1978 Triumph Spitfire - Miata Isn't Always The Answer?

"Bring Back Colorful Cars" (1raddak)
10/23/2020 at 15:11 • Filed to: spitfire, triumph, 1978, triumph spitfire, uk, british, roadster, convertible

1978 Spitfire 1500

(I hope no one minds me hopping into Oppo with this, but I typed this up in a comment on the COVID Project article and thought it might be interesting for others to actual read/see #greyed. Thanks!)

In July I finally decided to pull the trigger. My monthly Craigslist perusal presented something potentially too good to pass up. I’ve looked before, 100 times, and found 100 cars I wanted, but would this be the one that I would finally kick myself for passing up? Reader, we’ll never know, because it came home July 11th, a 1978 Triumph Spitfire with 86,000 miles.

So how’s it compare to a Miata? Well to anyone actually sane enough to be trusted with the $3,500, probably not well.

The Spit sure is nice to look at (only at camera focal length, but like an ornery Velociraptor or the coronavirus, please keep your distance), but oh boy there’s sacrifices!

It honestly maxes out of suitable RPM at 50mph (and completely runs out of push at 80, thanks 4 speed!), rowing around the aforementioned gearbox is liken to rattling around a stick in a box of rocks, not to mention Reverse requiring a magical incantation to present itself unto thee unworthy American swine. The windows rattle like they’re about to shatter when passing over a pebble in the road if you dare have them rolled up, the seatbelts have to be coaxed gently back into their housing after use (I’m sure that’s safe), and the seats are effectively held in place by the rider’s weight and the Earth’s gravity itself (I’m sure that’s safe). On second thought, the limited top speed is probably the most effective safety feature Triumph fitted. The steering; however, is phenomenal. I’ve ridden roller coasters that handled worse.

It’s also down on power (53hp new) over its distinguished European counterparts (71hp new) thanks to US emissions regs of the era, but that can be easily remedied by simply replacing just the entire exhaust system from headers to mufflers and sourcing a dual-carb unit! For what it is though, it does run great.

Choosing it versus an MX-5 came down to price (it was actually a few grand cheaper than anything else available at the time I decided to take the plunge) and complete, utter irrationale. This is by far the weirdest, “coolest” thing I’ve ever owned so even now it sometimes feels surreal to think it’s actually mine.

DISCUSSION (21)

Bring Back Colorful Cars > Bring Back Colorful Cars
10/26/2020 at 13:04

This also marks my first post over here on Oppo, thanks to Party-v i for the rights to share. I’ve got another post on driving/how to drive a 1926 Model T in the drafts. Thanks!

Cash Rewards > Bring Back Colorful Cars
10/27/2020 at 12:46

Well, I almost always frown on someone not getting a Miata, but this is one of the exceptions. Great pickup!

lone_liberal > Bring Back Colorful Cars
10/27/2020 at 12:46

Congratulations! It’s always nice to see someone sharing the never ending joy and pain of old car ownership! Any plans to do away with the bumpers?

Jb boin > Bring Back Colorful Cars
10/27/2020 at 12:50

Welcome to the jungle !

Miata might not always be the answer but b lue is !

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > Bring Back Colorful Cars
10/27/2020 at 12:51

Welcome to Oppo!

Honestly, versus a Miata, this is the better way to spend $3500. Miatas are toys. You can daily them, but they’re better suited as a not daily. And if you’re going to have a toy car, it should be as ridiculous, frivolous, and excessive as possible.

Looking forward to more Spitfire posts!

Bring Back Colorful Cars > Jb boin
10/27/2020 at 12:57

the bright blue and go faster stripe with the “Spitfire” decal really is what pushed me over the edge. I’ve eyed Spitfires before, but none with this much character

Bring Back Colorful Cars > lone_liberal
10/27/2020 at 13:01

I’ve looked into it, and apparently the bumpers are held into place with the bolt head within the bumper itself, which can be prone to spinning in the housing as opposed to loosening.. so I haven’t tested it out myself yet , but that is on the list!

Svend > Bring Back Colorful Cars
10/27/2020 at 13:43

Welcome to the madhouse.

A neighbours son had a Spitfire.

He loved it but he was too young and lacked knowledge, patience or want to fix any issues and sold it very quickly.

Apparently all it needed was the twin carbs synchronised according to his dad.

I liked it but for my size at the time, it was a little too compact.

Kinja'd!!!

Mark Tucker > Bring Back Colorful Cars
10/27/2020 at 14:50

Congratulations, and welcome to the wonderful world of British car ownership! As someone who sold a Miata to buy an MGB, I can say unequivocally that you made the right choice. Miatas are wonderful, but British iron is sublime. Anybody can keep a Japanese sports car running; it takes a special blend of gumption, steely-eyed determination, irrational optimism, and stubbornness to maintain an LBC. We are a breed apart.

Good choice with the Spit, too. I nearly bought a brown ‘78 many years ago, but I had no place to work on a project car at the time.

The first thing you have to do is get that damn Zenith-Stromberg carb out of there, along with the smog pump (if you live in a place where you’re allowed to do so). A twin SU setup is idea, but a Weber DGV will do the trick as well.

Also, you’ll want to get to know this site: https://mossmotors.com/

And don’t be afraid of the right-hand side of the tach. If there’s one thing these engines aren’t, it’s fragile. Don’t over -rev it, but do wind it out. Cruising at 70 MPH in top gear without overdrive may sound awful, but the engine doesn’t mind one bit. If you want a higher cruising gear, you can retrofit overdrive, or get one of the adapter kits to install a Toyota or Datsun 5 speed (but neither option is cheap).

Good luck, and I look forward to seeing more Spitfire posts!

CaptDale - is secretly British > Bring Back Colorful Cars
10/27/2020 at 14:54

This is far superior than a Miata. Show us more pics and deets!

MiniGTI - now with XJ6 > Bring Back Colorful Cars
10/27/2020 at 14:56

Excellent choice! I love my TR6 but especially for the amazing inline-6 music. It’s really just a survivor at 58k. I’ve done some work to it, but I think the best maintenance is to drive it enough to keep it from rotting but not too much to wear everything out.

Starts every time and never broken down.

Kinja'd!!!

Bring Back Colorful Cars > Svend
10/27/2020 at 16:24

I couldn’t imagine having and giving up such a gorgeous and well kept example, but these kinds of beasts certainly aren’t for everyone. As for myself, barring some catastrophe, I hope to have bought not just some old roadster , but a forever car.

Thanks for sharing!

Bring Back Colorful Cars > MiniGTI - now with XJ6
10/27/2020 at 16:25

Those two makes quite a handsome pair ! I’m especially fond of the red pinstripe wheels on the TR6. Thanks for sharing!

Svend > Bring Back Colorful Cars
10/27/2020 at 16:30

It’s the nature of the beast, they are old cars and need patience, love and attention and as you say, aren’t for everyone.

I do love cars of that period, the style and elegance, they have a look to them that says, 'come on, let's go for a drive!'.

Bring Back Colorful Cars > CaptDale - is secretly British
10/27/2020 at 17:18

I’ll share a few more interesting ones to you specifically since you asked (I just moved these over to a computer from my phone, so if anyone sees this as wonders why I didn’t include them originally.. My a pologies!)

Kinja'd!!!

Bring Back Colorful Cars > Mark Tucker
10/27/2020 at 17:34

It’s actually got a Mikuni carb, which I’ll admit took some research to find the provenance of.. Their website returns mostly power sports applications, atvs, bikes, etc so I’m not sure where the previous owner got the idea for it, but the rest of his workmanship seems respectable otherwise; it has an air suspension in the rear as apparently the original springs had begun to sag on the driver’s side.

My intention and dream now is t o keep it around till I kick the bucket, so those 5 speed conversions might just happen someday! Thanks for sharing!

Mark Tucker > Bring Back Colorful Cars
10/27/2020 at 18:10

Interesting. I’ve seen a twin Mikuni setup on a Midget 1500 (same engine) before, but never a single. I guess if it ain’t broke...

superdave847 > Bring Back Colorful Cars
10/27/2020 at 19:56

Beautiful car! Congratulations!

MiniGTI - now with XJ6 > Bring Back Colorful Cars
10/27/2020 at 21:29

Those are actually the “correct” redline tires as originally equipped . Which of course you can only get from specialty venders nowadays. Somewhat expensive and not great tires. But they look good when parked!

CaptDale - is secretly British > Bring Back Colorful Cars
10/28/2020 at 19:59

Oh god that is perfect. I love it and the color. Just stunning

Stef Schrader > Bring Back Colorful Cars
10/31/2020 at 01:56

Hell yeah, and no, no one minds at all. These cars rule and frankly, they’re more interesting than yet another Miata. Enjoy it!