The redesign of the Spitfire into the MKIV was a Michelotti design. In fact,
pg 46 in "The Triumph Spitfire" by Michael Cook, it is written-"Triumph's
styling theme for the 1970s called for squaring off the rear-end and using
large, horizontal taillights. This began with the TR6 and continued with the
restyled Triumph 2000 (which, wasn't sold much over here, I believe-LG.)
and 2.5 sedans as well as the V-8 powered Stag. The task was to take the
theme and scramble it with the current mechanical components and chassis to
produce a new looking car. The Spitfire styling would also be used to
up-date the GT6.
Michelotti succeeded admirably. He managed to carry on the Spitfire look
while creating a car that was contemporary and had real new driver benefits
such as a larger windshield."...
He goes on to describe all the changes-actually, the tweaking and refining
of a design. And making some features more useful besides.
I never attacked the round tail. I prefer the square-but I wish to own a
real round tail someday-a Spitfire4. It was the Spitfire 4 that I first fell
in love with when I was 9 years old-and faithful to Triumph ever since.
Laura G.
----- Original Message -----
From: Ron St. John <st-john@mediaone.net>
To: <spitfires@autox.team.net>
Sent: Saturday, December 04, 1999 2:11 PM
Subject: Spitfire club in Chicago Area
>
> Members:
>
> I just got done spending the last seven weeks getting my 70 Mk III (you
> know Laura, the Giovanni Michelotti design before the car was
> American-ized) road worthy after nine years on blocks. I've had the car
> since 1975. Its going in to get the body dings and scrapes repaired and
> a new paint job this winter. This is the second time in its life. I
> did most of the major restoration in 79-80 (after I drove it all through
> college, salt and all).
>
> My questions are:
>
> 1. Does anyone know of a Spit Club in the Chicago Area?
> 2. I need a new protective cover for the car and would like to buy
> one spefically for my year Spit if possible. My last one put to much
> pressure on the individual brake lens that are on the MkIII.
> 3. I'd also be interested if anyone knows a good Spit body guy in the
> Chicago area. I know good body guys but this is going to be an
> experiment for them. (the guy I used in 79-80 retired).
>
> Thanks for any help,
>
> Ron
>
>
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