Does Oppo Spitfire?

"Noah - Now with more boost." (antriebverliebt)
07/19/2016 at 10:02 • Filed to: None

I know at least one of you is doing a complete resto on one of these, but are there any others out there? The idea of these things really appeals to me. The fact that you can get a little slice of top down British motoring for $3000 is so enticing.

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DISCUSSION (32)

random001 > Noah - Now with more boost.
07/19/2016 at 10:08

I have been seriously considering this for a Fiat 124.

Raymundo > Noah - Now with more boost.
07/19/2016 at 10:10

It’s always a car a revert to when perusing the list of Craigs for an NA Miata, only to find that they’re all beat to hell and over priced. For the price of a janky Miata, I could get a sorta janky Spitfire, and the Spitfire seems to ooze more cool.

Noah - Now with more boost. > Raymundo
07/19/2016 at 10:12

Yep. I bet a Spitfire would have SO much more character than an NA.

djmt1 > Noah - Now with more boost.
07/19/2016 at 10:13

You mean 4 of them (probably more by now).

https://kinja.com/biturbo228#_ga…

Noah - Now with more boost. > random001
07/19/2016 at 10:13

They are such good deals. Other than a Fiat spider I don’t think there’s any other RWD manual 7os/80s vert you can buy for almost nothing

random001 > Noah - Now with more boost.
07/19/2016 at 10:18

There are four or five, basically. In the $3000 range, you’ve got the Spitfire, maybe a TR6, from Triumph. There’s the MGB or the MG Midget. The Fiat 124, and the Alfa Spyder. Ok, so that’s six. The TR6 is the hardest one to find for under $5000, but they can be had needing a little work.

Raymundo > Noah - Now with more boost.
07/19/2016 at 10:18

I bet. I’ve been baby sitting an NA Miata for a while now and I absolutely love driving it. I do wonder how the transmission in a Spitfire would stack up to the Miata because good God does the Miata’s transmission feel nice. I wonder if that’s just a Mazda thing because I have a friend with an RX-8 that also has just a fantastic feeling transmission.

Anyway, are you gonna get a Spitfire?? Well?? Are ya?? An Oppo review would be nice.

Noah - Now with more boost. > random001
07/19/2016 at 10:21

Yeahhh I love TR6s but I don’t think you can get a respectable one for under 5 now :..( but you do have a point. I’ve wanted one ever since James May did that piece on them for TG years ago - maybe it’d be worth it to buy a bit of a project and have something I’m really into

random001 > Noah - Now with more boost.
07/19/2016 at 10:23

I know of one in pretty decent condition near me for $3000. I’m really trying not to go look at it...

Noah - Now with more boost. > Raymundo
07/19/2016 at 10:23

Maybe!! I have a big decision to make. I currently pay a very reasonable price for a spacious apartment with 2 parking spaces - but I really want to move since it’s far away from the city. But... I’m a highly eccentric car nut so it’d be 100% in character for me to fill the second parking space first :D

Noah - Now with more boost. > random001
07/19/2016 at 10:24

That’s what I think will happen to me at some point. One of the many cars I’m into for sub 5k will pop up, I will cave and drive it, fall in love instantly, and end up with who knows what lol.

random001 > Noah - Now with more boost.
07/19/2016 at 10:30

Or buy this so I don’t have to go look at it, either...

http://mansfield.craigslist.org/cto/5680542354…

Noah - Now with more boost. > random001
07/19/2016 at 10:34

ughhhh so much want. I’d have a very hard time with that one if it was near me. I think you should buy it. It’s mint

random001 > Noah - Now with more boost.
07/19/2016 at 10:40

I’m resisting. It’s very difficult...

random001 > Noah - Now with more boost.
07/19/2016 at 10:45

Dammit, I emailed...

Noah - Now with more boost. > random001
07/19/2016 at 11:24

haha YES. Keep oppo posted!

Ross Kraz > Noah - Now with more boost.
07/19/2016 at 11:24

Bought one that had sat for years, got it back on the road and then sold it on. Great fun and pretty simple to work on.

random001 > Noah - Now with more boost.
07/19/2016 at 12:26

Damn, he emailed me back. Quickly.

“I have driven the car only around the neighborhood a total of about 10 miles. It runs, idols, brakes and shifts thru the gears with no problems. It has a slight vibration from the rear around 35 mph on up. I’m thinking frozen u-joint from sitting all those years but not sure?? I’ve had it idling for over 45 min with NO cooling system issues. It has new water pump, thermostat, heater hoses, heater control valve, water tube and radiator has been flushed and tested so the cooling system is good to go. It might need shocks rides a little hard from sitting 40+ years, the tie rods and suspension all seem tight and OK.

The top convertible top is very good and usable including the windows which are slightly yellow, maybe need cleaned with cleaner??.

It will need some interior work because of it’s age but usable as it is dash pad is good. Will also need weatherstrip Arizona car dried out. As stated in the ad the body, rockers,floors, frame are perfect VERY hard to find one of these in this condition without having to weld in patch panels. Body has a few dings and small dents so it’s going to need minor body work, some interior work and maybe minor mechanical.

Yes it runs and drives but might need minor mechanical to be 100% road worthy see above.”

Noah - Now with more boost. > random001
07/19/2016 at 12:28

Sounds like he knows his stuff! Definitely a car guy and I’m not getting a sketchy vibe. I foresee a spit in your future lol...

random001 > Noah - Now with more boost.
07/19/2016 at 12:30

I was really hoping he would email back and tell me the engine was spewing coolant out the tailpipes and he was sure that the electrical system had been possessed by the devil. Now I have to go bargain with the wife...

Noah - Now with more boost. > random001
07/19/2016 at 13:14

Well I’m jealous of the wife... but not the bargaining haha. Hopefully she’s cool with it

RallyWrench > Noah - Now with more boost.
07/19/2016 at 13:49

A Spit coupe would do me just fine. But around here, Biturbo228 has enough Spitfires to cover several of us.

random001 > Noah - Now with more boost.
07/19/2016 at 13:57

I have a feeling I’m going to get the “When you finish grad school” talk, but we’ll see. As I see it, there’s a minimum of $1000 in good extra parts, maybe closer to $1500. If I were to sell those off, and get the price down, it could almost be free. That might help...

random001 > Noah - Now with more boost.
07/19/2016 at 15:16

Damn. Her only issue is “where would I keep it” with my two car garage.

Noah - Now with more boost. > random001
07/19/2016 at 15:18

Damn. No newer car that could live outside?

random001 > Noah - Now with more boost.
07/19/2016 at 18:57

Theoretically the R-Spec, but in the winter here that’s tough.

MM54 > Noah - Now with more boost.
07/19/2016 at 19:29

They are very cool, a coworker has one in great shape and it’s a very neat car. Simple and relatively easy to work on, too.

Noah - Now with more boost. > random001
07/19/2016 at 20:23

Damn she has a point then...

random001 > Noah - Now with more boost.
07/19/2016 at 20:54

Yeah. I’m working on it. I have an 8x8 ft “extension” on one side of my garage, which currently houses my tools, but if I can move some of them, and the Spitfire is a mere 4.8 ft wide, and 13 ft long, and the Crosstrek is 14.6 ft, then if my garage on that side is longer than 28 ft on that side they could conceivably park on the same side if I can move my tools out of the way. I’ll need to measure tomorrow. I’m trying so hard to make this work...

Noah - Now with more boost. > random001
07/20/2016 at 09:31

Yep spitfires are pretty tiny, sounds like you could totally make this work. In your situation though I’d measure and check that thing out ASAP, I feel like its so clean that anyone looking for one would buy that in an instant.

random001 > Noah - Now with more boost.
07/20/2016 at 10:28

Someone like you, perhaps?

Noah - Now with more boost. > random001
07/20/2016 at 11:08

Yep lol. If this was in my area it’d be gone