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Spitfire 1965 Spitfire Mk2 - Colorado

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JRC

JRC

Senior Member
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I haven't had much time on the forum yet, but I don't see too much old Spit action.

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I bought mine 1 1/2 years ago , and did a bit of work on the fuel system last summer: refurbished tank, replaced fuel float, replaced lines/hoses, new fuel pump/filter, carbs cleaned/replaced with used set, new linkage. The entire system was gunked up with old gas.
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There was a little less than 3 gallons of gas in the tank. As near as I could tell, the car had been sitting for 3+ years prior to me getting it. I did manage to start the car this Spring for the first time! A couple of hours later, she was on the road!

Since then, I have replaced/or repaired several other bits. I had to repair the parking brake cable, glove box rails (new trays), engine bay splash guards, rocker arm cover (stripped and repainted), lots of suspension pieces, adjustable Spax shocks all around, and boot panels (had to remove a lot of old paint and rust first [shock!]). The braking system has a new slave cylinder, rotors, pads, shoes, parking brake cables... Bled that and adjusted the rear shoes.

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The entire street is excited about the project. The car also came with a new soft top, and the hard top and a rollbar (in the wrapper - which I won't be using).
 
I love early Spitfires! Nice find. Did I hear a "crunch" into non-synchro first gear when you were pulling into driveway?(BTDT,my first LBC was a '69 Spit)
I cracked up when she said,"all 3 kids"
Thanks for sharing, good pix and good project.
 
You may have heard it. :wink: I need to get the accelerator linkage and carbs adjusted.

This was an accidental find. After getting my father-in-law's TR3 going, I started taking the kids out on drives to look at more "old" cars. A guy in Boulder had this sitting in his yard. I just felt a need to rescue it.
 
booley said:
I love early Spitfires!
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I agree and it appears your "#1 passenger" also agrees. Don't know why, but always liked the center dash layout too.
 
Looks great! when you get it done..........anyway enjoy the car. My GT6 came from Colorado back in 1977, little or no salt damage. Nice cars to start with.
 
There are guys around who have spitfires, GT6s and Heralds but they just don't seem to need the forum as often as the TR guys. I think it is because the TRs break down more often and then need to talk to other TR owners who are spending their life in the garage fixing a car they wish they could drive. :smile: :lol:

It seems like the tractor engine in our old cars just keeps ticking. I like your Spitfire. It looks like a very nice car. I too have a Mk1 spitfire that is a bit of a mix and match. It came with a mk1 front end and engine, mk2 tube and now has a mk3 engine.

OK let the TR flames begin.
 
tomgt6 said:
There are guys around who have spitfires, GT6s and Heralds but they just don't seem to need the forum as often as the TR guys. I think it is because the TRs break down more often and then need to talk to other TR owners who are spending their life in the garage fixing a car they wish they could drive. :smile: :lol:


OK let the TR flames begin.
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troublemaker
 
Having already completed my TR3 stint... :crazy: Anything is better than working on a Saab. :cry: I actually have an engine hoist from those days.

I did get this car, so that I could spend time on it in the garage as well as on the road. :driving: I do realize, it will be a constant labor of love. :blush:

I am happy to have the Spitfire. Before I bought this car, I called the people that had owned it before the guy I got it from, to make sure it had been running. This car had been sitting for what appeared to be many years judging by the gas color and sediment.
 
Good to see another Spit! That is true not much Early Spit action. Maybe we can wage a revolt and take over. Lots of good info here and quick, very quick replies when you have questions.
I had a 67 that I stripped, let me know if you need anything.
 
Thanks KSIS. I need the grab handle for the dash if anyone knows a source other than eBay. LOL

I'm also currently looking for a front bumper. I may have found one. If not, I do have other options.

The hood/bonnet seems to be a rare piece. Would like a straight one of those.
 
Looks great! I've come to love the looks of the round tails. That could partly be due to the fact that I was recently given a 70 by my neighbour.
 
So... is that where Tree Top Apple Juice comes from?
What do you do with the old gas?

- Doug
 
tomgt6 said:
There are guys around who have spitfires, GT6s and Heralds but they just don't seem to need the forum as often as the TR guys. I think it is because the TRs break down more often and then need to talk to other TR owners who are spending their life in the garage fixing a car they wish they could drive. :smile: :lol:


OK let the TR flames begin.
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The fact of the matter is that <span style="font-weight: bold">many more TRs</span> have survived then Spits... :jester:
 
This doesn't seem to be as fun as I hoped. It is hard to rattle the TR guys.
 
Kind of why I got one.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]

The fact of the matter is that <span style="font-weight: bold">many more TRs</span> have survived then Spits... :jester: [/QUOTE]
 
JRC said:
I haven't had much time on the forum yet, but I don't see too much old Spit action.
Click to expand...

Welcome to the forum! I'm one of the old Spitfire guys on this board, but I don't know much about them... Since you're local, I have some magic beans I'll trade you for that front bumper. :jester: Here's an old link to my MKI that I purchased last year from a guy in Wyoming:

https://www.britishcarforum.com/bcforum/u...g_wi#Post553116

Mostly a complete car but heavily bastardized. Ebay auction did not include a motor or top, but heck, it was $200. I would've had it on the road by now but the first motor I installed in it was bad.

https://www.britishcarforum.com/bcforum/u..._day#Post590750

Since then, it's nearly ready to go again as soon as I rebuild the carbs I got from KSIS. This poor little Herald had to die for the cause. (actually it was rescued by bcliff, a MG corrupter who lives near me)

https://www.britishcarforum.com/bcforum/ubbthreads.php/topics/594923/Craigslist_Herald#Post594923

I just bought a set of jets from Spitbits I also picked up a new rear main for my Herald. The Spit is on hold until I get that replaced. ^&*((*& pulling the motor for a $4.70 part... It is a pretty nice Herald though.

Nice Spitfire, BTW.
 
booley said:
tomgt6 said:
There are guys around who have spitfires, GT6s and Heralds but they just don't seem to need the forum as often as the TR guys. I think it is because the TRs break down more often and then need to talk to other TR owners who are spending their life in the garage fixing a car they wish they could drive. :smile: :lol:


OK let the TR flames begin.
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troublemaker
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You mis-spelled that.
It's TRoublemaker.
 
JRC said:
Kind of why I got one.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]

The fact of the matter is that <span style="font-weight: bold">many more TRs</span> have survived then Spits... :jester:
Click to expand...
[/QUOTE]

Tis why I love mine as well.

And lemme tell all you TR folks... parts fall off our Spitfires just as much as your cars do! So there! Mine can make it a whole 40 reliable miles before needing something replaced or repaired... and I only have 22,000 miles on mine!
 
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