Triumph Spitfire
The Triumph Spitfire was a small British two-seat sportcar, introduced in 1962. The vehicle was based on a design produced in 1957 by Italian designer Giovonni Michelotti. The codename for the vehicle was the "Bomb". The car was largly based on the Triumph Herald but parts from other Triumph and later British Leyland cars could be found.
Models
Five separate Spitfire models were sold during the production run:
- Mk 1 (or Spitfire4) 1962 - 1964
- Mk 2 1965 - 1967
- Mk 3 1967 - 1970
- Mk 4 1971 - 1974/5
- 1500 1974 - 1980
The engine used in the Mk1 and Mk2 models was an inline 4-cylinder, 1147 cc unit. Mk 3 and Mk4 models used a 1296 cc engine. Midway through production, the Federal, or US-model Mk 4 changed engines to a 1493 cc unit, though non-US bound Mk 4 vehicles continued to use the 1296 cc engine. When the 1500 model was introduced, the 1493 cc unit was standard across the line.
Despite having sold more than the very similar MG Midget, the Spitfire is often forgotten and regarded as a "hairdresser car", despite Michelotti's sexy design.
The last Spitfire 1500, an Inca Yellow specimen with hardtop and overdrive, rolled off the assembly line in August 1980.
Today, the Spitfire has a dedicated following, both among enthusiasts and parts suppliers.
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External Links
- http://www.armfield.freeserve.co.uk/car/car.htm
- http://www.triumphspitfire.nl/
- http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/3122/Contents.html
- http://www.triumphspitfire.com
- http://www.vtr.org/Spitfire/index.html
