• The Roadster Factory Recovery Fund - Friends, as you may have heard, The Roadster Factory, a respected British Car Parts business in PA, suffered a total loss in a fire on Christmas Day. Read about it, discuss or ask questions >> HERE. The Triumph Register of America is sponsoring a fund raiser to help TRF get back on their feet. If you can help, vist >> their GoFundMe page.
  • Hey there Guest!
    If you enjoy BCF and find our forum a useful resource, if you appreciate not having ads pop up all over the place and you want to ensure we can stay online - Please consider supporting with an "optional" low-cost annual subscription.
    **Upgrade Now**
    (PS: Subscribers don't see this UGLY banner)
Tips
Tips

Spitfire Spitfire Questions

glemon

Yoda
Country flag
Offline
I have owned many British sports cars, but never a Spitfire, I know a little, but my knowledge is limited. I am looking at a 69 Mark III, body and bumpers look right, but the dash has the instruments over the steering wheel, not in the middle. What documentation I can find shows the Mark III still had the gauges in the middle. Is this a later dash? How is parts availability, good as the big TRs?
 
OP
glemon

glemon

Yoda
Country flag
Offline
Does engine bay look correct and original (if also very grungy)? IMG_20201107_071102556.jpgIMG_20201107_071127461.jpgIMG_20201107_071313351.jpg
 

Mickey Richaud

Moderator
Staff member
Gold
Country flag
Online
From what I can tell, engine bay looks correct. And the gauges are where they belong. A friend of mine bought a '69 when he returned from Viet Nam. Dash layout was like that; '69 was the first year for them to be moved from the center. I think the seats were also new, with integrated headrests.

Great cars!
 
OP
glemon

glemon

Yoda
Country flag
Offline
Thanks Mickey, that is good to know, I got a Triumph Spitfire Restoration guide already, but it is not as detailed as the complete original big TR and Healey guides I have.

The Mark III is a really nice package in looks and specifications.
 

Mickey Richaud

Moderator
Staff member
Gold
Country flag
Online
Yeah, lots of folks prefer the earlier model with the lower front bumper. I think the higher bumper looks better and well integrated into the overall lines of the car.
 

Andrew Mace

Moderator
Staff member
Country flag
Offline
Does engine bay look correct and original (if also very grungy)?View attachment 66190View attachment 66191View attachment 66192


It all looks almost painfully correct for a "Federal" specification 1969 Mk3, even the mounting of the fuel filter. Overall, it appears to be a very original car, with the correct 1969-only wheel covers!

Parts support is somewhere between very good and outstanding for these, and from all the "usual suspects" (TRF, Spitbits, etc., etc.)!
 
OP
glemon

glemon

Yoda
Country flag
Offline
Thanks Andrew, the chrome trim is all there and in very good shape, all four hubcaps, nice bumpers, the body has considerable rust, but my TR250 was worse when I started. Mechanicals unknown, I am tempted, a little more of a project than what I want, but I am already starting the restoration in my head...

I confirmed what Mickey said, the dash is correct for the car, so it looks like it is complete and unmolested.
 

Darwin

Jedi Knight
Bronze
Country flag
Offline
Federal mandate (US) required that the instruments be moved in line with the steering wheel in 1969. I much prefer the dash as it is in the earlier spit. I can tell you the spitfire is a fun care to drive. Just watch the tuck under of the rear wheels when driving the twisties.
Nigel at Spitbits.com offers almost any part for any spitfire. A little pricey but good quality and good service. Also willing to offer advice.
BPNW is also a good place for some parts.
 
Last edited:
Similar threads
Thread starter Title Forum Replies Date
simpzimmer Spitfire Two Spitfire questions Triumph 6
6 Spitfire First time spitfire owner questions Triumph 10
T Spitfire Spitfire/Midget transmission questions Triumph 0
Basil Spitfire Back to the Spitfire - Questions Triumph 16
F Spitfire 77 Spitfire 1500 Questions Triumph 3
UmmYeahOk Spitfire Misc GT6/Spitfire Questions Triumph 9
Gafirema Spitfire Some Spitfire Questions. Triumph 17
R Spitfire GT6/Spitfire Lighting Questions Triumph 10
pjsmetana Spitfire Rear Diff, Spitfire Questions Triumph 16
dklawson Spitfire Spitfire MkIV - Rear Hub Questions Triumph 4
dklawson Spitfire Spitfire Hardtop Questions - Colors & Suppliers Triumph 7
RickAnderson Spitfire Looking at a 1980 Spitfire 1500 - Questions Triumph 8
IanF Spitfire Spitfire distributor questions Triumph 5
IanF Spitfire Spitfire front spring questions... Triumph 13
IanF Spitfire Spitfire gas tank questions Triumph 3
CraigFL Spitfire E-Bay '70 Spitfire-- Questions??? Triumph 4
J Spitfire Spitfire questions Triumph 6
Simon TR4a Spitfire Spitfire questions! Triumph 3
motzart007 Wanted In search of used seats for 1969 Triumph Spitfire MKIII Triumph Classifieds 0
B For Sale GT6/Spitfire License Plate Light Assembly Triumph Classifieds 0
S Spitfire Triumph Spitfire 1300 engine SU carb problem Triumph 10
A Spitfire Spitfire Diff Pinion Seal? Triumph 2
3798j General TR Spitfire up in the Tree Triumph 2
tr6nitjulius General TR 6/24/23 TRIUMPH TR6 (5) TR8 (2) Spitfire (1 RHD of 2) TR3A (1) Triumph 0
E Spitfire '69 Spitfire hard top Triumph 2
D For Sale 1966 Spitfire 4 MK 2 for sale, Triumph Classifieds 1
R For Sale Spitfire MKIII projects Triumph Classifieds 0
Darwin Wanted Spitfire engine needed Triumph Classifieds 0
G Spitfire Spitfire 1500 differential whining Triumph 6
T Spitfire Spitfire MK2 Clutch Hydraulics Triumph 2
A Spitfire Spitfire Fuel pump issues Triumph 5
P Spitfire 1979 Triumph Spitfire starts then runs rough Triumph 2
Lairhead52 Wanted 78 Spitfire instrument panel lights / lenses Triumph Classifieds 3
D Spitfire 1980 California Spitfire, Help Figuring What To Do With It? Triumph 15
W Spitfire 1975 Spitfire 1500 shifting problems when hot Triumph 8
K TR2/3/3A Mystery Clutch MC? Spitfire....TR4....69-70 TR6??? Triumph 2
K Spitfire 1978 Spitfire possible Vapor Lock? Triumph 16
R Spitfire Turn signal wiring Spitfire Triumph 5
S Spitfire Spitfire 1296 engines Triumph 1
D Wanted WTB: Late Triumph Spitfire Top Frame Triumph Classifieds 8
C Spitfire 1967 Triumph Spitfire Triumph 2
Dnickels Spitfire Spitfire mk2 front suspension too soft Triumph 2
T For Sale One Owner 1969 Spitfire for sale Triumph Classifieds 0
Dnickels Spitfire Spitfire lighting issues Triumph 4
SteveTheBrewer Spitfire Spitfire Rebuild Update Triumph 5
Basil Spitfire 74 Spitfire Barn Find Triumph 1
I Spitfire Triumph Spitfire 1500 refuses to awake after 10 year hibernation Triumph 6
I Spitfire spitfire 1500 refuses to awake after 10 years Triumph 2
B Spitfire Mk3 seat rails Triumph Classifieds 0
M Spitfire 1500 LH Door Triumph Classifieds 0

Similar threads

Top