Spitfire Spitfire front clip on a TR4

[99NCXJ]

hello all. new member here. I'm looking at purchasing a TR4 project car from a friend of mine and was wondering if any of you guys have tried this. how possible is grafting a spitfire front clip onto a TR4? Are the body sizes/lines even close?

 

[DNK]

Welcome my Tar Heel State friend,don't think they are close to the same size.
But I got nither,so...

 

[TR4nut]

Nope, but Standard Triumph tried something like that back in 1962:

Yeah, I know, not a Spitfire front but this Triumph Zest Prototype does has a more streamlined front.

 

[Rhodyspit75]

I've had both and my first thought is Yuck. Two totaly different body styles that wouldn't go well together.

 

[DNK]

looks Pinnin

 

[CinneaghTR]

Michelotti!!! Bravissimo!!! (not the idea of ruining two cars, but the Zest prototype!!)

 

[DNK]

Michelotti!!! Bravissimo!!! (not the idea of ruining two cars, but the Zest prototype!!)

I say Pininfarina

 

[CinneaghTR]

Michelotti!!! Bravissimo!!! (not the idea of ruining two cars, but the Zest prototype!!)

I say Pininfarina

Do tell?

 

[Andrew Mace]

I say "Vignale"!

 

[DNK]

Definition, please?

 

[Andrew Mace]

Vignale was the Italian body builder/studio for whom Michelotti worked (and who provided some of his prototype bodies) before he (Michelotti) set out on his own.

 

[CinneaghTR]

Eccellente!! This brings up an interesting nuance. Giovanni Michelotti designed the '62 Zest under retainer to Standard-Triumph while working for Vignale with the latter company constructing the car, correct? The Vignale connection is important and not very clear in many discussions of Michelotti's relationship with Triumph, but I have to keep reminding myself of the Italia.

Cool stuff (I still do not favor grafting a Spitfire and a TR4 together...).

 

[Andrew Mace]

The "crossed flag" badges on some Heralds and (most) Italias are nautical flag representations of the letters "S" (for Standard - the blue square) and "V" (for Vignale -- the red X).

 

[CinneaghTR]

I've always liked that badge.

 

[99NCXJ]

Thanks for the replies. I didn't realize this would be a touchy subject :laugh:

The only reason I thought of this was I really like the rear end look of the TR4 but the front clip of the spitfire is just sweet.

If I end up getting this TR4, My plans would be (I know i'm probably going to get flamed for this) is to swap out the engine/tranny with a modern fuel injected 4cyl and retrofit ac/heat and all the creature comforts of the newer cars but keep the look of the old triumph.

 

[rustbucket]

Check out britishv8.com for ideas on engine swaps. The purists here will tell you that TR4's are becoming more rare, and are becoming more collectible each year, so it should not be hot rodded. There is some validity to this argument. Once you cut one up, it is hard to get its value back.

On the other hand, it's your car. Put your flame suit on and do whatever makes you happy. But you might try photoshop before you start hacking on an otherwise salvageable TR!

The TR4 and Spit do share a windshield frame, but that's about it.

Good luck!

 

[glemon]

The width of the two cars is not much different, the TR4 is less than a inch wider than the Spitfire in track and overall width, but I think the Spitfire may be a little lower with than the long stroke four under the big TRs hood, I agree with the photoshop idea, and lots of measuring etc. before cutting and welding if you decide to go forward with it.

 

[TRMark]

About the modern 4cyl engine swap. There were a few articles in Rod & Custom about using these in small hotrods. Check here and here .