Viable summer projects don’t come much cheaper than this. For only $1,300, you can get a solid, non-rusty 1980 Triumph Spitfire with a factory metal hardtop, overdrive and an engine that isn’t seized. You can find the ad here on craiglist, and the seller is even offering delivery within 100 miles of Raleigh, North Carolina.
I’ll save you my opinions that Spitfires offer more bang for the buck than anything else out there; for $1,300 how can you go wrong with a red (okay, red-0range) convertible sports car with great parts availability? And for those of you who care about things like this, 1980 was the last year of Spitfire production.
Even the floors look pretty solid. You will need to purchase a carpet kit, but they are available here for only $130 with free shipping!
And there’s that all-important overdrive knob. The electrically-actuated overdrive allows the simple four-speed gearbox to be shifted as a six-speed, although overdrive third is close enough to fourth that unless you’re trying to impress someone I wouldn’t bother. The dashboard and dash top, as well as interior panels are readily available as well.
It’s nice to see a 1500 cc engine that still has the original carburetor — and given the cleanliness of it compared to the rest of the engine, it may have been rebuilt as well. The seller is including some extra parts. Besides, if you’re in this area, I probably have anything the car needs on my shelves to give away! Let us know if you like this cheap and cheerful convertible!
A much better deal then the 33K Spitfire the other day.
A good basis for a project at that price, including rust repairs to the rocker panels, hydraulics, etc. Hopefully the chassis is as solid as the floors appear to be.
You’re right, Jamie, the OD is a great addition. I’d still go for a pair of carbs and header system to liven up the ol’ 1500.
lotsa late model midget owners are lookin’ for the o/d tranny and the twin 1.5 su setup, too. but nothing wrong w/the original zenith/Stromberg carb, either. this engine has been stretched to almost twice its original size, so some care should be taken due to piston speed.
big block!!! tube chassis!!!
That looks surprisingly solid. Is it possible to swap old bumpers for chrome ones? Someone is going to have a lot of fun for $1,300.
Yes, you can swap the rubber bumpers for chrome. It’s not exactly an “unbolt the rubber and bolt on the chrome” operation but it takes very little additional work to swap them out.
Nice find. Seems like a good price for the car considering the O/D. But only if the O/D actually works and there is no way to know that until the car is actually able to be driven for a while. An O/D selonoid costs in the neighborhood of $250 – $300 so things can get pretty pricy, pretty quick.
If it was on this coast it would be in the driveway. Not the best advised purchase right now but for $1300 how can you not?
Sigh, jeez-louise, $1,300 doesn’t buy much, apparently. The plus, the price and it’s got O/D, the minus, I’m too old to be replacing panels and such. While the front repairs are a breeze, the rear is a nightmare, and a car of this caliber, you can bet you’ll be under there busting your knuckles, and interior and dash are a bit tight, as well. I know, memories of fixing a 1500 are still fresh. Ok car for someone, but know what? I give up on the British roadster as a retirement hobby. The good ones cost too much, and the cheapies are too far gone.
If only it were closer to Chicago….
I managed a British Leyland parts department 1978-1980 and the Spitfire was my favorite. Seemed lighter and more toss able than an MGB…
This would be an easy project with another $1600 in parts and my labor….
It’s a good deal for anyone with the skills and a little extra cash…
And refinishing the inside of the bonnet is easy if you have a big tree to lean it on. ;-)
Hey, the overdrive is worth 1300 or more, the rest is a bonus.
very Nice always liked and wanted one. Simple and easy to work on. Somehow I ended up with a twelve cylinder Jaguar convertible instead. Who knows, maybe after the Jag drives me crazy?
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Would make a nice companion to my ’68 Sprite projects rebirth… Hmmmmm
Small, easy to paint… chrome bumper conversion, Leather interior.. make totally keyless like my ’17 124 Spider.. push button start, back-up cam, power locks/windows, killer multi speaker stereo w/sub… As many toys as I can add..