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Spitfire Spitfire guys, what is wrong with this picture?

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frankenstang57

frankenstang57

Jedi Warrior
Offline
You guys wanted a few more pictures of the $202.50 ebay Spitfire, well here are a few!

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Now tell me what's wrong with the pictures! What parts are correct or not! The seller didn't have any pictures of the rear of the car in the auction, wonder why? Either way, the car was cheap and is a good candidate for restoration. I think it's a far cry better than what I started with for the JPS build.
 
It seems to be missing an engine :jester:

Seriously, it seems to be in fairly good condition. That seat with a headrest clearly isn't correct but for the most part it looks like the problem here is more missing bits than "wrong" bits.
 
The steering wheel seems wonky to me. I thought they didn't go with the chrome three spoke till late in the mkiv series, right before they went with the 1500 horn on the turn signal stalk thing.
 
Re: Spitfire guys, what is wrong with this picture

70herald said:
That seat with a headrest clearly isn't correct...
Click to expand...
I think the steering wheel isn't either. Later model interior swap?

Certainly looks like a challenge. Is it worth it?
 
Re: Spitfire guys, what is wrong with this picture

That's one of the things, It had a hodgepodge interior of MKI and MKIV parts and lovely do-it yourself grey carpet. The motor isn't and issue, I'm reassembling the head as we speak! There's more...
 
Re: Spitfire guys, what is wrong with this picture

If we restored this kind of car because it was "worth it", they would all end up at the crusher. We do it because we love these beautiful machines (and probably we are all just a little bent)
I visited this car in person, and it will make a good restoration project. How about those big white lights in the back? I don't remember anything quite that large on the back of my MKl.
Bruce
 
Re: Spitfire guys, what is wrong with this picture

bcliff said:
If we restored this kind of car because it was "worth it", they would all end up at the crusher. We do it because we love these beautiful machines (and probably we are all just a little bent)
Click to expand...
Yes, I know that (trust me I know that...).
 
Re: Spitfire guys, what is wrong with this picture

guzzul said:
bcliff said:
If we restored this kind of car because it was "worth it", they would all end up at the crusher. We do it because we love these beautiful machines (and probably we are all just a little bent)
Click to expand...
Yes, I know that (trust me I know that...).
Click to expand...
:iagree:

The car I see in the pictures is a survivor, and it deserves yet one more chance! Other than what's been mentioned, I see likely a Mk2 bonnet and windscreen surround. The grille is definitely Mk2, and both bonnet and windscreen surround appear to have been Royal Blue originally; that color wasn't used on the Spitfire 4. I'm guessing the front lamps from the original car were reused, since Mk2's in the US had larger plastic-lens flasher lamps on the front outboard position (as did late Spitfire 4 models).

In back, well, you're on your own there, pretty much free to do whatever you want and need. Those white lamps are nothing Triumph and probably nothing Lucas. Although it really doesn't matter, the license plate lamp is correct, but it should be on a body-color plinth. This one appears to mount directly to the valence, as was the case on later Mk3 models. Those plinths were rather fragile, so I'm not surprised it didn't survive whatever caused all the other, uh, rearrangement on that valence.
 
Re: Spitfire guys, what is wrong with this picture

First thing i'd to is spend some quality time with your baby &
disconnect or remove all items (that can be removed)& strip it to the absolute shell.Send it to a company experienced in chemically dipping body shells.,Look at it carefully to see how much effort it will take to bring the body BACK TO LIFE.Then spray the ENTIRE SHELL with Rust-o-leum PRIMER.That will give you a base line to start dreaming.Anything short of that will be nothing but procrastination.Its the same process that you see professionals do on "OVERHAULIN"..ON TV...
Ken&Whitelightning
 
Re: Spitfire guys, what is wrong with this picture

Nah, I'm planning on glassing the holes in the floor and a bit of POR15 to the floors. Slamming the 1500 in it and drivin' for the season. Nobody mentioned the mirror! MKIV big time!?!? Andy, the "royal blue" looks straight up black. I can find it on the frame, bonnet, doors, and boot. But there is still white paint here and there, sorta over under. The car is obviously an abortion, but I like it! It deserves the 1500! :jester: I pretty much have the motor done as of today. I did discovered I don't have a water pump housing or pump. I do have 7 carbs, 3 distributors, 2 fuel pumps, 3 speedos and a truckload of misc crap... Anyone have a water pump plus housing? I have trades!
 
Re: Spitfire guys, what is wrong with this picture

Uh, lemme check, I might. Ok to check back tomorrow? All my stuff is home in the attic.
 
Re: Spitfire guys, what is wrong with this picture

frankenstang57 said:
Nobody mentioned the mirror! MKIV big time!?!?
Click to expand...
Well, they were using bullet mirrors as early as 1969 if not before, so they don't bother me. Actually, door mirrors probably were not required in most states when this car was built!
frankenstang57 said:
Andy, the "royal blue" looks straight up black. I can find it on the frame, bonnet, doors, and boot. But there is still white paint here and there, sorta over under.
Click to expand...
Oh, well, always hard to judge via pictures over the Internet. Sure looked blue to me. :wink: Anyway, it's still at least a Mk2 grille!
frankenstang57 said:
The car is obviously an abortion, but I like it! It deserves the 1500!
Click to expand...
Well, if that's what ya got, by all means! I've always rather liked the 1147s, but then that's what I grew up with.
grin.gif

frankenstang57 said:
Anyone have a water pump plus housing? I have trades!
Click to expand...
Sure, I've got that; wanna trade for the Herald? :devilgrin:
 
Re: Spitfire guys, what is wrong with this picture

Which one? :banana:
 
Re: Spitfire guys, what is wrong with this picture

Another smart alek comment and the Herald get's it! :jester:

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Just kidding, kinda! Look at all of the rust free metal Andy! This car is cleaner than the PE one! It's gonna be even more bitchin' after I tub it and street rod it. I know it's a long drive and all, but you need to rescue it! :devilgrin:

I found out today that single rail transmissions uses a different spline than 3 rail. 20 vs. 10. I need a clutch(disk) and have little cash in the budget for one at this time. Then it hit me, I know where I can get one. Yes, I believe that's an 1147 and it turns over. I even have a dual carb set up for it. Too bad I already spent $$$ on the 1500. I was just so stoked to get it off the floor and out of the way. Guess what, the 1147 is going to live there for now. I can't seem to win.
 
Re: Spitfire guys, what is wrong with this picture

That I know I have, everything, flywheel, clutch and disc. The throwout bearing is iffy, though.
Both clutch pieces are Borg and Beck. under 2500 miles on them.

I just went the other direction.

PM me if you're interested.
 
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