1978 Triumph Spitfire

Finished in Inca Yellow with a black vinyl interior, this 1978 Triumph Spitfire is fitted with the 1493cc engine and four-speed manual gearbox. With just three previous recorded keepers and 64,700 miles on the odometer, it comes with a good service history file.

‘SHC 741S’ has been in the seller’s hands since April 2021 after he bought it as a birthday present to himself. He tells us he’s enjoyed the past two and a half years but as his job keeps him much busier in the summer than the winter, he just hasn’t been able to use it as much as he hoped.

Being sold with no reserve, this charming little sportscar would make an ideal winter project for someone ahead of summer next year.

The bright yellow bodywork is cheery and presents well from a distance. Sure, it doesn’t hold up quite as well to close scrutiny but it looks smart enough to pass muster initially.

The roof opens and closes as it should and is in good shape with no rips, tears or other damage. It fits pretty well, too but the rear plastic screen has gone milky and opaque with age.

What chromework there is is in a pretty good condition, as are the light lenses, windscreen and side windows.

The 13-inch steel wheels are in a decent condition and are fitted with a matching set of 155/80R13 Firestone F590 tyres. These have good tread but their date code is 2012 and we do see some age-related perishing, so they could really do with being replaced.

As for other flaws, it is getting a bit crusty around the wheelarches, the bonnet/front wings, the sills, the front valance, the base of the windscreen pillars, and the back panel. There’s a little rust on the rear bumper too, and the front rubber overriders have seen better days.

Still, what else did you have planned for this winter?

The wood-rimmed Moto-Lita steering wheels looks terrific and feels just as good in the hand. A classic British steering wheel, it looks perfectly at home in the Spitfire’s cockpit, not least because it plays a supporting role to the wooden veneer dashboard that contains a suite of Smiths instruments.

The design of the black bucket seats ensures they are as supportive as they are comfortable. The seller is 6’ 2”, and fits in easily too, something the seats’ slimline nature helps. As for their condition, while the edges of the headrests and seats show some wear, the rest is very good. 

There’s a modern but retro-looking Caliber 4x75W headunit fitted along with some Pioneer speakers.

The boot contains some spare parts and tools.

The hood frame could do with freshening up really but the rest of the cabin is smart enough to be put on the backburner for a while as it shows nothing other than age-appropriate wear. 

As you can see, it starts and runs well, albeit with a high tickover. The seller’s job keeps him busy in the summer, so he hasn’t been able to use it much. He says it normally idles at about 1,000rpm, so it may just be sticking somewhere or need tuning.

A new battery has been fitted.

The engine bay is a little scruffy but access is wonderful, so detailing it to your preferred standard would be more straightforward than it would be on most other cars.

The underside and suspension components show the usual surface corrosion common to a lot of cars that have been through a salt-laden winter or three. It would be easier to replace some bits like the dampers but others should clean up nicely with a wire brush. 

The Triumph comes with a folder of old receipts, a workshop manual, a parts catalogue, a clear and recent Vehicle History Check, and some expired MoT certificates and tax discs.

The Spitfire doesn’t have a current MoT certificate, and while it is exempt by virtue of its age, we would strongly encourage the new owner to have it MoT’d at the earliest opportunity. The cost of an MoT is a small investment when offset against the purchase and upkeep of any classic vehicle, and it gives an independent, third-party assessment of the car’s condition, which not only provides reassurance to the owner (and any subsequent purchasers) but might also be invaluable in the event of a bump when negotiating with the police and any interested insurance companies… 

There’s a reason the Triumph Spitfire has been a staple of the classic car world for a very long time: Cheap to buy and repair, it’s a simple little sportscar and one that would be ideal for someone to cut their teeth on who’s new to the classic car scene.

Especially if you’re keen to learn or polish up your welding and painting skills – and you’ll be adding value with every job you tick off the list.

The need for some TLC is reflected in our guide price of between £6,000 and £8,000 but, even better, the seller has enough faith in you all to offer it with no reserve, so it will sell from the very first bid.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located with the vendor in Pickering, North Yorkshire. Viewings are strictly by appointment. To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.