1964 Triumph Spitfire-6 MkI

Description

Fully restored in the late 1990s and only 20k miles since; only 10k miles on rebuilt GT6 2.0 engine; overdrive; leather seats; walnut dash; stainless steel exhaust; Le Mans alloy wheels; just serviced and runs like a Swiss watch

As the Heritage Certificate confirms, this Spitfire MkI was built in February 1964 finished in white with black Vynide trim and black hood with disc wheels and optional heater and windscreen washer. Supplied new via Hollingdrake Automobile Company of Stockport, it was fitted with a Triumph GT6 2.0 engine and overdrive gearbox fairly early in its life.

In 1985 it seems that the car was put into storage following a prang which damaged the o/s door and rear wing. In 1994 it was acquired by Gary Stretton of Classics Monthly magazine who was to keep it until 2013. Between 1995 and 1998 he treated the car to a total nut-and-bolt restoration, as documented by a vast file of invoices and many photos on file. Old MOTs show that since the restoration was completed the car has covered just over 20k miles, the odometer currently showing 75,785 miles.

A good number of invoices show regular upkeep in more recent years, including a full engine rebuild in 2009 with new pistons, bearings, timing chain etc. since when it has only covered 10,500 miles. Other significant expenditure includes a new clutch kit in 2000; a new set of five Le Mans style alloy wheels in 2006; a reconditioned 3.63:1 diff in 2014; a new radiator in 2018 and a new set of Dunlop tyres in 2019. A stainless steel exhaust system has also been fitted at some point.

Stickers on the windscreen imply that the car went to the Le Mans 24-Hours in 2010, to a historic racing event in Laon in 2016 and back to Le Mans again in 2018, so it is clearly well-suited to continental touring.

In September 2022 the car was driven 100 miles to Brightwells, the owner reporting that it drove beautifully with the overdrive working as it should. It was then acquired by our vendor (for rather more than the guide price suggested here) as a gift for a family member who subsequently fell ill, hence its reappearance in our sale today.

Although it is MOT-exempt, it has been tested regularly, the last MOT having expired in January this year with no advisories recorded. It comes with a good hood and tonneau cover in white plus some spare burgundy leather matching the seats and a Haynes workshop manual. There is also an agreed insurance valuation for £24,000 dated March 2020.

Treated to a new battery and a full service shortly before the auction at a cost of over £500, it has been starting promptly and running like a Swiss watch as we have moved it around on site, with good 70psi oil pressure.

A most appealing car all round, with many tasteful upgrades, this well-historied Spitfire, with its powerful and recently rebuilt six-cylinder engine, looks like an absolute steal at the modest guide price suggested.

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