1976 Triumph Spitfire for sale $14,995

1976 Triumph Spitfire $14,995
Car Ad from: Hemmings View Original Ad
Price: $14,995
Contact: View Original Ad from Hemmings
Location: Fort Worth, TX
Details: Part of the 70s flood of affordable 2-seater sports cars from Englandand#44; the Triumph Spitfire was low-cost fun that had plenty of style. This 1976 Spitfire is a late 1500 modeland#44; arguably the most desirable of the bunchand#44; and thanks to a fairly comprehensive fresheningand#44; this is the most drop-top fun you can have per dollar. Lets get started!

High visibility Sunset Orange paint makes this two-seater look faster and more expensive than it really isand#44; and we promise that wherever you goand#44; people are going to admire this car. The shape dates to the early 1960s but low-slung two-seaters just dont seem to go out of style. The proportions seem to hide the cars diminutive size and despite the very reasonable price tagand#44; the workmanship is pretty darned good. It seems that the work was done a few years agoand#44; so its no longer perfectand#44; but on the other handand#44; it shines up welland#44; the panel fit is goodand#44; and aside from some minor chips from being drivenand#44; it looks great. Details like the black gaskets between the fenders and bodyworkand#44; the hood latchesand#44; and the chrome luggage rack add a lot of character to the little sports car. The taillights appear to be original and theyre a little faded and crazedand#44; but replacements are probably inexpensiveand#44; too. Chrome bumpers with big rubber overriders are a fact of life on any 70s importand#44; but theyre in good condition and theyve aged gracefully.

The British were still doing interiors focused on drivingand#44; even in the 1970sand#44; and this Spitfire has comfortable buckets faced in clothand#44; so they hold you in place during spirited driving. The dashboard is real woodand#44; not some kind of plastic facsimileand#44; and its full of traditional Smiths gauges with big white markings that are easy to read at a glance. Door panels look to be reproductionsand#44; while the carpets look newer and fit well. The stereo is upgraded to an AM/FM/CD stereo head unit and it sounds decent in the small cockpitand#44; even with the top down. The controls feel natural and youll feel at home the moment you slide behind the wheeland#44; and youll probably wonder how weve gotten so disconnected from our driving in recent yearsand#44; because this car talks to you loud and clear. For emergenciesand#44; theres a nice black convertible top and the trunk is surprisingly roomyand#44; perfect for a weekend getaway.

The 1500 in the model name refers to the 1500 cc four-cylinder engine under the hoodand#44; which had the most torque ever in a Spitfire. That made it feel punchier around town and gave it performance to match its look. The hood tilts forward for awesome service access and its pretty tidy in there. The engine shows signs of regular maintenance and uses the familiar side-draft Weber carburetor you find on many English cars of the era. Theres a bit of scale on the firewalland#44; but otherwise its quite clean and you cant argue with this this little sports car runs. There are undoubtedly many modifications for these little enginesand#44; but this one remains pretty stockand#44; which bodes well for reliability and long-term durability. The 4-speed manual transmission is a joy to run through the gears and the tough little four-cylinder engine makes a wonderful baritone wail at speed. The suspension is surprisingly sophisticatedand#44; being independent all aroundand#44; and the brakes are strong enough for something so light. Nicely finished black wheels with trim rings and center caps look great and carry 175/70/13 radials.

For affordable funand#44; its hard to beat a vintage British sports car. This Spitfire is a little less common than an MGB and everyone will be interested to know more about it. Call today!