One of the most significant challenges an enthusiast faces when embarking on a project build is locating a candidate that doesn’t break the bank before it rolls into their workshop. That makes this 1967 Triumph Spitfire worth a close look. It is a rock-solid barn find that the owner is selling with additional parts to help the buyer on their restoration path. However, its affordability might make it irresistible to many wishing to slip behind the wheel of a classic British sports car. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder T.J. for spotting this promising project.

Triumph introduced the Spitfire to the waiting motoring world in 1962, based on a design penned by Giovanni Michelotti. It evolved through a continuous production life that ran until 1980. Our feature car rolled off the line in 1967 and is one of the last Mark II examples to emerge from the company’s Coventry factory. Some paint colors are iconic and feel “right” when applied to a particular car. Such is the case with the Triumph Spitfire and Signal Red. It was 1-of-10 shades available in 1967, and is ideally suited to the Spitfire’s lines. The history of this beauty is unclear, but the suggestion is that it has spent a considerable period in storage. The seller describes it as rock-solid, meaning the buyer may not face rust repairs during their build. Returning it to active service essentially unchanged may be possible, although the ease with which these cars can be disassembled may make a frame-off restoration worth the effort. The soft-top looks “baggy,” and the new owner might choose to replace it. A few trim pieces are AWOL, but those that remain look pretty good. I can’t spot any glass issues, and another set of wheels is included in the parts collection that forms part of the package.

The seller includes no engine shots or information beyond the new owner receiving a spare transmission in the deal. The engine bay should house a four-cylinder engine with a capacity of 1,147cc, producing 67hp and 67 ft/lbs of torque. The driver tackles shifting duties with a four-speed manual transmission, and while the figures don’t promise sparkling performance, the Spitfire is a surprise packet. It tips the scales at a mere 1,475 lbs, providing a respectable power-to-weight ratio. It won’t threaten many high-performance models, but cruising on the open road at 60mph is relatively effortless. However, the close proximity of Planet Earth to the occupants makes progress feel significantly faster, and the low curb weight makes these genuinely engaging on twisting roads. It is unclear whether this car runs, and it would be best to assume it doesn’t. The Spitfire is typical of British sports cars from this era where the company utilized drivetrain components with humble origins. They aren’t particularly sophisticated, making rebuilds a doddle in a home workshop. You have everything required to perform most tasks if you have a workshop manual, a set of sockets, a few assorted spanners, screwdrivers, and a pair of pliers.

This Spitfire’s interior is another mystery item, although the only supplied image suggests deep cleaning will be the first step in its revival. The driver’s seat shows a split, and the condition of the remaining trim is unclear. A set of slipcovers may be all that is required to make it serviceable, but a retrim won’t break the bank if it is needed. Kits containing every required component typically retail for around $1,500, and there are few things more satisfying than stepping back and admiring an interior you have brought back from the brink with your hands.

Okay, I have teased you for long enough. It’s time to get down to brass tacks. The seller listed this 1967 Triumph Spitfire here on Craigslist in Schaumburg, Illinois. They set their price at $3,000 and are firm on that figure. That makes it unquestionably affordable, and one great attraction of these classics is that they are easy to work on. Throw in the ready availability of cheap parts, and it is easy to see why it could be irresistible. Will you take the bait and pursue this classic further?