As the owner of a 1967 Triumph Spitfire, which is what this custom creation is based on, my original reaction to this car was, shall we say, spirited. However, after looking it over closely, some of the work is done extremely well, and the backyard engineering alone to make this conversion work is substantial. It’s listed for sale here on eBay, where the buy it now is $9,500 but the opportunity to make a lower offer is there. At least it’s not rusting at the moment, as it’s located in Tempe, Arizona.
The bodywork necessary to make this creation work is unreal. At first I was wondering what the fake scoops are in the back, because, of course, a Spitfire has a front engine/front radiator. Except this one. Since the constructor wanted to install air conditioning, and that would take up all the available space in front of the 327 cubic inch V8 engine (yes, you read that correctly), the radiator was moved to the rear and an entirely separate body extension was created to house it.The AMC or Austin Marina/TR7 door handles are a nice touch as well, along with what I suspect are GT6 vent windows.
You can still see the tail light plinths from the stock Spitfire in this shot. I believe those are Mustang II tail lights. The seller tells us it’s a Chevy truck radiator as well.
Based on the rust here, I’d say you’ll need to replace both rocker panels. The good thing is that is quite straightforward, at least on a stock car, and the parts are readily available. However, you’ll be on your own getting the front fender flare sorted out afterwards.
Here’s that 327, along with a lot of modifications from the stock Spitfire layout. We’re told front brakes are from a Spitfire GT; I’m guessing that means a GT6, which is a common upgrade for performance Spitfires, but might be challenged slowing this baby down. We’re also told that there is a permanently engaged overdrive behind the four speed transmission to deal with gear ratio issues.
The rear end setup has been swapped for that of a Corvair, including its brakes. Now since a Corvair had a transaxle, I’m really not sure exactly what gears are doing what in this car, but perhaps that’s why the overdrive is necessary. Just to get it to the point of it running and driving must have been monumental!
The interior features a custom dash with integrated air conditioning, something you won’t see often in a Spitfire. And no pesky leaky convertible top either, the seller has constructed a rear portion reminiscent of early C3 Corvettes and incorporated a T-top to boot! It is very obvious that a lot of thought and effort went into the build, regardless of what you might think of the styling.
So there you have it. One of the more unusually modified cars I’ve ever posted on Barn Finds. But obviously, one that was done with a lot of thought. The car runs and drives now, but due to aged tires, the seller hasn’t taken it over 40 mph yet. Read the ad for more of a description and tell us what you think of this creation! Personally, I think it’s pretty cool, although I think the seller will have a tough time getting what they are asking for the car. And if it captures your fancy and you end up buying it, be sure to let us know!
American Racing Vector wheels were very cool in the 70’s. I had a set on my 75 Bucanneer Red Trans Am, but without the black “Dukes of Hazzard” paint finish. As nice as the wheels are, they really cannot improve the looks of this poor car………
Not feeling the love for this one.
I think he should have cut the trunk down and shortened that rear end. Better yet, drop the 327 in front of the transaxle and put that rad up front! Lose the elephant ears.
Ugliest in the extremis. Oh horrors! And I thought I wasted my life!
I thought someone jack ass bastardized a C3 Vette, but thank god its only a Spitfire…
Whatever he’s smoking….I want some…..shew…..my bad….
Nope, do not want. Judging the rust, bondo, and english sheet metal, how long would this last in any climate with a humidity above 2%?
Just plain fugly.
I threw up in my mouth when I saw this…
One man’s dream is another man’s nightmare
Wonder where he started on this project? Was this planned out, or just organic?
Does anyone have a sense of how efficient that radiator is going to be sandwiched between the luggage box and the back of the car. I can’t see any evidence of a fan(?). It just doesn’t seem like there’s any room for the air to circulate around or through the radiator.
Also, any idea of how much the headers would have cost to have built and could the money have been better spent on … well, anything else?
on the plus side…. presumably a period 1966 Chevy 327 motor has some basic value to someone restoring a Chevy of that era and looking for the parts? same for those period alloy wheels presumably….
Other than that…. ugly, pointless piece of Cr*p. poorly thought out and executed answer to a question no sober person ever asked. If this is one man’s dream, I assume he had this dream while under the influence of some quite dangerous drugs?
Congrats to you guys for some good bellylaughs.
The comments are a hoot.
Wow, this has to be the oddest conglomeration of parts I’ve seen in a while. Body work aside ( which must have been a job in itself) none of this makes any sense. Proof positive, the old car hobby is as limitless as the builders imagination. I think it’s really cool, but looks pretty dangerous to me. Plus it’s coming apart. The A/C setup is,,,different, and this thing has to run hot. Mustang ll tail lights?
Corvair made a mid engine?
My thought too. He must have flipped over the ring gear when he pointed the trans forward …
Well it’s certainly unique. but I agree with Howard, bringing a big fire extinguisher for going above 40Mp/H would be a wise idea. What was the builder thinking with that back-end? It’s like he started at the front, found out that he had no place for the cooling and moved it to the back. Which made the back longer and the car looks out of proportion. Too bad, it could have been cool, but the builder missed drawing class in school.
Hi Alex, rear mounted radiators are nothing new, really. Off roaders and some resto mod pickups have the radiators in the back, but they are usually out in the open with several electric fans. I agree, tho, it’s as if they spent more time on the A/C condenser than the radiator ( at 1st, I thought the condenser WAS the radiator)
Re the “Corvair transaxle”, note the words ‘mid engine’ comment, ie a Corvair fitted with a (probably V8) engine where the rear seat is normally.
Well, now we know what the offspring would look like if a Corvette and a Spitfire had kids. WTH…I’ve driven uglier. I’d drive this. Be only one like it at car show.
The 327 should have been “dropped in” from a five-story building. Or vice versa. Either way, a lot of time and materials would have been saved. I am also starting to see a disturbing link between the amount of time spent on some of the more “interesting” projects we see here and the fantastic prices being asked. Can there be a correlation between time spent on wacky projects and loss of brain cells? Methinks we are starting to see a pattern here.
Yep…buy a model car kit, open box and pour in one bottle of Testor’s glue. Close box and shake vigorously. Allow to dry. Open box and…. wallaa !
save the wheels !
burn the rest
They make a driving jacket to go with this. The sleeves tie together in the back.
If ya can’t say anything nice… Well, that appears to be a very nice 327.
Are those AMC door handles I see?
Take this guys copy of ‘Corvette summer” Away. It was a bad influence!!
I know people (Thanks to shortchanging mental health care in our state) they were never committed but this sort of thing would make perfect sense to them, One of whcih fitted snowmobile tracks and skis to his motorcycle. I for one think its a terrible car, but I love that there are wackos out there building this stuff.
Sure beats the alternative.
For some people, the best role model you can be is an example to others.
I raised some eyebrows at the VA the other day after some cheery homilies annoyed me and I said.. “Some people are like Slinky’s,, Totally useless but very entertaining when you push them down the stairs!”
Everyone that left a negative comment above should hang their head for not recognizing seller genius when confronted by it.
With a $9500 price, he’s obviously not ready to let go of his ($????) car, and is obviously advertising high-ball it to satisfy someone else who may be insisting that they don’t like it in his front/side/back yard. Listing ends and he shrugs his shoulders and turns to them and says: Nobody bought it! Can’t throw it away! Guess it will have to stay. If he’s serious about selling, the car price will have to move (down?) to match market for it to sell.
Listing and selling are two different things, and it is important to know the difference when it is as stark as it is here.
Beauty is in the eye of…. Nah, never mind.
Last week, the “father of LSD” died. Could this be part of the estate?
So that’s what happened to the designers of the Pontiac Aztec
Good one DrinkinGasoline!! Model car. Keep those sharp, witty comments coming! Can’t get enough!!
I once had a 67 Spitfire. Other than the latches on the bonnet, there’s little else to recognize the connection between this one and my old one. I wish the seller the best of luck, but I won’t be looking any further on this one.
I wonder what this guy thinks a hot woman looks like……
Don’t go there. Dear God don’t go there.