No, it’s not an MG TF, or a Morgan, or a Singer! The Spartan was a kit car based on Triumph mechanicals produced in England from 1973 to 1995. This one is left hand drive and is located in Floral City, Florida and is up for sale here on eBay, with bidding at $1,000 but a buy-it-now of $6,000. Thanks to reader Jim S. for this great find!
The Spartan looks to be in pretty good shape, and even includes full weather equipment–a top and side curtains. Personally, I think it looks a little ungainly, but horses for courses I guess. It’s certainly a unique design as far as it’s evocative of an MG TF but not close enough to be mistaken for one.
Based on the angle of the rear wheels, this example has retained the Spitfire/Herald independent rear suspension. I like the fact there are actually five identical aluminum wheels; I think they are the Western Wheel version of the classic Minilite style wheel.
The center portion of the body is made from aluminum, while the fenders are made from fiberglass. The kit seems to have been well-constructed, and there is an active owners club catering to the over 4,000 kits produced. I think the view of the front may be the most flattering one of the bunch.
Unfortunately, we’re not given any indication of the mechanical condition of the car, only that it’s titled as a 1976 vehicle and that it has electronic ignition and a new wiring harness. I’d certainly want to know a lot more before placing a bid–what about you? Performance ought to be pretty good as I’m sure this is lighter than the stock Spitfire body shell. And Spitfires already handle well stock; they were advertised as pulling .87g on a skid pad on 155-13 radials when new! I think it could be a fun driver, depending on how much it goes for and how well it runs.
There’s always something about kits that are proportionally off, and they look VW based, even if they aren’t.
I think if the buyer takes care of it, and parks it indoors, he/she would never lose money on this one.
I’ve imported a number of Brit Kit Cars, usually the ergonomics are not that good. Try it before you buy it!
The proportions as stated above are terrible on this model. Keep the fenders and toss the rest into a tub grinder.
IMHO
I think it looks kind of cool based on what I get from the pis’s, $6000.00 for the BIN is steep though. If I were bidding I’d be out after $4000.00. The fun to dollar ratio would be pretty good after all what does four to six grand by you these days.
Seller probably paid the equivalent of $2500 for it in UK plus at least $1500 to ship it, then another couple hundred in customs brokers fees etc, then transport costs from whatever port it came in on to wherever he had it shipped so I don’t think he’s gonna make much/if anything on this one. So, hope he didn’t buy it to flip and is prepared to take a loss so perhaps new owner might get a much better price than his “Buy-it-Now”