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Spitfire Easier to Work On: TR6 or Spit?

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This is a little risky. I read a post from a local club this morning that is a good example of what Swift6 mentioned above.
Keep in mind that imagination plays a large part in improvisation. This owner found an interesting solution to his problem. "Anyway, my 71 Spitfire carburetor diaphragm had very small cracks all the way around it…so there was insufficient vacuum available to run the engine above 3000 rpm…I covered the diaphragm with a thin coat of the goop and then ordered a new diaphragm. Well the car runs so good with the goop fix, that I still have the new diaphragm in the trunk."
 
Aldwyn --

This just came up on another list... no personal knowledge or financial interest, just thought it *looks* like a pretty decent TR6 for reasonable money.

https://www.us.buysell.com/root/detail/In..._Overdrive.aspx

https://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/mkwikoff/album?.dir=/130cscd&.src=ph&.tok=phk2PYFBMEzeRx31


Shoot, buy this and you'll have enough left over for a Spit too. Seriously, probably a good idea to hold back some dough from your 12K budget for any unexpected expenses after you get the car.
 
Thanks Geo! I saw this today myself.

But if I went with memosa, I'd have to go black interior! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif (really hoping for BRG, or one of the darker blues with black int, but beggers can't be choosers, I suppose) but it does have OD, which I am looking for in whichever car I end up getting.
 
here's the catch,
whatever you do, look for the cleanest, rust free car you can find!!!!!! i can't say this loud enough.
rob
 
The mimosa car looks like it has been repainted once. At least the rear black lines don't look to crisp.I never saw mine with the black so I don't have anything to compare with.
don
 
Actually, I think that's Saffron; hard to tell viewing digital shots on a computer monitor. Anyway...looking through the pictures, it does look mostly pretty good. But there are the little things, like one shot of front suspension where the "nyloc" nut on the tie rod end seems to NOT show any exposed threads, which makes me wonder about quality of parts used and/or quality of assembly work. Maybe it's fine and just doesn't show up well in the photo?
 
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Actually, I think that's Saffron;

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/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/iagree.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/england.gif
 
Aldwyn, I was in a pub years ago and happened upon a retired mechanic who had worked at a British Leyland dealership during their hey day. He stated that the TR6 was the best model that Triumph ever produced. This might get a rise from the 3 and 4 crowd. I'd love to own a 3 but there's no more room in the garage with the 6's and i'm thinking on a spit for my 16 year old to drive. Different models are better for different things but their all sweet.
Phil
 
For $12K you should be able to buy a VERY nice Spitfire. And get change back.

Having both and also being a novice, I'd have to say the Spit is easier to work on.

Find a TR6 to push a bit before you decide, there is much to recommend it. Either way you will have a lot of fun, and as to which is a better car for you the only opinion that really matters is yours.

Use and respect and love this forum - the people are FANTASTIC!
 
Thanks again, guys! Will have to take more drives. I sent out a email to my local group's list a moment ago asking for test drives from the trusting. Hopefully I will get some nice folks with some time to let me drive their cars this upcoming long weekend!

That'll sure make shopping easier if I can just pin down one or the other car. Then I can focus on conditions and colors. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
This is an ad from the Huntsville Times, Huntsville Alabama. I don't know the owner or the history of the car.
"1976 Triumph TR6 Full ground up restoration of exterior & interior. Repainted original red w/ tan interior. Engine rebuilt. Fully documented w/ receipts & pictures of restoration. $10,500 obo. 536-8684"
The area code is 256. If you would like for me to look at the car and give you my impression send me a PM. I'll be glad to do so. BOBH
 
I only have experience working on a '79 Spitfire, but can say it is a pretty easy car to work on. And while I have a decent amount of experience wrenching on cars (and a tool collection to show for it), I would still consider myself a novice wrench. As such, I've done a lot of work to our Spit:
general tune-up
all suspension bushings
rack mounts and tie rods
radiator service
dizzy replacement
rear axle u-joints
engine thrust washers

still to be done:
tranny and differential mounts
exhaust replacement
diagnose and fix clunking in the rear
replace ZS with twin SU's
seat recovering
fix driver's exterior door handle

Fortunately, we started with a clean, rust free car with great paint.

Driving the car is a hoot. Few things are more fun. It makes the '03 MINI Cooper S she has feel like a truck. I do wish it had an overdrive when on the highway, but at the same time, it kinda forces you to take the longer, slower, but more fun roads. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/driving.gif
 
Hi there,

I fix these cars for a living and have for about the past 15 years. I've driven British sports cars from a 289 Cobra and various Loti to 948 Bugeyes and prewar MGs. Out of the dozen or so cars I own I drive my 1976 Spitfire the most. It's lite and nimble compared to a TR6. I enjoy rowing through the gearbox to keep the engine at full boil. I can drive it almost as fast as it will go just about all of the time and not worry about losing my license. It feels faster than a TR6 and if you don't look at the speedometer you won't know that it's not. As far as the ease of repair I agree with the people who point out the ease of access and lightness of components as huge factors favoring the Spitfire. Heck, I once rebuilt the carb on my Spit while I was sitting on the front tire holding my 20 month old daughter with one arm - Try that with a TR6!
 
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...Heck, I once rebuilt the carb on my Spit while I was sitting on the front tire holding my 20 month old daughter with one arm...

[/ QUOTE ]

Where did you set your beer (tell me you didn't have her hold it for you)? Really, that is quite a mental picture.
 
I would accept the challenge but I suspect your daughter is more than an armful now. Maybe Shannon will lend me his youngster?
 
I have a tr6 for sale but I am about 4 hours from you in hampton, va. The car is a local show winner, a great driver, and the clutch is right. Let me know if you are interested.

Adam
 
My most excellent wife had an idea this morning:

"Why don't we just buy one of each and see how it goes?"

I knew there was a reason I married this woman! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

So, now I have a third option.
 
Keep that woman! Everytime I hint and maybe getting another, I get a mild version of the look-of-death. One of each sounds like the perfect solution.
 
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