Actually, yes I have driven "older" Spitfires but I could never seem to "get
into trouble" with them as some people apparently can do. And I don't think
my former race car driving experience had that much to do with being able to
keep them pointed in the right direction at all times. You just have to
become "one with the car" and be able to feel it's mood and emotions, and
know what it is about to do to you and compensate for it. What, doesn't
everyone meditate with their cars before taking them out for a drive? :)
BTW: I still have a 1963 Mechanix Illustrated magazine in which Tom McCahill
test drives and evaluates the Sprite, Midget, and Spitfire, and specifically
mentions this tidbit about the Spitfire. He states that if he were to buy a
Spitfire he would definitely add the camber compensator to his list of
options (of which there were few). But to this day I have never experienced
the thrill of taking an older Spitfire out for a "spin".
Reid
'79 Spitfire (original owner)
-----Original Message-----
From: Joe Curry [mailto:spitlist@gte.net]
Sent: Wednesday, December 08, 1999 10:31 AM
To: Simmons, Reid W
Cc: spitfires@autox.team.net; triumphs@autox.team.net
Subject: Re: Spitfire gets praised and picked on!
Reid,
That is because you have a '79 Spit. Have you driven one of the early
ones that don't have the swing-spring? Without the camber compensator
installed it can be a real adventure!
Joe
"Simmons, Reid W" wrote:
>
> Rich;
>
> Consider the source. Just because the editors of that rag can't properly
> handle an automobile doesn't mean that no one else can either. I have
found
> the handling of the Spitfire to be superior to almost every other 'stock'
> car I've driven. Of course I haven't driven every type of car ever
made...
> yet. :)
>
--
"If you can't excel with talent, triumph with effort."
-- Dave Weinbaum in National Enquirer
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