What came today (Spitfire 1500) | FerrariChat
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What came today (Spitfire 1500)

Discussion in 'British' started by SefacHotRodder, Apr 14, 2005.

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  1. SefacHotRodder

    SefacHotRodder F1 World Champ

    Dec 20, 2003
    11,158
    NJ
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    Chris
    #1 SefacHotRodder, Apr 14, 2005
    Background on the car: We had given the car to friends after we found out we were moving to the US. 5 years later (a few months ago) we decided to bring the remaining things we had in the UK over to our house here in the US. When we found out there would be room in the container that was bringing over things in storage, we decided to go for it and put the Spit in too. It had been in a garage for 5 years but it looks amazing for what its been through. I hadn't been run or cleaned. The stuff you see on the car now was on it 5 years ago. Just how we left it. So, after finding out the container was coming today, a few mates came over after school and we managed to get the car running (a new battery and $60 later). The brakes had seized however. We got them sort of loose and dad drove around the block a few times until we realized the brakes were smoking! We called it a day then. The rear brakes are still "semi - seized". This is what i will be working on next. More to come!


    This car is great. Sure, there may be some rust, but considering what its been through, it looks great. It does need a clean though.


    Pics: http://k5mcl.smugmug.com/gallery/483145
     
  2. Adrift

    Adrift Formula Junior

    Aug 30, 2004
    749
    Dallas area
    #2 Adrift, Apr 15, 2005
    That was my first car in high school! Was always requiring SOMETHING to be fixed, but I think it is a great car for a teen. It is light, fun, kinda quick, and small enough that you HAVE to pay attention to where you are going, and what traffic is doing if you don't want to become SUV road pizza.

    A kid is not going to learn how to drive well in a nothing-can-hurt-me SUV tank. I know a number of parents who take this "safety" route. You want a kid that pays attention and becomes a real driver? Give them something small, light, and slightly underpowered. THAT teaches you to be a safe driver. :)

    Gotta love those Lucas electronics! :D
     
  3. Miltonian

    Miltonian F1 Veteran

    Dec 11, 2002
    5,966
    Milton, Wash.
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    Jeff B.
    #3 Miltonian, Apr 15, 2005
    Ah, those were the days! I had a grey Vitesse convertible (VERY rare in the States). My friend Bruce had a blue first-year GT6 (1967?) (what a heap!). I had a customer with a really ratty white Spitfire. And the lady who became my wife many years later drove a Triumph 2000 Sedan. At least you could get parts for them, which was helpful, since they were always broken.
     
  4. rob

    rob F1 Rookie

    May 22, 2002
    4,284
    Vt
    #4 rob, Apr 16, 2005
    When I was a teenager my Dad had an Mg Midget that had the triumph 1500 engine in it I learned how to drive a stick on that car. A whole lot of fun! Lucas electronics, Stromberg carb. with antifreeze hoses running to it gotta love it!
     
  5. 348 Turbo

    348 Turbo Formula 3

    Jul 17, 2002
    1,837
    #5 348 Turbo, Apr 16, 2005
    yeah, I owned a triumph Spitfire years ago, (as a young man). Had a great time with it. Beware, you must staighten the frame as part of the nomal mx. Enjoy!
     
  6. GaryReed

    GaryReed F1 Rookie

    Feb 9, 2002
    3,127
    Seattle
    Full Name:
    Gary
    #6 GaryReed, Apr 16, 2005
    My very first sports car was a 1967 Spitfire, way... way back in 1975.

    Enjoy!!
     
  7. SefacHotRodder

    SefacHotRodder F1 World Champ

    Dec 20, 2003
    11,158
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    Chris
    #7 SefacHotRodder, Apr 16, 2005
    Good to hear some positive comments. The car is going into the shop this week and will be made road wothy. All mechanical stuff fixed. I'm then going to work on the body. I'll upload a bunch more photos tomorrow that i took today (140 in all). They show pretty much every detail and you'll see why it needs to be "refreshed"

    Yep, i'm going to have to learn how to drive stick to drive this car. My friend is going to teach me. My dad doesn't want to :D It'll be wierd though. RHD car = Different Shift pattern. It'll be worth it in the end though :)
     
  8. Dino Martini

    Dino Martini F1 Rookie

    Dec 21, 2004
    4,619
    Calgary Alberta
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    Martin
    #8 Dino Martini, Apr 17, 2005
    nice ! that looks like such an awsome car. :)
     
  9. SefacHotRodder

    SefacHotRodder F1 World Champ

    Dec 20, 2003
    11,158
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    Chris
    #9 SefacHotRodder, Apr 17, 2005
    Thanks


    All the new pics are up btw
     
  10. SefacHotRodder

    SefacHotRodder F1 World Champ

    Dec 20, 2003
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    Chris
    #10 SefacHotRodder, Apr 19, 2005
    Car was loaded onto a trailer today and taken to the shop to be made road worthy. Should be back next week. Then the fun begins :D

    Pics at e30evo.com
     
  11. Miltonian

    Miltonian F1 Veteran

    Dec 11, 2002
    5,966
    Milton, Wash.
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    Jeff B.
    #11 Miltonian, Apr 19, 2005
    Chris: Regarding post #6 - the shift pattern is the same on LHD and RHD cars. And if you are just learning how to drive a stick, you don't have to "unlearn" anything to shift gears with your left hand.

    You'll have a lot of fun with it, but be careful. A Spitfire is a VERY unsubstantial hunk of metal.
     
  12. SefacHotRodder

    SefacHotRodder F1 World Champ

    Dec 20, 2003
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    Chris
    #12 SefacHotRodder, Apr 20, 2005
    Yeah, i was refering to the fact that its RHD and so i'll be using my left hand instead of my right. And the gears start away from me, whereas in the US, the gears start closest to me.

    Thanks
     

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