1971 Triumph Spitfire IV 1.3 petrol from UK and Ireland
Summary:
The cheapest way into proper sports car motoring!
Faults:
Mainly electrical problems, but usually very simple when located and cheap to rectify.
Some preventative work is required on the bodywork in order to maintain it.
General Comments:
A thoroughly good car to own, drive and maintain. unrivalled mechanical accessibility, able to keep up with modern traffic and cheaper to run than the Mini I owned before it.
The cheapest way into sports car motoring!
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 7th May, 2000
22nd Sep 2005, 16:29
I would also like to point out that the previous comment about on 3 spitfire 4's (aka Spitfire Mk I) still existing is inaccurate, admittedly they are becoming rare, but there are still several hundred left, which can be found if you look hard enough.
22nd Feb 2006, 20:55
Only 3 left!?!? Noooo, I have just been passed (for nothing ;) ) a very nice 63 Spit4. Needs restoration as it has been in dry storage since 69 after a life of being raced by my uncle. After a fluid change and a gentle tow to move the engine before starting, it started on the second crank of the starter. Now that is seriously nice going :). Gotta strip it down and rebuild it bolt by bolt now. Niiiccceee ;). There goes the next 3 years at least.
My daily drivers are a 72 spit IV and another 72 spit IV with a recon 1500 engine fitted. They are fun cars to drive and much better than the mondeo that I used to drive. Parts are cheap, maintenance is simpler than any car I could care to mention. It does need loving more often than a modern car though.
5th Feb 2005, 23:58
If that is a real Spitfire 4 then you are extremely lucky. According too many car experts and techs there were only three of these cars left in the world when my grandfather got rid of his. (junked) That means there are at most 2 left. Unless someone dug some up from somewhere and did massive rebuilding.