The Triumph Spitfire was a small British sports car manufactured by the Leyland Motors Ltd. from 1962 until 1980. The 1979 model was the last year of production for the Spitfire and the last of the original design. However, you might be different and want a one of one design. This 1979 Triumph Spitfire has been modified into a one of a kind custom roadster. It is listed here on Craigslist for an asking price of $6,500. The seller’s comments are few but it does say that this is your chance to own a piece of roadster history! The car is located in Hartford, Connecticut and has been listed for about a week. Andrew S. Mace find this car for sale and we appreciate him sending us the link.
The 1979 Spitfire was powered by a 1,493 cc four–cylinder engine producing 53 horsepower. This was the final powerplant of Spitfire 1500 which was produced from 1974-1980. The engine had an 7.5:1 compression ratio and could reach 0-60 mph in 16.3 seconds. Nope, you read that correctly, that is not the quarter mile time that is the 0-60 time. The inline 4 cylinder engine was mated to a four–speed manual transmission, with optional overdrive. The suspension was independent at the front and live axle at the rear, with disc brakes up front and drums in the rear. This engine has some matching wiring to go with its aqua paint job.
The interior was originally trimmed in vinyl and the car came standard with a folding soft–top. In 1979, the Spitfire received a few minor changes, including a new grille and bumper, revised rear lights and suspension, and a new instrument cluster. This car has obviously been modified so I am not sure what is stock and what is custom. This Spitfire is said to run and drive great.
In addition to the funky front end, some kind of flares or wings were added to the rear quarter panels along with black striping. The Spitfire was a popular car in the 1960s and 70s and remains a sought–after classic today. It is a simple, lightweight car that requires frequent maintenance but offers an enjoyable driving experience.
Creativity is one thing, but some folks have all their taste JUST in their mouth! Wow. This is uglier than a dads attitude when the daughter comes home late on her date with a new boyfriend he doesn’t like..
I thought the “surprised goldfish” front end was bad until I saw the little bat wings tacked onto the back and the weird scoops on the side. If I ran a shop and some dude was trying to commission me to build this dream car, I would have to say hell no. I would have to worry about my reputation.
This guy must have been kicked out of his art class in school. Also flunked the air flow part of his shop class.
The color combination looks great!….on a 1956 Packard.
I don’t think Giovanni Michelotti would approve of this look.
I do think Giovanni Michelotti would approve of his dog hiking his leg on it, though.
Hey, wasamatter youse guys, forget what country we live in? I think it’s cool. One correction, these had IRS, not a live rear axle, and it’s not your basic Schpitfire( in my best Artie Johnson voice) The excessive use of the color( the aqua oil filter is a nice touch) is a bit much, as is the “speed wings”, but it’s a nice car and OD would seal the deal, but I don’t see any evidence it has it.
Being honest with your kids when they are young can help them avoid cringeworthy mistakes like this when they get older.
Looks like a catfish in the front. And somebody very drunk doing the rear!😂
That front end reminds me of my ex wife
My spitfire had independent rear suspension not a live axle
A few years ago I bought (got running and sold it) a Triumph GT6 Mk III from a fella who had made extensive modifications such as this. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and regarding this “Spitfire” and my former GT6, I’m glad I’m nearsighted!
My GT6 had all sorts of “improvements” including a huge wing in the rear, trailer hitch, extra bonnet venting, and a very curious arrangement changing the hydraulic clutch to a mechanical style utilizing garage door pulleys, brackets, & cable (wire rope). The fella was creative to say the least but it would have been much simpler to replace both the clutch master and slave cylinders periodically…both relatively simple jobs on the GT6 and Spitfire.
As a good friend of mine once told me, “If we all had the same taste, we’d all be driving black 1952 Chevrolet Sedans, and a boring world it would be, indeed.” No offence to the Chevy folks out there!
A nose uglier than Tiny Tim. And to be accurate here, the Spitfire had a swing axle rear, not a true IRS which came on the GT6.
My ’70 GT6+ had a full Group 44 suspension (a buddy once said if you drove over a cigarette butt you could tell if it was filter-tipped or plain end), stripped bumpers, a hole cut in the hood to clear the 1-3/4″ SU’s on a TR6 manifold, cherry bomb glasspack, 5.5″ x 13 Ansen slotted mags with B50/13 tires that rubbed incessantly but sure was fun. I also replaced 5 clutches, 3 starters, 2 alternators, 2 transmissions, 1 radiator and countless parts like switches and suspension donuts in three years. I’d have one today if I could get in or out of it.
That is one butt ugly car!
Between the JagRod yesterday and this one, what are these guys smoking?
thats a triumph spitfire “small-mouth”tribute , done as a homage to the tr-3 small-mouth!
“beauty is in the eye of the beast-holder!”
Swing and a miss…
And yet, raves for the Izuzu SUV a couple of cars later. OK.
Kids, huffing paint leads only leads to bad things with your brain.
Like not proof reading.
Ba-zing!
The car is making the exact same face that most onlookers make when seeing it for the first time…
I think creativity should be encouraged. Even if it doesn’t always result in perfection.