On Sat, 14 Nov 1998, Odd Hedberg wrote:
> ...If You'd be happy with a smaller car [not
> that much smaller actually...] then the car to recommend is a
> Spitfire [a Mk3 or a 1500]...
> [The MkIV in NA form is something to avoid due to its anemic
> - so called engine...]
I must respectfully disagree with my good friend Odd Hedberg on this one
point. It all depends on what you want out of the car. If you're looking
for something that will "blow the doors off those annoying little [fill
in favorite current marque name here]," then you don't want a Spitfire of
any vintage, at least not without your wallet ready to feed $$$ into
upgrading the engine.
As for the Mk.IV in North American emissions trim, a stock 1971 isn't too
awfully bad. A stock 1972, with the low compression engine, is noticeably
less powerful than just about any other Spitfire (save for the later,
heavier Spitfire 1500s). But it is no less entertaining to drive and
enjoy. I have extensive experience with a bone-stock '72 that belongs to
a friend of mine [I'm chief mechanic, etc. :-) ]. It is just as nimble in
the handling department as any other Spitfire (and, dare I say, more so
than most stock TRs), and the "anemic" engine is still perfectly capable
of maintaining highway speeds and such. Yes, it suffers a bit on steeper
hills, but that's no big deal. And, if you so desire, it is not all that
expensive to bring that very engine back up to a respectable degree of
tune should your state's emission laws permit.
All in all, a choice of Spitfires might best be dictated by your
preference in appearance and (I use the word cautiously here) comfort.
The big debate is between the "round-tail" (63-70) and "square-tail"
(71-80). The cars pre-1969 are very basic. Beginning with the later Mk.3s
(69-70), they became a bit more plush inside. That trend slowly continued
in the Mk.IV and 1500s, but not necessarily in a way that lessens the fun
factor of the car.
Find a good one at an acceptable price, or find a cheap one and get a
workshop manual and some vendor catalogs. Either way, enjoy your
Spitfire, or TR, but not any of those "other" brands! :-)
--Andy
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* Andrew Mace, President and *
* 10/Herald/Vitesse (Sports 6) Consultant *
* Vintage Triumph Register <www.vtr.org> *
* amace@unix2.nysed.gov *
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