Triumph Spitfire Classic Cars - Spitfire Mark III Part 1

Triumph Spitfire Classic Cars - Spitfire Mark IIIPicture Of Triumph Spitfire Classic CarsThe Mark III, introduced in March 1967, was the first major facelift to the Spitfire. The front bumper was raised in response to new crash regulations, and although much of the bonnet pressing was carried over, the front end looked quite different. The rear lost the overriders from the bumper but gained reversing lights as standard (initially as two separate lights on either side of the number plate, latterly as a single light in a new unit above the number plate) the interior was improved again with a wood-veneer instrument surround. A folding hood replaced...

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Triumph Spitfire Classic Cars - Spitfire Mark II

Triumph Spitfire Classic Cars - Spitfire Mark IIPicture Of Triumph Spitfire Classic CarsIn March 1965 the Spitfire Mark II was released and was very similar to the Mark I but featured a more highly tuned engine, through a revised camshaft design, a water cooled intake manifold and tubular exhaust manifold, increasing the power to 67 bhp (50 kW) at 6000 rpm.This improved the top speed to 92 mph (148 km/h). The coil-spring design clutch of the Mark I was replaced with a Borg and Beck diaphragm spring clutch. The exterior trim was modified with a new grille and badges. The interior trim was improved with redesigned seats and by covering most of...

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Triumph Spitfire Classic Cars - Spitfire 4 or Mark I

Triumph Spitfire Classic Cars - Spitfire 4 or Mark IPicture Of Triumph Spitfire Classic CarsThe production car changed little from the prototype, although the full-width rear bumper was dropped in favour of two part-bumpers curving round each corner, with overriders. Mechanics were basically stock Herald components: The engine was a 4-cylinder of 1147 cc, mildly tuned for the Spitfire with twin SU carburettors. Also from the Herald came the rack and pinion steering and coil-and-wishbone front suspension up front, and at the rear a single transverse-leaf swing axle arrangement. This ended up being the most controversial part of the car: it was...

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Triumph Spitfire Classic Cars - Model

Triumph Spitfire Classic Cars - ModelPicture Of Triumph Spitfire Mark II Classic CarsModels Five separate Spitfire models were sold during the production runModel name Engine Year Number built Triumph Spitfire 4 (Mark I) 1147 cc inline 4 1962–1965 45,763 Triumph Spitfire Mark II 1147 cc inline 4 1965–1967 37,409 Triumph Spitfire Mark III 1296 cc inline 4 1967–1970 65,320 Triumph Spitfire Mark IV 1296 cc inline 4 1970–1974 70,021 Triumph Spitfire 1500 1493 cc inline 4 1974–1980 95,829Triumph Spitfire- A Brief History Part 1A Brief Overview Of Triumph Spitfire Classic C...

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The Origins Triumph Spitfire Cars

The Origins Triumph Spitfire CarsPicture Of Triumph Spitfire CarsThe Triumph Spitfire was originally devised by Standard-Triumph to compete in the small sports car market which had opened up with the introduction of the Austin-Healey Sprite. The Sprite had used the basic drive train of the Austin A30/35 in a light body to make up a budget sports car; Triumph's idea was to use the mechanics from their small saloon, the Triumph Herald, to underpin the new project. Triumph had one advantage, however; where the Austin A30 range was of unitary construction, the Herald featured a separate chassis; it was Triumph's intention therefore to cut that chassis...

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Triumph Spitfire Cars- A Brief History Part 2

Triumph Spitfire Cars - A Brief HistoryPicture Of triumph spitfire CarsIn 1965 the Mark II model was launched, and its engine now produced 67bhp due to a revised camshaft and four branch exhaust manifold. A diaphragm spring clutch was now also fitted. Exterior modifications on the Mk II included a redesigned front grill and emblems on the rear wings, whilst the interior benefited from improved seats, and carpets replaced the earlier models rubber matting. Further improvements were to come with the Mk III which arrived in 1967, the most obvious being styling changes which included a new design of raised front bumper to comply with USA regulations....

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Triumph Spitfire Cars - A Brief History Part 1

Triumph Spitfire Cars - A Brief HistoryPicture Of 1973 triumph spitfire CarsTriumph had not failed to notice the success of the Austin Healey Sprite, and wanted a small sports car of their own to capture a share of this market. The result was the Triumph Spitfire introduced in 1962. It was an eye-catching two-seater sports car based on a modified Triumph Herald chassis with most of its mechanical components also coming from the Herald. The renowned Italian designer Michelotti had been instrumental in styling the Spitfires sleek bodywork.Picture Of triumph spitfire 1500 CarsThe first Spitfire to go on sale was powered by the 1147cc Herald engine...

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