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Bargain Brit Project: 1965 Triumph Spitfire

1965 Triumph Spitfire

It’s not often in this world that I run across an opportunity this promising. There are already four Spitfires in my family, so I’m not the right buyer for this project, but someone may be getting a tremendous deal. Even if you end up using this car as parts for another Spitfire project or re-shelling this one, at the price it’s at now you can’t go wrong. The Spitfire is located in Haysi, Virginia and is offered here on eBay at no reserve (bidding is only $306 as I type this!).

Jamie's Spitfire MK 2

This is my Mk. 2 Spitfire that was my daily driver from 2008 through 2013 and is now my weekend driver. I’ve included this to show you what one looks like when completed. I’ve corresponded a little with the owner of the auction car and he’s a minister that is moving, so the car and parts must be picked up by March 21. He’s carried this project around for 30 years and it’s time to give it up—a sad story.

1965 Triumph Spitfire Body Panels

The car comes with all the sheet metal needed to restore it, including new floors, a new trunk floor, a new rear valence, new chassis outriggers and other components. Boxes and piles of parts in fact, thankfully there are good pictures of them in the auction listing.

1965 Triumph Spitfire Trunk

And as you can see from this picture, the sheetmetal is really needed. I’m not even sure I would choose to start on this body tub; round tail Spitfire projects with less rust are out there (although not at this price). But this one comes with a clear title and so much more!

1965 Triumph Spitfire Engine

Some of the special items in this auction are visible in this picture. The car comes with not one, but two completely rebuilt 1296 cc engines, although the seller does state that they were rebuilt a while back and should be resealed. And what’s that in the upper right? Yes, that’s a REAL Minilite wheel, not a reproduction. More Minilites are in other pictures, so it would be worth checking to make sure all four are there. I have seen Minilite sets go for close to $1,000. It even has new tires!

1965 Triumph Spitfire Transmissions

On the right in this picture is another gem—an overdrive transmission! I wish I had one of those in my Spitfire (there’s one in my parts store that will eventually find its way in there). These transmissions also typically bring close to $1,000 by themselves. I’m not suggesting parting this car out, just pointing out the value that comes along with the package. Please, someone, save this Triumph! I haven’t got the room!

Comments

  1. Avatar Vince Habel

    Someone will get a deal even if it is used for parts.

    Like 0
  2. Avatar grantp

    Tried a bid (from Canada) eBay will not allow it, and unable to contact lister (yet!) Error message says ‘will not ship to Canada’ – from what I read, owner will not ship at all! Why would Canada matter?

    Like 0
    • Avatar Dolphin Member

      I think there is a way to select countries that you will or will not accept bids from when you list a car on Ebay. Maybe the idea is that some sellers might not want the hassles and likely time delays from dealing with someone outside the seller’s country. It can get pretty illogical when it comes to the situation you describe, but I think what the seller actually means is that he will not ship the car to the buyer, anywhere, for a single specified flat fee.

      On the other hand, he should be OK with cooperating with the buyer by providing the pickup address and by allowing the buyer or the buyer’s carrier to load and remove the car after it is paid for. A lot of car sellers say this in their listing, but this seller didn’t put that information in the listing. If you can convince the seller that you are serious and will follow his wishes about payment and pickup of the car, I think there is a way for a seller to allow specific bidders to bid if you provide him with your Ebay ID. It’s worth a try. Good luck.

      Like 0
  3. Avatar jim s

    this should be fun to watch as i see a lot more in parts then the current bid. someone who has a lot of triumphs in their family would be wise to stock up. might be able to use the red non-british vehicle in the above photo to haul the stuff home. great find

    Like 0
  4. Avatar grantp

    Nope – seller is not taking questions. Too bad, kinda wanted a Spitfire to restore in the stable. I have just about enough life left to do it too. All done here.

    Like 0
  5. Avatar ron

    i believe that o/d tranny will slide in behind the 1500 engine in the late model midgets, too. (75-79)

    Like 0
    • Avatar garlin

      It will require a few modifications to fit an early O/D into a late Spitfire. But nothing that can’t be fairly easily accomplished. The late switches were in the gear shift lever. Early were on the steering column. Clutch will need to be changed as the tranny input shaft has different number of teeth. Don’t remember if the flywheel has to be changed. And maybe the tranny mount. But still a fairly easy swap.

      Like 0
  6. Avatar seth

    Found where it is on a map. apx 50 miles north of Bristol. Tenn. on the end of a state road in the mountains

    Like 0
  7. Avatar Stuart

    Haysi Virginia? What is that, the plural pluperfect of Hayseed? My trailer is ready, I’m goin’ in…whats your take on the bonnet though? Mapquesting it now, just went to freakin’ rural Va from Raleigh for a 5 day old bull calf, why not a beater Spit….

    Like 0
  8. Avatar grantp

    Treat it nice Sturat

    Like 0
  9. Avatar Stuart

    Sturat indeed!!! I’ve been called worse, my big sister used to call me Stufart…

    Like 0
    • Avatar grantp

      OOps – sorry Stufart

      Like 0
  10. Avatar Cameron Bater UK

    Hmm this would appear to be the model with the rare concrete boot floor, in reality these didn’t need any air-con as the tolerance on such a floor was so poor and it let in a lot of air.

    All jokes aside though this at USD$810 represents great value assuming those spare engines turn over, even then though you might find you get a few GBP£1000 for various parts if you wanted to go to the trouble of stripping it down. Honestly though I’d restore it, The boot floor is gone – SO WHAT its a fairly cheap fix, my father had the same issue with his 300TDI Discovery Land Rover and he replaced it almost free of charge.
    I’d love to take one of these and re-work it, one in this condition leaves you with many options on what to do. the four big ones being.
    1. Restore it to Concourse.
    2. Restore it as an every day (Upgrade some mechanics)
    3. Kit Car Donor, its sad but imagine owning a beautiful sports car based on a beautiful sports car.
    and
    4. Kit Car Donor – The Next Level, use the vehicle as a base but design your own body and graft it on.

    Like 0
  11. Avatar Jamie Staff

    Bidding still only at $810. Wow. Wish this had been around when I was building Spitfires!

    Like 0

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