Charlie Brown defends Spitfires saying that they are fun to drive and
will give the "big TRs" all they want on the twisty bits, but are
looked down upon and regarded as inferior in build quality.
Charlie,
Let me start by saying that in addition to the two TR3s I own I also
own two Spits (neither running at present - one for sale) and one that
I co-own with my "partner-in-grime" Andy Mace (the Hardly Boys RaceSpit4).
My wife is the original owner of her '77 Spitfire, and regularly beats
the men in open class at the autocrosses. (Love driving her car!)
It's my understanding that when produced the Spitfire's were considered
*by the factory* to be disposable cars, so some of the build quality
and design flaw stories probably have some basis. HOWEVER, you are correct
about driving them. The steering is as close to a formula race car as you
can find in a production street car and the whole package is nimble, quick
and a damned lot of fun to drive. Add to this that they are still relatively
cheap to buy and maintain (serendipitous effect of the reputation?) and it's
easy to see why Spit owners love their cars.
I will take exception to the catagorization of TR3 owners as highway
cruisers and Concours entrants. I never enter the Concours. Never will.
I regularly autocross the car and rallye with the TR3. The Big TRs can also
be a lot of fun when you press the limits. I like both kinds of Triumphs.
(It's MGs I can do without. :-))
Uh-oh, If I start a flame war between the Big TR owners and the Herald
based owners, what side will I fight on? Spit? TR? Spit? TR? AARRRRRGGGHHH!
Oh well,
I may be schizophrenic, but at least I'll always have each other.
Rik
P.S. Are you coming to Albany for VTR'96? Just don't trailer the Spit
and spend the entire weekend polishing evenything down to and including
the valve stems. :-)
***************************************************************
Rik Schlierer "Imagination is what allows you
RGS03@HEALTH.STATE.NY.US to remember things that
NYS DEPT OF HEALTH, ALBANY NY never happened" (D.T.M.)
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