Needs Brakes: 1978 Triumph Spitfire 1500
With winter rapidly approaching, now is the ideal time to splash some cash on a classic British sports car. I can hear some of you sighing and contemplating whether I have lost touch with reality because driving around in snow and ice behind the wheel of a drop-top doesn’t sound like fun. However, spending productive hours in the garage addressing any potential shortcomings would see the months fly past. That is the opportunity offered by this 1978 Triumph Spitfire 1500. It is a dry-climate classic with minor mechanical needs. It is also an affordable alternative for someone seeking a first project candidate. The seller has listed the Triumph here on Craigslist in Tracy, California. They set their price at $4,000, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder ToddK for spotting this sweet little gem.
The Triumph Spitfire, in various forms, enjoyed a long production run. The first examples appeared in showrooms in 1962, with the final cars rolling off the line in 1980. Triumph introduced the Spitfire 1500 in 1974 as the last iteration, and our feature car found its first home in 1978. Its history is unclear, although it appears it has resided in a dry climate throughout its life. The Tara Green paint holds a respectable shine, but a close inspection reveals minor chips and marks in keeping with a car that has been enjoyed as its creators intended. However, with straight panels and a lack of rust, the new owner could elect to preserve this classic and enjoy all it offers. The Black soft-top is free from rips and tears, while the buyer also receives a color-matched hardtop in good order. One wheel is missing its center cap, but the wheels are in good order. The trim shines nicely, although the bumper over-riders would mysteriously “fall off” if I found this Spitfire in my workshop. It will be fascinating to see how many readers share that sentiment.
This Spitfire’s interior is a surprise because it presents well for its age. The center armrest is torn beyond repair, but a brief online search revealed a couple of spotless secondhand replacements for under $60. Therefore, rectifying that fault won’t break the bank. I noticed that both door caps show deterioration and damage. However, replacements will lighten the new owner’s wallet by a mere $100 for the pair. That would be money well spent. The Black vinyl and Houndstooth cloth seatcovers are free from significant flaws, the carpet is clean, the timber dash fascia looks very nice, and the only remaining mystery is what hides beneath the dash cover. It could be a protective measure, or it might be there to camouflage a cracked pad. It looks tidy, and leaving it untouched would be fine if the new owner is working to a budget. The factory radio has made way for a modern CD unit, with box speakers mounted behind the seats. The interior presentation would be readily acceptable for a survivor-grade classic with the armrest and door caps replaced.
Winding the Spitfire’s engine to the redline and dropping the clutch won’t pin occupants in their seats because the 1,491cc four generates a modest 53hp and 69 ft/lbs of torque. The power feeds to the road via a four-speed manual transmission, and while it will never be a jet, those willing to row the shifter can have some fun behind the wheel. This beauty runs and drives, but stopping is a problem due to the lack of brakes. The seller doesn’t identify the cause of the problem, but these aren’t sophisticated cars. Parts are cheap and plentiful, meaning splashing a few dollars and spending time in the workshop could see this Triumph return to active service without too much financial stress.
We’ve recently seen a few promising classic British sports cars at Barn Finds, but this 1978 Triumph Spitfire 1500 is one of the better examples. Its needs seem minor, and most shortcomings could be tackled in a home workshop without spending a king’s ransom. The seller’s price is definitely affordable, meaning it will undoubtedly attract attention. If a classic of this type has been on your radar, you may need to act fast. I doubt it will be on the market for long.
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Comments
Yes-lose the rubber baby buggy bumpers, fix the brakes and drive it while you can.
Come winter driving conditions, park it in the garage and fix the niggling little things and check the CV boots on the rear drive needle bearings-they appeared to be made from tissue paper.
This looks like it’s a decent ride and great fun for little investment.
And yes, before anyone says anything they’re no match for the twit with the SUV or even the CUV-but that SUV is no match for a Peterbilt either so we live our lives accordingly..
Bought a 1980 new. I always loved the full black bumpers over the chrome. Far less antiquated looking.
Strip the smog stuff, up the carburetion, and get a few more ponies!
As the proud owner of multiple Triumph cars, including two Spitfires, it’s my firm belief the humble Spitfire is the most bang for the buck! I love my TR6 and GT6s, but the Spitfire is the most fun to cruise the back roads. The ride is comfortable, steering predictable, and one truly feels “connected” with the car–not isolated, like the garbage being produced today.
Replacement parts are plentiful and reasonably-priced so long as you stay away from the poorly-made/dangerous Chinese parts. If one has an ounce of mechanical ability and is armed with a Haynes manual, one can easily perform most repairs.
Join your local Triumph club! Great network of people who are willing to share their knowledge to help you keep the car going. Remember this: “It is more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow”. And steer clear of distracted/compromised drivers!
Nothing as to.mileage in the ad, but looks to be in very nice shape for that price. The worn armrest is aftermarket, so that can be pitched. A correction to the write-up…. having owned a new one back in the day, I can tell you there WAS no factory radio.
Could someone more knowledgable than me address the front crankshaft bearing thrust washer issue? Nothing to fear irrationally but forewarned is forearmed! This looks like a deal to me! GLWS
Missed any comment on the thrust washers but you can put a complete set of crank bearings on these engines without taking the engine out. Thrust bearings are a must in any engine as they wear from using the clutch every time you shift.
Unsure if this is the response you wanted. I have never changed out thrust washers unless I was rebuilding an engine. Then it was simply following protocol when measuring crankshaft end float. Using the dial indicator, I was always able to install the proper thrush washers to get it within tolerance.
I’ve rebuilt my share of engines in my time, including the small block in my Cobra, Chevrolet V6, & V8 engines for friends, VW, Renault Dauphine, Triumph TR6, and MGB. Phenomenal feeling when you take something completely apart, uncover past sins of previous so-called mechanics, rebuild it, and ultimately when it roars to life.
This 1500 spitfire still has a couple of years left to comply to Califoornia smog laws for title transfer.– yet I am unsure about other states. The “Malaise Era” of 5MPH bumpers, the first Cat Converters, and extra added features to carburetion, Ignition timing, and needed “De-Tuning” to comply- all took their toll as unwanted add-ons Eventually these 1500’s crack the exhaust manifold due to poor aloy, weight, Vibration, and Hi-Temperatures.. Yet many “Must-Haves” are still needed to comply. I have rebuilt over 100 of this version EGR valves, for instance– for many years that also fits XJS and Migets. Just a side line at my shop–keeping compliance parts still available. Restoration of all smog related pieces for all makes and models has kept us quite busy, and creative for MANY years. Quite a challenge! We love what we do! Nothing quite as satisfying as returning a car to the road!
“Needs brakes”, yeah, that’s a good starting point, I suppose. Once it DOES transport you down the road, brakes are paramount. However, if you think for a minute that’s all it needs, you are sadly mistaken. Before I got the Jeep, I looked at a couple Spitfire 1500s. One, had a Weber and a slew of repairs, but needed so much more and the seller was clearly tired of it. Plus, once we did get it going( faulty ign. switch) it was gutless and drove poorly, and the hood and doors shook, I said no thanks, and so did everybody else that looked at it, I gathered. Price was dropping fast. I helped my daughters friend repair a 1500, guess what was 1st,,,the brakes. While these British parts houses have everything, it’s going to cost you, with hundreds in just the brakes alone. No O/D, I’m telling you, 3700 rpms gets mighty old, and wouldn’t consider one without it. While if you simply must, I’d leave the rubber bumper things on, the way people drive today, even though a RAM dually will back right over it. Did you hear something, ma?
epilogue: pass on the Spitfire and go the MGB route.