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Spitfire Spitfire or TR6 for sons first car?

Spitfire or TR6 for a first car?

  • Spitfire

    Votes: 9 25.0%

  • TR6

    Votes: 9 25.0%

  • Other British car

    Votes: 4 11.1%

  • Save the boy, get him a Toyota!

    Votes: 14 38.9%
  • Total voters
    36

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Thanks for all that commented. In the end, he picked a round-tail Spit - and a project at that. Looks like it will be a while before this one is road worthy. 1970 Mk3.

100_2527.jpg
 
Hey Matthew,

The Spit looks darn nice for a project.

Best Wishes to You & Your Son.

Happy, Safe Motoring.

Russ

PS: Invite him to join the BCF & Introduce Himself & His car to the "Triumph Forum". That would probably turn out to be fun & educational all at the same time.
 
Congratulate him for me on his first Triumph! And I agree with Russ, there's too much paint and metal on that car to be a project. :smile:

Scott
 
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+1 on that car being in good condition. Ours came to us with dents and in multiple colors with a partially disassembled engine. I will never buy another non-running car unless it is something REALLY special.

I look forward to seeing your son join the board and post questions here!
 
10 feet does make it look better. Its got swirls and "a" holes all over it. It will definitely go down to the metal. But we picked this one because it HAS metal to go down too! The interior is in boxes (the seats in the picture are sitting on the carpet and weather stipping boxes). It does drive - but you kinda need an air supply. I think the header is toast, it looks like the hole is in the middle of the 4 pipes coming together. But, overall, a lot better than my fist one. I paid 300 bucks for a Mk IV, and I got taken.
 
Been a long, busy winter! Thought I would update everyone on this...he stuck to it. Just got a tag and insurance for it. Here is our car:

https://youtu.be/v79RVGOJZVY

 
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Just saw this thread for the first time and I'm happy he went with the Spitfire! My first car was a 1500 I built from three cars and I loved it. Daily drove it all year for three years with a hardtop. Great little car. It's also really good at instilling the fear of God when driving, which translates into very heads-up driving.
 
Very nice! Great paint scheme, and I love that you went with the houndstooth interior. Great job; I know you're both proud!
 
Impressive and a head turner. You taught him so much in this restoration, wood work (nice), body and paint, plus all the math needed to make the various wood parts. Great work both of you.

Wayne
 
Very nice job. Love the paint and matching steering wheel and shift knob.

Cheers
Tush
 
I put a Spitfire and Wedge in the same category, sorry guys. Do not care for either. I drove a TR3 and TR6 in college. Had a blast with them but I also had an American steel car for back up. While it would cool for him to drive either to school I don't think I would start him out in either. There are too many other crazies out there. Started my daughter out with a older Range Rover, thats what she wanted. It was totaled the first month after she turned 16. It was her fault but she walked away without a scratch so I got her another. By the time she finished college she ended up with a Pathfinder which lasted 8 years and was still going strong when we sold it.
Marv
 
I am extremely impressed! I cannot believe how much work you completed in so short a time. I especially liked the work you did to make the wooden steering wheel. Simply amazing!
 
Wow, thanks for all the great feedback! A great bit of blood, sweat, and tears went into it. Well, mostly sweat. and some blood. The boy now understands why a roll of duct tape in the shop qualifies as a first aid kit. It awesome to get feedback like this, he will be thrilled when he gets home from school. Thanks for the great comments on the wood work - that was one area I was comfortable with. This was my first go at body work and painting. I had an incredible mentor through that process.

Elva - he has been driving around in the Mini (2012) for a bit. But, the first time out in the Spit - he was more aware of everything. Very pronounced change. When we got home he said " I never noticed how many trees where on that road before!"



As for Marvin's comment - I don't know what to do with that information at this point. Car is done, boy is driving it. Thanks anyway. Why the hate for the Spits? Did you even look at mine? Just wondering what in that video made you think it was lacking? Obviously, I am a proud father, and proud of what my boy and I did together. Maybe just a bit over-sensitive, but, please point out the deficiencies that make this a lesser car.
 
Matthew,
The spitfire came out beautiful ! You are obviously a talented woodworker. There will always be slightly difficult to swallow comments and opinions about the choice of car. Even if they don't mean to, some may hurt a little. But no matter what the comments are, you should be proud of what you taught your son during the restoration. The time you spent together is priceless. As long as you and your son like it, that's all that matters. You will always have the memories of doing the Spit with him. And just think of all the $$$ you saved by not farming out all the work you did. What a great father / son experience ! :encouragement:
 
Matthew,
I haven't seen your video. I just jumped in on the title. I'm all for any restoration performed by an individual, especially if its done by our younger folks. I've owned several Spitfires and Wedges. None have given me the pleasure that the TR2 thru TR6's have. Please keep your Son involved with LBCs, it is a lot to think about starting him out with one.

marv
 
Just watched the video, car looks great like the Blue and Silver paint, and the whole car looks really good, I bet it is a toss up as to who is prouder, you or your son. Enjoy!
 
Born_Loser said:
Elva - he has been driving around in the Mini (2012) for a bit. But, the first time out in the Spit - he was more aware of everything. Very pronounced change. When we got home he said " I never noticed how many trees where on that road before!"
Click to expand...

One of my favorite things was driving with the top down at night and looking at the straight line of light across the trees above my head (although that may have been due to Euro-spec headlights, not sure).
 
Marvin Gruber said:
Matthew,
I haven't seen your video. I just jumped in on the title.
marv
Click to expand...

Thanks for clarifying that! Your comments would have fit the original thread - I WAS asking for opinions then. I brought this thread back with an update - the car we chose is finished. Seemed odd to comment that way about our completed project. I understand that some people just don't like the Spit. As a TR3 owner, I happen to LOVE this one.

Glemon, my wife has reminded me, several times, this is HIS car, mine is next to it. It may be wrong, but, I might be hopping for a temporary dip in his grades (so it will be available during the day!).

Elva, he just had that experience tonight. We just go in, he took it to our monthly club meeting.
 
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