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Re: Spitfire Mk3 Commission Number

To: Michael Burdick <mburdick@netserv.unmc.edu>
Subject: Re: Spitfire Mk3 Commission Number
From: Andrew Mace <amace@unix2.nysed.gov>
Date: Mon, 19 Aug 1996 10:40:27 +0400 (EDT)
Cc: muntsb@HiWAAY.net, triumphs@autox.team.net, Bernard Christian-Woodruff <Bernard.Christian-Woodruff@ping.be>
On Sat, 17 Aug 1996, Michael Burdick wrote:

> I have FDU86843L in my garage - built a couple of weeks before yours.  
> You are right about the dash etc... in these cars.  For the 1970 model 
> year only, I have noted these differences from early Mk3 Spits:
> 
> *  - Black vinyl dash with speedo and tach in front of driver.
> *  - Black bezels on guages instead of chrome
> *  - High back seats (which interfere with lowering the hood sticks)
>    - TR-6 style steering wheel, but black spokes instead of silver
>    - black plastic grille, instead of metal
>    - "Bullseye" badge on the bonnet instead of "T-R-I-U-M-P-H" letters
> ** - Side marker lights at the four corners
>    - Single ZS-carb instead of twin SUs
>    - "TRIUMPH" badge on boot lid instead of "Spitfire Mk3" script
>    - Single reverse light in place of old license plate light
>       - Two small licence plate lights flanking reverse light
>    - Amber turn signal lamps at rear, with red reflectors next to them
>    - Unique to '70 lens for the tail/brake lights (I don't have these :-( )
>    - Windscreen frame is painted satin black instead of body color
>    - Zipper rear window added in hood
> ** - Unique to '70 hub caps (I don't have these either - my car came 
with > K-Mart "aero-look" plastic 'caps.  Coooool!

The features marked with [*] above were also present on 1969 model year, 
U.S. spec. Spitfires (FDU series). As for those marked [**], the 1969s 
had small, rectangular Lucas reflectors on the "four corners" of the 
car. The 1969 U.S. cars also had unique wheel covers, a design adapted 
from a mid-1960s Dodge Dart. The 1970 U.S. spec. wheel covers were, I 
think, UK sourced, as they show in pictures of home market 1970 GT6 
Mk.2 and 2000 saloon models.

The 1970 U.S. Spitfire Mk.3 also sported a front side/flasher lamp more 
similar to that of the later Mk. IV Spitfire, as opposed to the two-bulb 
unit on the earlier Mk.3s. FWIW, earlier Mk.3s in the U.S. usually were 
equipped with a white side lamp lens and amber flasher lens in front, 
but the 1969s more often had amber lenses for both side and flasher 
lamps in front.
> 
> Two things present on my car but I don't know if original:
>    - Three point seat belts

The mounts were there, but the shoulder belts were optional.

>    - Alternator instead of generator (Control box for generator was still 
>         in the car though...)

I've seen both, but I believe that an alternator was commonly installed 
in the 1970 models for the U.S.
 
> There might be other differences but these are all that I can think of 
> off of the top of my head.

I think that's most of the important ones, Mike.

-- Andy Mace
FDU44306L -- 1969 Mk.3 "Federal" Spitfire

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