As soon as I saw this 1967 Triumph Spitfire Mk. II come into our tip box, I knew I wanted to write it up. I own a 1967 Spitfire Mk. II as well, and it’s my favorite Triumph of the six I have. This one is advertised for sale here on Facebook Marketplace for a somewhat optimistic asking price of $5,000. But there’s a lot to like about this little sports car, and I’m sure someone lives close enough to the happy-sounding town of What Cheer, Iowa, to check it out.
The Spitfire Mark II offered some mild refinements over the Mark I (pictured above, as the Mark II brochure was pretty boring). Basically, Triumph added carpet, a different grille, and a few more horsepower to the Mark I.
On the other hand, the USA Triumph ads were pretty interesting. This one featured world women’s surfing champion Joyce Hoffman in her actual Spitfire Mark II, which she did use to drive to events as pictured. Honest!
Back to our subject car. The seller tells us that their grandparents purchased the car in the mid 1980s and that it’s been parked in the barn for 30 years. The car is said to have suffered a differential failure, taking it off the road. The seller shares that the car is parked on concrete (despite the appearance of dirt) and therefore, hopefully, isn’t full of rust. I’d say that’s being optimistic, but you never know. The hardtop probably helped preserve the car, although it is not a factory one (possibly Parrish Plastics?)
It’s rare to see a derelict Mark I-III Spitfire with its taillight lenses intact; they aren’t held on very well and stick out obtrusively when one walks by-I know this for certain! But the car appears largely complete, and reproduction lenses are easy to find through multiple suppliers. Heck, I’ve got a used pair I’ll send free of charge to any Barn Finds reader who purchases the car!
Early Spitfire interiors, even the upgraded Mark II, are plain at best. However, the seats are surprisingly comfortable; I commuted in my Mark II 35 miles each way from 2009 through 2013 with no issues at all. Mark IIs were produced for just a month or two in early 1967 before the transition to the Mark III. In total, 37,409 were made from 1964 to 1967.
Believe it or not, I was encouraged by this picture at first. The engine bay looked complete and largely unmolested. But I’m really puzzled as to the apparent lack of a rear SU carburetor or even the rear manifold chamber. Obviously, this could be a misleading photo, but it certainly warrants checking it out further. But I have you covered again! I will add to the two taillight lenses and will ship, at my expense, an unbroken intake manifold and a used rear SU to any Barn Finds reader who purchases this Spitfire. Seriously. So let me know if you do in the comments! Let’s get another Spitfire back on the road! P.S. I may have a differential, too, but you’ll have to buy that one and pay shipping!
LED taillights are available from Moss if you want to light up your life. Nothing worth looking at through all the dirt, junk and the rat hangout. Lot of good ones out there for reasonable prices. Found this one in Virginia clean, one small rust spot for $1,500. It did need taillights though.
Maybe push this Spit back into the surf and let the water wash over it. Too many variables at play at this price, whatever the ask becomes.
Leverite…….there.