Triumph Spitfire 1500 TC

About this Collectable

Triumph Spitfire 1500 TC

In September 1960, Triumph began development of a new two-seater model. The Spitfire 4 Mk1 owed its designation to its 4-cylinder engine and initial design, and from the outset it outperformed competitors Austin Healey Sprite and the MG Midget. The Spitfire 1500 was launched two years before the end of MkIV production. In 1974, the new 1493cc engine was released in a slightly modified model and underwent many detail changes. It was hoped to keep the model in production until 1982 but by 1980 it was already clear that the Triumph 1500cc engine would never pass the new even stricter US emissions standards. As most of the Spitfires were sold in the US, this meant the end of production. 
A Spitfire drives great and, above all, is a lot of fun. It steers, despite the lack of power steering, light and direct, is quite comfortable and, especially for its time, quite smooth. You sit low, which emphasises the sporty feel and adds to the speed experience.  You can also have fun drifting with it, making it a real driver's car. This is further emphasised by the exhaust, which has a sporty but not annoying sound.

How nice then that we get one of the very last Spifires in our auction that was bought new in the Netherlands by the current owner's father! You won't find that anywhere. Delivered new in the colour Inca Yellow with hardtop. As indicated, they stopped production in 1980, so this is one of the very last Spitfires. The Triumph museum has the very last Spitfire in exactly the same colour and specifications!

Our view

The Triumph Spitfire is a classic English roadster and, when it comes to pure driving experience, a hit. Unfortunately, pretty much all (English) brands have gone astray and there are only roadsters that suffer from obesity with a few exceptions. Dutch-delivered Spitfires are already a rarity, so a first-hand car is really very special. Driven and maintained by enthusiasts and partly still in its first paint. As far as we can tell, a unique opportunity and nowhere to be found.

Equipment

The car has the following options ex-factory:

- Hard top (never used) 
- Leather tonneau cover (never used) 
- Original Philips radio 
- Seat belts

Modifications

None, this Spitfire completely original.

Notes

The car is in good condition, never restored and therefore completely untouched. Except for the left door, where a moped was once driven against, the Spitfire is in its original paint with a thickness of 70-100um. According to the appraiser, the Spitfire is in quality class 2 and has an assessed value of Euro 17,000,-.

Recent maintenance history

Maintenance in the past was carried out by Frank's technically savvy father himself. Recent maintenance below:

23-03-2021 - 60,600km - Complete service with all fluids and filters
14-03-2023 - 61,950km - Minor service plus brake fluid
18-10-2023 - 62,402km - Petrol leak fixed

About the seller

Frank, like his now-deceased father, is a car enthusiast. Has (owned) several special cars. The Spitfire was bought new in 1981 by his father, an English car adept. Rovers 2000, 3500 and Jaguars XJ were driven in the family and a Spitfire was not to be missed. In December 2017, the Spitfire came into Frank's name and ownership. It was driven about 500 km every summer and was always in his garage. Unlike his father, Frank has limited technical knowledge and therefore left the maintenance to his regular mechanic, who unfortunately quit due to his age. A true Triumph man, with great stories and who, when collecting the car, invariably poured a good glass of wine. Because of the low mileage and the disappearance of the regular mechanic, Frank decided to auction off the car at The Collectables so it could go to a new enthusiast.

Summary

Seller - Frank
Seller type - Private
Location - Barendrecht
Registration number - GZ-49-NF
Chassis number - TFADW2AT008532
Year of construction/date - 11-06-1981
Mileage - 62,855km 
Proven - Yes, 1st owner
Warranty - No
Margin/VAT - Margin car
Bodywork - Convertible
Engine - 1500cc 4-cylinder inline engine with 71hp
Drive system - Rear-wheel drive
Transmission - 4-speed manual transmission
Exterior - Inca Yellow
Interior - Black
Upholstery - Fabric / Skai
Smoking car - No
Owners - Family is first owner 
Tyres - 4 x Dunlop SP Speedresponse 175/70R13, DOT 2012, approx. 5 mm

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