1975 Triumph Spitfire 1500 1.5 ci from UK and Ireland

Summary:

This is the single most exciting and fun car that I have ever owned

Faults:

The alternator went on a camping trip.

The petronix ignition system went shortly thereafter,

The Weber carburator needle and seat loosened up on the way home from bowling.

The frame rotted and cracked two years ago.

General Comments:

This car is in restoration and I am looking forward to returning to little British car motoring.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 19th February, 2005

1975 Triumph Spitfire 1500 1.5 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Great and RELIABLE! Fun, everyone should have a go

Faults:

Very little, I have completed 35,000 relatively hard miles with this car, and only trival things have gone wrong. Not bad seeing it is 25 years old. It has never let me down, and I have taken her on quite a few long distance trips.

Recently rebuilt the engine to stage 2 race spec; it now goes like very quickly, and makes thick hot hatch boys look stupid.

Handling is a little dodgy, especially in the wet, but there are loads of modern bits you can fit to sort this. There isn't a new part you can't get for these cars. Also great backing from many Triumph clubs.

General Comments:

Good fun for very, very little money. If you plan on getting one, stop thinking about it and do it!! There are no more being made, and I feel that they are starting to get rare. When did you last see a Spitfire on the road?

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 17th August, 2000

20th Nov 2002, 15:57

I'm seriously considering a Spitfire as my next car. I have a Mk2 Escort at the moment (I know some people don't consider it a 'classic', but its RWD, old, and has pedigree). Anyway.. your review has made me think very hard about getting a Spitfire in the spring, thanks boss.

14th Jun 2004, 09:18

I agree with the review. My 76 spitfire was a bit of a dog in stock trim. After a cam, pistons, roller rockers, carb and ignition swap. I'm surprising a few of the newer imports at the auto cross tracks. One of the easiest cars I have ever worked on. You can remove the entire engine and put it back in during the course of an afternoon.