is Back For 2023 With Bold Intentions, This 2024 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 Concept Proves GM Gave Up On Muscle Cars Too Soon, 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid: Here's What We Know, 10 Overrated Electric Crossovers We Wouldn't Waste Our Money On, The Owner Of This Neglected Lexus LS 400 Gets A Massive Repair Bill He Wasn't Expecting. I would purchase again but expect this one to last a long time. Gearbox: all of the gearboxes are reasonably long-lived, but big mileages will lead to rebuilds being necessary. The main problem with the trunnions is wear of the threaded brass at the bottom, if EP90 oil hasnt been pumped in every six months or so. Interior changes included a steering column mounted ignition switch, a key-in-ignition warning buzzer, driver's side under-dash courtesy lamp and a new black spoked steering wheel. The first thing to check in the event of non-engagement is that the electrics are working okay; theyre often the main cause of problems. 1970 Triumph Spitfire Classic Cars for Sale - Autotrader Classics Even when things sound really bad the rear axle will just keep going, but its obviously something to sort. The interior was revised to include a full-width dashboard, with instruments ahead of the driver rather than over the centre console, initially finished in black plastic and then from 1973 finished in wood. Importantly, the heavily criticised rear suspension was decambered, incorporating what Triumph called a "swing spring". In 1965, a Spitfire won its class in the Alpine Rally. Free delivery for many products! 1973 Triumph Spitfire 93,000 mi $ 11,995 or $198/mo Classic Car Deals (844) 676-0714 Cadillac, MI 49601 (644 miles away) 1 Classics on Autotrader is your one-stop shop for the best classic cars, muscle cars, project cars, exotics, hot rods, classic trucks, and old cars for sale. 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500; 2022 Ram 1500; Missed updates will be sent once your connection has been reestablished. Trim: similarly, the trim shouldnt pose any problems as most of it is being remanufactured. or $324/mo. Summer use only by owner. Triumph Spitfire: Buying guide and review (1962-1980) For more information on how we collect and use this information, please review our Privacy Policy. Sills: start by looking at the integrity of the sills; the area where they meet the rear wings is where corrosion is the most likely, and once rot takes a hold, long-lasting repairs will require skill. All except bespoke car builders had moved to monocoques, yet Standard-Triumph made a virtue out of the separate chassis, basing numerous variants on the same design and trumpeting benefits such as strength, safety and turning circle. The mere mention of the early days of the European supercar conjures thoughts of, . Sign in now to prevent your Saved Listings from expiring. Starting in 1969, US-bound models were "federalised" to comply with safety and emissions regulations. In March 1965 the Spitfire Mark II launched with a retuned engine, featuring a revised camshaft profile, water-heated intake manifold, and tubular exhaust manifold, increasing power to 67bhp (50kW) at 6,000 rpm. 1493cc/57hp 2x1bbl Add to watchlist Sorry. The Cost Of A Classic Triumph Spitfire The Mk II sold for GBP 550 when new in 1965, the equivalent today of almost GBP 11,000 or a hair under $15,000. [1] The factory claimed that at highway speeds (70mph (110km/h)) the car achieved 38.1 miles per imperial gallon (7.41L/100km; 31.7mpgUS).[1]. Everything is available and there isnt anything thats a problem to fit. However, the 060 time of 14 seconds was still faster than the Mark II. 5,450. U.S. pollution and safety regulations began to hit the Spitfire after 1967 with the Mk III heralding revised (and less attractive bumpers) and less horsepower in spite of a displacement increase to nearly 1.3 liters. Current Collector Car Value | 1973 TRIUMPH SPITFIRE Prices The Triumph Spitfire is a British sports car and manufactured over five production iterations between 1962-1980. A reduced compression ratio of 8.5:1 resulted in a slight decrease in power (68bhp) and 73ft-lbs of torque. Triumph 1973 - Classic Car Catalogue Your daily digest of everything happening on the site. All Spitfire engine numbers start with an F: FC in the case of the MkI/MkII, FD for the MkIII, FH for the MkIV (but FK for US cars) and FH for the 1500 (FM for US cars). However, youre better off buying one of these or a really good car - rather than something in the middle. **Figure based on a stock 1973 Triumph Spitfire 1500 valued at $9,700 with ON rates with $100/300K liability/UM/UIM limits. Suspension: thanks to the flip-up bonnet, the Spitfires front suspension is simplicity itself to work on. Are you sure you want to proceed? 1973 Triumph Spitfire Base Price : $3,000. The car was a popular option for drivers seeking an affordable but fun roadster, and the model stayed on the market for the better part of two decades.
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