Fun, high-maintenance convertible
The carburetor is not very good. It leaks and should be rebuilt or replaced if original.
The body is very prone to rust.
The is extremely fun to drive, like a glorified go-cart. It handles well, but very small inside and out. Only practical if you can work on them and you will work on them.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 18th November, 2003
A fun little car for the weekends
Carburetor rebuild
Ignition system rebuild
Faulty fuel pump
Faulty speedometer and tachometer cables
Faulty exhaust system
Ignition wiring fire
Leaky heater valve
Corroded battery box and battery cables
Faulty voltage regulator
Worn seats, carpet, convertible top, and weather stripping.
It's an old Spitfire, so naturally there are things that are wrong with it. There are still intermittent running problems that occur, but the rebuild of the Stromberg CD150 carburetor and the entire ignition system has gone a long way towards making the vehicle much more reliable. I trust it to get me to work a few days a week, but wouldn't want to drive it more than 50 miles from my house.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 1st March, 2002
All faulty items listed are wearable items that need to be replaced in time... No fault of the parts, just past their time.
Just one thing... what's it cost? If I have to ask I can't afford it, right?
You must be kidding... an old Spitfire is about the cheapest way to experience vintage British sports car (TR-7's don't count)
I had a 1968 Spitfire back in the late seventies and loved it.
It drove like a street legal go-cart and returned excellent gas mileage. These cars have a legendary tight turning circle, and the steering was light as a feather. It was more fun to drive than my '66 MGB.
The routine maintenance was easy because of the excellent access to the engine when the bonnet was opened. The only other car like that was the Jaguar XKE. In fact we used to call the Spitfire GT-6 the "Baby Jag".
I bought a 1970 spitfire brand new. It was a great little car.
Drove it every where. One year I put the top down and the tonneau cover on in early March, and didn't put the top back up until mid November. This was in Ohio, so it got a little chilly.
About 1987 I ran out of gas on my way to work at 2:00 am in the morning. Parked up on the side walk and walked the rest of the way to work. At 4:00 am the police called and said it was in the middle of the road upside down. Some losers thought it was funny to flip it and beat the crap out of it.
I would have kicked the crap out of them if I could have caught them. Loved that car.
Great fun car to drive
The master clutch cylinder broke.
The dash caught on fire twice.
The lights went off few times while I was driving at night.
Even though I had some problems with this car, I love it.
It's a very fun car to drive.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 11th April, 2001
A kids go-kart with a licence plate. Whee!
Nothing.
Surprisingly reliable little machine! This one never learned it was supposed to break down constantly. Lot of fun.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 30th May, 2000
Emissions equipment. Difficult to find new and used are expensive - yet required for state smog tests.
Fun car for cheap open top driving pleasure. Excellent engine bay access makes it an ideal enthusiast home mechanics car. Everything is right there in front of you. Interior looks nice but is a bit cramped for some. Most parts easily obtained.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know
Review Date: 10th July, 1999
1st Jan 2009, 11:33
Spot on comments. It's fun, but if you don't do your own wrenching it would become a nightmare very fast.
I liked mine and enjoyed the challenge of keeping it up.