Anyone know about Triumph Spitfires MK4

Witnes$ · 14-02-13, 12:35 PM

As above really, im looking for somthing fun and quirky for the summer for around the 2k mark. Ideally when I want to sell it in a few years time I wont have lost any money. Considered an MGB but they cost too much. a midget is an option but im trying to steer away from MG.

This is the one I curreltly have in mind:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TRIUMPH-SP...61169597325%26

Spoke with the owner who is emailing me some more pics, footwells, bulkhead/engine and boot.

petet16 · 14-02-13, 01:07 PM

I restored a mk3 years and years ago, that one in your link looks pretty fair.

I'm thinking it's been restored previously judging by the interior, some areas worth having a close look at are the front chassis outriggers, to replace them properly the body needs to be removed for access to the top of the outrigger, be warned they rot absolutely everywhere (like most 60s cars).

The overdrive needs to be working as rebuilds are expensive, so the switch missing would be a concern, and admitting in the advert to putting filler in the sills doesn't bode well, neither do cracks around the wheel arches.

If your serious about buying go and have a really good look and poke about.

petet16 · 14-02-13, 01:16 PM

Practical Classics price guide values a mk4 between £700 for something needing plenty of work to £3600 for a minter, 2k should get you something with an mot and in usable condition but probably needing some tidying.

Something else I remembered about the engine, the thrust washers are prone to wearing, so to check, with the engine running get someone to operate the clutch and watch the crank pulley for in and out movement.

Witnes$ · 14-02-13, 01:30 PM

Excellent Pete. Points duly noted especially the OD switch. Will probably bide my time and hopefully find something more local and have time to peruse.

petet16 · 14-02-13, 01:47 PM

No problem, they're fun little cars for a Summer ride.

It would be worth joining one of the owners clubs both for info and cars for sale, also it's worth looking at a few to get a feel for the good, and not so good, misaligned panels and uneven panel gaps are common, they weren't that great originally so unless they're really poor it's not a huge problem.