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Spitfire Spitfire help
- Thread starter Rut
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Funny thing is: the Spitfire was never meant in any way to compete with the MGB. Apples and oranges...period. Now if you want to talk "Spridgets"...at least that's an apples (Macintosh) v. apples (Granny Smith?) comparison.
Probably the best and most honest advice overall (even tho "Rut" specifically asked about Spitfires) is to try them all.
I've never owned any of the BMC products, but I've driven them...and I liked them all, for different reasons (and those reasons yet different from my preferences for various Triumphs)!
In the spirit of fairness.... /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grouphug.gif
Probably the best and most honest advice overall (even tho "Rut" specifically asked about Spitfires) is to try them all.
I've never owned any of the BMC products, but I've driven them...and I liked them all, for different reasons (and those reasons yet different from my preferences for various Triumphs)!
In the spirit of fairness.... /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grouphug.gif
TR4nut
Yoda
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Welcome to the forum Rut-
As you are a former TR3-4-6 owner, the one thing I'd add for you is to try and drive around in a Spit first before you get serious. I started with Spits (74/78) and loved them - still love the styling. But when I bought a TR6 after my Spitfires I realized the driving style is a lot different. In the Spit, you are low to the ground and you feel low. Fine for a lot of people, and maybe you too but don't be surprised in the difference.
Randy
As you are a former TR3-4-6 owner, the one thing I'd add for you is to try and drive around in a Spit first before you get serious. I started with Spits (74/78) and loved them - still love the styling. But when I bought a TR6 after my Spitfires I realized the driving style is a lot different. In the Spit, you are low to the ground and you feel low. Fine for a lot of people, and maybe you too but don't be surprised in the difference.
Randy
myspitfire
Jedi Warrior
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Now!Now!MG's are(not)withstanding fun to,after all they are a British car.BUT to get right to your question,get a Spitfire.Spitfires are splended start.First they are very easy to work on,& get parts for;Second make sure you TAKE YOUR TIME & make an EDUCATED choice.In my opinion the 1200cc engine is the most reliable & trustworty & will torque&rev all day with satisfaction.The 1500(74 on)are the high end engine but are not as strong.Understand tho that either one is a good choice if maintained properly.If you choose a Spitfire thats lived its life in the south west or Calif,you'll most likely see one with very minimal rust.Once you have chosen one its best to examine it IN PERSON & talk to the seller.Once you buy it your self confidence with your choice will carry you along.From then on its a MONEY PIT,so be very careful with buying stuff,only buy NOS(NewOldStock)parts or OEM(OriginalEquiptmentManufactired)parts to be absolutly safe.
You won't regret your buying a Spitfire for your hobby,their is no other sportscar that offers more driving enjoyment than a Triumph(Spitfire)Not even those high end ones(Miata,etc etc)The character of the car will grab your imagination,And be tantamount to getting remarried.
GOOD LUCK & make sure you tell us about your progress.
Ken(1500 Spit)
You won't regret your buying a Spitfire for your hobby,their is no other sportscar that offers more driving enjoyment than a Triumph(Spitfire)Not even those high end ones(Miata,etc etc)The character of the car will grab your imagination,And be tantamount to getting remarried.
GOOD LUCK & make sure you tell us about your progress.
Ken(1500 Spit)
Bob Claffie
Jedi Knight
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Over the years I have raced two and had one street Spitfire. Really great to work on. Simple and relatively inexpensive. My personal preference is the '72, it has the late model syling with the terrific 1300 engine. Only thing, I would look for a car without the Stromerg carbs, but that is between them and me. Best of luck,Bob
Rut, I've owned both a Midget and two Spitfires. If you're out for a good sports car that is particularly British, just about any MG or Triumph will do. My best advice is to test drive them, and see how they fit.
The Spridget cockpit is snug, but if you're average height or smaller you'll fit fine. Some folks don't like the steering wheel quite as close to their chests as MG's have it, but I found the Midget's ergonomics very comfy. I'm 5' 7" and with the seat all the way back I fit perfectly. The short doors make for some real leg folding to get in or out, so be sure to try the car on with the top up to be sure you can fit in and out.
The Spitfire cockpit has narrow seats, but more knee room. The steering wheel is further from the driver because it was designed by an Italian. Since you won't be racing, the best car is probably a 1500, which has more torque and more power. Get an overdrive if you can find one. I liked the overdrive so much that I put one in my Midget 1500 (and it wasn't easy, but it was sure worth it). My first Spitfire was a Mk. 1, which was a delightful car to drive. It would occasionally snap into oversteer in tight bends, and my Spitfire 1500's "swing spring" rear suspension totally solves that problem.
Here's were I should brace for flames: if you're looking for a fun and cheerful sports car and don't care if it is British, get a used Miata or MR2. Both are very reliable and very fun to drive. First gen Miatas and first gen MR2's both handle "British"... the Miata because the Mazda engineers really wanted the holistic British sports car experience, and the MR2 because it was designed by Lotus to be an entry-level Lotus with Toyota mechanicals, but in the end they decided they couldn't handle that sort of volume so Toyota took over the project and sold it as a Toyota. If you've got more money to spend on your sports car fun, look into the BMW Z3. I drove one for a day a few years back, and it was everything a big Healey is plus reliability and all the modern comforts.
I'll also go out on a limb and recommend the TR7, at least after you replace the suspension bushings with new ones. Also, if you want cheap American parts available in any auto parts store from sea to shining sea, look into the Pontiac Fiero. The later ones handle very well indeed. Of course, it's harder to get the wind in your hair with these two cars.
Myself, when I went to look for a thrifty, fun commuter to prepare for this summer's coming $4/gal. gas prices, I looked for a Spitfire 1500. I've been driving it 60 miles round trip every day for two months very reliably. It's been very reliable despite sitting under a pile of pine needles for five years before I bought it.
Scott
The Spridget cockpit is snug, but if you're average height or smaller you'll fit fine. Some folks don't like the steering wheel quite as close to their chests as MG's have it, but I found the Midget's ergonomics very comfy. I'm 5' 7" and with the seat all the way back I fit perfectly. The short doors make for some real leg folding to get in or out, so be sure to try the car on with the top up to be sure you can fit in and out.
The Spitfire cockpit has narrow seats, but more knee room. The steering wheel is further from the driver because it was designed by an Italian. Since you won't be racing, the best car is probably a 1500, which has more torque and more power. Get an overdrive if you can find one. I liked the overdrive so much that I put one in my Midget 1500 (and it wasn't easy, but it was sure worth it). My first Spitfire was a Mk. 1, which was a delightful car to drive. It would occasionally snap into oversteer in tight bends, and my Spitfire 1500's "swing spring" rear suspension totally solves that problem.
Here's were I should brace for flames: if you're looking for a fun and cheerful sports car and don't care if it is British, get a used Miata or MR2. Both are very reliable and very fun to drive. First gen Miatas and first gen MR2's both handle "British"... the Miata because the Mazda engineers really wanted the holistic British sports car experience, and the MR2 because it was designed by Lotus to be an entry-level Lotus with Toyota mechanicals, but in the end they decided they couldn't handle that sort of volume so Toyota took over the project and sold it as a Toyota. If you've got more money to spend on your sports car fun, look into the BMW Z3. I drove one for a day a few years back, and it was everything a big Healey is plus reliability and all the modern comforts.
I'll also go out on a limb and recommend the TR7, at least after you replace the suspension bushings with new ones. Also, if you want cheap American parts available in any auto parts store from sea to shining sea, look into the Pontiac Fiero. The later ones handle very well indeed. Of course, it's harder to get the wind in your hair with these two cars.
Myself, when I went to look for a thrifty, fun commuter to prepare for this summer's coming $4/gal. gas prices, I looked for a Spitfire 1500. I've been driving it 60 miles round trip every day for two months very reliably. It's been very reliable despite sitting under a pile of pine needles for five years before I bought it.
Scott
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Ian said:
ABSOLUTELY!
...as for th' Splutfire... OkayOKAY! They're FUN. Great to toss around and easy to fix. Styling is good, compared to the more "stodgy" MG shape. But they're frail in comparison to BMC's offerings, IMO.
I like the accessability of the driveline components, the ability to change a clutch without pulling the engine, etc.
They're just "tinny" to me. I'd be a 'rumphie if I'd not "grown up" in BMC cars or never been exposed to Lotus' offerings. The Elans use many, MANY of the Triumph pieces an' bits, so I guess I may actually HAVE one foot onna boat, one onna dock... /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/devilgrin.gif
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DrEntropy said:
Softy! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/jester.gif
IanF
Jedi Trainee
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I still think the MGB is a better car... Mainly because I like driving our Volvos much more than the Spitfire and the MGB feels a lot more like the Volvo.
And how they were positioned when new doesn't really apply now. Midget, Spitfire, MGB... all are about the same price-wise now.... with maybe the B being a bit more expensive for a nice one...
I suppose my issue with Baldrick right now is despite the amount of time and money we've put into the car, I still don't trust it not to explode 100 feet after leaving the driveway. And until we can afford to get the engine rebuilt and send the tranny and rear to QM, I doubt that feeling will change.
I suppose my advice to the OP is don't even THINK about buying the first car you look at. And even if you do want that particular car, don't plop down the cash until you go drive at least a 1/2 dozen other cars. That was our mistake with Baldrick. And to this day - over 2 years later - I still don't know what a "good" Spitfire is supposed to feel like so I have no idea if I'm making Baldrick better or worse. The last time I drove the car in December it felt worse than ever.
And don't replace the wiring harness just because it sounds like a good idea...
And how they were positioned when new doesn't really apply now. Midget, Spitfire, MGB... all are about the same price-wise now.... with maybe the B being a bit more expensive for a nice one...
I suppose my issue with Baldrick right now is despite the amount of time and money we've put into the car, I still don't trust it not to explode 100 feet after leaving the driveway. And until we can afford to get the engine rebuilt and send the tranny and rear to QM, I doubt that feeling will change.
I suppose my advice to the OP is don't even THINK about buying the first car you look at. And even if you do want that particular car, don't plop down the cash until you go drive at least a 1/2 dozen other cars. That was our mistake with Baldrick. And to this day - over 2 years later - I still don't know what a "good" Spitfire is supposed to feel like so I have no idea if I'm making Baldrick better or worse. The last time I drove the car in December it felt worse than ever.
And don't replace the wiring harness just because it sounds like a good idea...
OP
Rut
Obi Wan
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Thanks to all...I guess availability might be the deciding factor along with 'fit'. I'm 6'01" and 200+, 58 with most muscles, bones, and ligaments screaming at me in the morning. 2 Motrin and I can put up with most anything! I want something that I can fix and work on, no computer to deal with, good enough for a 41/2 hr trip to the beach as well as FUN. My old TRs were FUN, but I didn't weigh but 125 back then at the same height! I guess the top 3 in no particular order are MGB, Spridget, Spitfire...cheap to buy is another consideration. I've got lots of time to look and research, hopefully find one with little rust, maybe run across a TR 3 or 4 which were my favorites, a Bugeye because I've never had one...I'm sure everyone has gone down this path. Thanks again, Rut
myspitfire
Jedi Warrior
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Basil said go to your room!..I agree totally,having driven alot of MG's & big T's..thos are all in the same group and your right stoggy is the word.I even owned Sunbeam Tigers,and found over time the sturdy Spitfire is my choice.It even came from the factory race prepped,take the front suspension geometry & road hugging rear swing axel+ the late models(like mine)with alot of safty protection;side door impact inserts,collapsable steering,breakaway mirrors & crumple zones.But because its a small car & seat of the pants driver the real safety device is the driver.,which with the right brain is a comfortable car to drive.Oh!i forgot to mention the way the bonnet hooks up when latched on the hooks at the firewall was designed to stop intrusion into the cockpit.,that was a good safety feature too.
Ken
Ken
myspitfire
Jedi Warrior
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I'm jealous of your Lotus's,what shape are they in?Drivers,racers.I remember my Tiger had trouble with breakaway,it was a handful.,the Panardrod,Salisbury,& traction masters,Pirelli's really had trouble taming the beast.
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Both down now. Frame damage on 'em. S3 has a transverse crack at the diffy control rods, +2 a right front pillar needs repairing. Currently crawling out from under some unforseen medical (eye issues) expenses, so money for a Spyder "space frame" is a bit out-of-the question.
~I~ don't have a problem with accruing a bit more debt (it'd be about the same as *one* IOL surgery) but my "book-keeper" has put her foot down... next time she does that it could come down on some part of my anatomy I don't want to have surgery on...
I can wait.
~I~ don't have a problem with accruing a bit more debt (it'd be about the same as *one* IOL surgery) but my "book-keeper" has put her foot down... next time she does that it could come down on some part of my anatomy I don't want to have surgery on...
I can wait.
V
vagt6
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Hope your eyes recover well, Doc.
I'm in a similar situation with an LBC (lack thereof!). We're preparing to build a major addition to our house, which happily includes a 3 car garage!!!
I'm going to purchase another LBC as soon as the contractors leave the yard! That will be about 6 months from now. I've already put out feelers for another car.
I'm about to bust to get another one, it's been too long.
But, I, too, can wait (I hope). /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wall.gif
I'm in a similar situation with an LBC (lack thereof!). We're preparing to build a major addition to our house, which happily includes a 3 car garage!!!
I'm going to purchase another LBC as soon as the contractors leave the yard! That will be about 6 months from now. I've already put out feelers for another car.
I'm about to bust to get another one, it's been too long.
But, I, too, can wait (I hope). /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wall.gif
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They're back to useful again. June '05 was cataract surgery, IOL's a month apart, all out of pocket. a year later (nearly to the DAY) I suffered a retinal detachment in the left orb. Laser welding didn't work, so ocular surgery was necessary... again, out of pocket. With eight weeks of nose-down attitude constantly. A propane bubble in the thing, all debilitating... Just happy I can SEE again. The money will be "replaced", it's just gonna take some time.
feh.
We were also in the middle of a major house renovation at the time. "Life is what happens while you're busy planning for something else." --Carlin, IIRC.
feh.
We were also in the middle of a major house renovation at the time. "Life is what happens while you're busy planning for something else." --Carlin, IIRC.
myspitfire
Jedi Warrior
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Geez!Doc join the catarac club Feb 23 i had cat surgery on the left eye,on the 21st i had trigger finger surgery(bad double action right thumb/index finger)Alls ok now.I went out in garage & checked out my shifter hand,started Whitelightning went up & down the street.Everythings ok.Very sad about the Lotus's,2 years ago it was the right eye,in that i had two eye doctors one on each side fixing a retinal tear,on the other side one replacing the lens,laying flat on your back for 2 hours ain't fun.
I should be rearin to go this spring.
I should be rearin to go this spring.