Description

1972 Triumph Spitfire MkIV

Only 33,000 miles indicated which is believed to be correct; recent sympathetic restoration to show standard with many new parts; unleaded head; factory hard top; few owners; a really lovely example

As the Heritage Certificate confirms, this Triumph Spitfire MkIV was built in September 1972 and the V5C shows that it was first registered in January 1973. Documents on file state that it was bought new by Charles Hague & Sons Ltd, a soft drinks company in Barnsley owned by the father of the Rt. Hon. Sir William Hague, former Foreign Secretary and Leader of the Conservative Party.

It then had three further local owners before our vendor acquired it from the Classic & Sportscar Centre in Malton in in September 2016 at which point it was showing 32,500 miles on the clock which was believed to be correct. Since buying the car our vendor has treated it to a thorough but sympathetic restoration while trying to retain as much originality as possible.

The bodywork had previously been restored in 1996 with new rear lower wing sections and sills but the original Saffron Yellow paintwork was looking tired so it was sent to FG Auto Bodyshop in Nottingham where it was stripped down to a bare shell and repainted. On return from the paint shop it was carefully rebuilt with many new parts, all detailed in invoices and a DVD on file.

On the mechanical side, the cylinder head was taken off and rebuilt with new valve guides and hardened valve seats to make it suitable for unleaded fuel. Accuspark electronic ignition was also fitted along with a pair of reconditioned carburettors. The gearbox was noisy so it was replaced with a reconditioned 4-speed non-overdrive unit supplied by Triumph specialists TD Fitchett Ltd of Telford. A new clutch plate and thrust bearing were also fitted along with new master and slave cylinders, new gear lever bushes and a new rear gearbox mounting.

The braking system was gone right through with new pads, shoes, pipes, master cylinder etc. The suspension was rebuilt with new front shocks and coil springs, new polybushes and GAZ adjustable rear shock absorbers. Halogen headlights were fitted along with a rear fog light and hazard lights. New front and rear screen rubbers were fitted and new door rubbers.

The seats got new foams to the backs and bases and all the carpets were renewed, including the boot. Inertia reel seatbelts were fitted along with a ‘classic style’ DAB radio with USB and Bluetooth hands free connectivity. All 5 wheels were refurbished, powder coated and fitted with new tyres. The bonnet got gas struts and all inner panels and door skins were treated with Dynax S50 anti-corrosion wax.

Once the car was finished, 'Betty' as she is affectionately known, was entered into the Notts Classic Car Show at Thoresby Park in May 2019 where she won the Silver award (2^nd prize) in the Sports and Convertible category. Currently insured with an agreed valuation of £10,500, she has a removable factory hard top and an MOT until March 2023 with just two advisories, one for a minor oil leak and one for an exhaust leak which has since been fixed with a new rear silencer box and tail pipe.

Now showing 33,065 miles, this freshly rejuvenated Spitfire looks  very smart and is no doubt capable of winning more silverware on the show circuit should the lucky new owner feel so inclined.

For more information contact James on 07970 309907 or email james.dennison@brightwells.com