ABANDONED 1977 TRIUMPH SPITFIRE 1500 PROJECT - Off The Road Since 1995! Will it drive??! 

Hope you liked this video, feel like I didn't get my hands anywhere near as dirty as I should of! If you want to have a look at any stuff I do behind the scenes look up tasty classics on Instagram or Facebook, I'm always posting updates and stories on there 👍

The mysterious “Foz” is my hubby ….he’s very proud of the welding work he has done on the spitfire and has one of his own.

Looks a nice solid car, I’ve restored loads of these, the bonnets can be a right faff to align especially if the tub has been off, a hinge box has been replaced or if it’s had a front end nudge in the past. The 1500 should have a chin spoiler under the front bumper, it improves the look of the car…. and for the blower to work, pull out the heater slider. Nice easy project though Ben, it looks like most of the hard work (welding) has been done. Looking forward to watching this.

I had one of these. They are a good little car. Mine had overdrive which made it good for the motorway. I did tune it put wide wheels on it and Koni shocks. I did a lot of mileage in it

I just love Triumphs, Michelotti had great style. Spent many happy times in a Vitesse convertible, its six pot was gorgeous. The TRs from 3 to 6 are fab motors and the Stag has an engine sound that melts your heart and you can fit four people in. The big saloons and the Dolly Sprint are fantastic too. This Spit is worthy of some attention, spares should be easy to find and there are good online resources for the marque. Looking forward to seeing the progress!

You remind me of Tommy Cooper. Superbly entertaining.

I had a 1966 Mk2 Spitfire early 70's, cost me £230. An absolute hoot to drive, even at about 8 years old it was in need of new sills. Mine had a removable hard top, no hood, I could get one mate behind the seats so I could carry three of us. Sadly I was a lazy git with my maintenance, oil changes and the like, although I did adjust the tappets and balance the carbs, dead easy with the bonnet up while sat on the offside wheel. You might find the diff is knackered, common enough back in the day, but Herald bits were used in the running gear so plenty were in the scrapyards, easy to source bits. Unfortunately I blew it up on the A1 going up to Newcastle while demonstrating to my mate how it could just hit 100mph with the rev counter nudging the red, backed off and a conrod came through the side of the little 1200 engine. I was towed in and couldn't afford the £150 to buy a short motor and pay the labour to fix it. A young lad working in the garage offered me £150 for the remains, needless to say, we had a very drunken weekend in Newcastle before getting the train home. I missed my little Spit, This 1500, seems like a great little motor, looking forward to the next update. 😊😊

You picked a winner there, I'm going to love this restoration, takes me back to the 80's and having a slightly older Spitfire. Not the fastest but boy, what bloody good fun. Great find.

Have decided to do a binge watch on the Spitfire series, so far so good. My old PE teacher had a hardtop version of a Mk 2, he took 4 of us to a 5 a side football tournament, my claim to fame was decking Lawrie Macmenemy's son. We were 14 at the time, the two biggest boys sat on the passenger seat and the 2 smallest boys were wedged behind the seats, our other teacher had a 1960's VW beetle and he had 6 boys in his car. Ah the good old days, before seat belts became legal and no one bothered about overloading cars with loads of kids. 🤣😂👍

Hi mate. Clicked like before watching as usual! This one was especially interesting to me as I had one! The year was 1975, I was an acne festooned 17yr old apprentice. My Spitfire was a red, 1965 MK1, with a massive 1147cc engine. I still remember the reg number - BVR 789C. I bought it from a mate?! for the princely sum of fifty quid. Had a massive shock when I came to insure it; they wanted two hundred quid a year! I seem to remember that I was earning about thirty quid a week! Excellent videos Sir, I look forward to every one.

Back in the 70s the go to rust treatment was Ziebart. Had my new Renault 5 done in late 74. By 76 it was rusty! Never worked out if it was the Ziebart that didn’t work or that Renault 5s left the factory rusty. I suspect the latter!!!! Nice little car that. If I remember right the bad spots were a weak differential, rust in the chassis out riggers and too much end float on the crankshaft. But that one looks good. Be great to see it painted.

It's a nice car, good for a thrash up and around those little country lanes.

I liked seeing the smile on your face when you first thought what's that noise to a smile you dropped lucky again another nice car with a nice sounding motor great to see all of these great old cars still around it bring's back some great memories as I owned a spitfire I loved driving it around it was a good head turner and going to the sea side great fun.

😂 the moment when you climbed into that thing was hilarious! Congratulations for this find even though it doesn't have a stereo😊This car was looked after and this engine looks adorable ❤ (The sticker has arrived 🎉 thank you, Ben!)

Very entertaining as usual! Really good basis for a super little car, can't wait to see the end result! Well done Ben nice find.🚙

Looks like it still gets up and goes well, lovely sound of twin S,U carbs singing, even with a little 1.500 well theres little weight is there, it was popular to put a v8 in them

As I understand it, the tonneau is the "tub" in which the driver and passenger sit. The Tonneau cover covers all, or one side of it. I used to drive my MGA with the passenger side covered with the tonneau cover.

We had an early MK3 (J reg, 1970) as our first car on the road, that was back in 1979 found it very reliable quick and economical only 1300cc, always regretted selling that one. Got through another 36 cars on the road before emigrating to Australia in 1996 we changed them so often I had a motor traders insurance policy as a cover note wouldn’t come through before we were onto the next one😅. Spitfires are rare here but would love to find one for a reasonable price

Loved the Video m8!! I’ll definitely be keeping a close eye on this rebuild. Loved the chill pace of the video and the sheer genuine feeling you give. I have plans on hopefully getting a triumph sometime this year to do a rebuild myself😊. Keep these videos coming👍👍

Would love one of these..small peppy runbout for my local pottering and work commuting down quiet roads :)

As someone who is 6'4" i've always wondered if i could fit in one of these.

I shall watch your endeavours with interest as I'd love to be in your shoes right now - fantastic project which with luck will give you immense pleasure to get back on the road again, good luck

I have a MKIV Spitfire so will be watching this with interest. They're fun little classics for not a lot of money. Great spares availability too. That looks a really good project. Pretty solid and the engine sounds good. Perhaps adjust the tappets but the oil pressure seems good so the bottom end should be ok. It's the same lump as the MG Midget. Doors rattling coz no door rubbers fitted. Exhaust should have two rubber straps so that's only a couple of quid and those bits of trim go at the bottom of the wood dash. Tahiti blue is a great colour too! 😎

Excellent video :) I’ve got my late mums old Mk3 Spitfire that I learnt to drive in back in the early 80’s. I started to restore it in the early 90’s; but unfortunately the restoration has stalled; I’m disabled and I’m no longer physically able to do the work. One day (if I ever get any money) I’d love to get mine back on the road :)

Im doing a 1978 spitfire at the moment , im no expert on them but looking at where the ignition and steering column surround that looks like a mk4 unless the early 1500s had the same as the mk4 . Looks like a solid start for a resto

Might have struck lucky! My only concern would be the engine. Sounds ok,but wasn’t it the 1500 Triumph engine that used to suffer “crank float” due to failed thrust bearings ? Got to love a Spitfire though. Pretty little cars. And easier to find parts for than a Panhard! Love the videos btw!

For your list ......Bell Bottom Flared check pants, fly away collared shirt in light blue and a brown tie + brogues !! Flat cap and a pipe or a 5 pack of Hamlets ! (Golf Club or Clubs if they fit )

Almost finished a rolling restoration of a 1980 Inca yellow spit my first one had some great fun days out and mind boggling days and nights in my garage just the gaps to do 😢so looking forward to your next videos 👍great channel BTW

This is what real true car repairs is about we have all been there. Love the show.

Always fancied one of those. An Alfa 916 GTV & a Morris minor,is the nearest thing ive owned, which admittedly isn't anything like a spitfire

I like all the goodies with the car brilliant video

Hi, great project! Bonnet settings are behind the black overriders. you need to remove them + the grille. From what I see underneath, i do believe there is no overdrive at the back of your gearbox. it's a std box. Clonking noises can be from transmission UJs. Spitfires are prone to this. Differential planet gear thrust washers are made of celeron fibre on these late models and tend to destroy themselves, causing excessive play and clonks. Weak spots on these models are the front vertical link bottom pivoting "screw" holding the brass trunnion (I'm not talking about the wishbone mounting bolt): if the trunnions have not been regularly lubricated, the "screw" will badly rust and will progressively crack inside at the top and can break without any warning! Fortunately this often happens at parking speed.. So better to check out this for safety! 😉 Other weak spot are the rear wheel bearings: Very often there is no grease nipple on the bearing housing , only a plug.. so the bearings are not seeing a grease gun very often..😟 there are two bearings on the housing: a ball bearing and a needle bearing, If the latter fails it will ruin the shaft too as its needles run straight on the shaft surface. Last weak spot is the engine : put only 20W50 oil in it and be sure to check crankshaft endfloat at the pulley : 8 thou max is ok but if you find about 0,2" it means at least one crank thrust washer is down in the sump and in bad case this could possibly damage crank and/or block..😟 And the manual? it is available there, free (but in french🥵): spitfire 1500 dash manuel de réparations (Fichier dash PDF dot fr) Good luck!👍

Great video. I don normally watch anything that is close to one hour long, but you had me hooked with the way you make the video and discuss the subject. The car looks good and the prop shaft and drive shaft UJ's probably need grease as doe the front suspension. I agree with you about the front brakes need freeing up with the pads out and all will be fine. Some waxoyl and bodywork alignment and paint and it will be a great car. Some spitfires had overdrive or maybe those wires are for the reversing light switch. All in all it has good potential to be top class again. There is another channel where Erin works on Triumph front bonnet and valance alignment by shimming the mountings. You will find that at "Erin Yakov's Rusty Beauties" channel. "1966 Triumph GT6 - Part 49 - Adjusting The Bonnet Gaps"

Sweet motor, I fixed up a Midget the same age as this for my father in law, much blood, sweat and tears, but object achieved while he still had the ability to be driven in it, he passed away not long after it was back on the road. Always wanted to compare it with a Spitty as more of a Triumph fan than MG, great cars to work on though, nice and simple. Look forward to seeing it finished.

Tahiti Blue :-) That's going to be a good little motor. I'll be following this one, and if it comes out well I might be interested!

Lovely design. Michelotti really had that knack of making his Triumphs look British, but in a really stylish Italian sort of way!

Hi As soon as I heard you bought a Spitfire.. I got interested.. Had three Spitfires in my early years.. I can remember my first one it was BRA 345L 1300 I never gave a great amount around £300. My very first car was a Triumph Herald 13/60 a 1968 Old English white I paid £150. My early cars were ford and Triumph. The second Spitfire was 1500 and a 1977 I just can't get the right registration it had 77 in the number plate My third spitfire was a rebuild job on 4 wheels with engine in place and needing the brakes putting on. 1978 I gave £500 for that. Preference Complete restoration on paintwork. If only I kept my house my garage would have worked well.. But I had a few other cars around me and my mortgage was in its early years with me having health issues regular.. Great video

My first car, as a 17 year-old, was a '76 Tahiti Blue Spitty!

Definitely one of my favourite channel's right now i love the Content the way you explain things and do the work is brilliant keeping them coming mate

It's here!!! Right.... Where's my beer...

I like the 'Tommy Cooper Style' reveal of the box contents!

Love this! Toyed with the idea of getting one for years. Either that or an MGB roadster. The thought of potentially doing a hip getting in and out puts me off a little 😊

Great video mate,when it comes to these cars and I've had two of them,as long as the floor plan and frame is in good shape the rest is really straight forward

A 70mph single carriageway! That’s a rare find in the UK 😂

Great Video, definitely worth saving, a blow over respray or a different colour, red or racing green.

The Tonneau was the rear seating area of early cars, so the Tonneau cover went over that.

Beatiful little car! Hopefully you get It much nicer. I would love to see more of it. Very funny videos too. Greetings from Argentina.

Even before I watch your videos you get a thumbs up because, they're so good.

I’m sure the 1500 has overdrive it could be on an independent switch The pans effect the running of the car ,it’s designed to run with cold intake Brilliant episode thank you ,..memories

Great video mate. I’ll probably binge watch this for sure! On the subject of your tonneau. If it fails, you’ll get a tonne o’water in your footwells. 😎

I had a 1973 model back in '75. It was the same colour, not very fast but great fun.

i think you have sweet little motor she will make a good restoration lovely find mate

I love it. Seems very healthy all round

Back in the day I used to sit on the wheel to play with the engine nice and easy the one I had it had a overdrive best thing ever on them little cars.

waiting for the final project =)

They are great fun, so low down even slow feels quick.

take a quick peek at the differential pinion bearing. basically just move the driveshaft at the pinion around briskly, the pinion could be on the way out. check the differential mounting rubbers and bolts. check the driveshaft U joints and axle joints, i don't think its a big problem. make sure there is oil in the diff they leak all the time.

I had this model, it was great fun, and damn reliable.

Had m1 1300 and a harvest yellow mk4 1500 good cars for a laugh easy to work on

I was watching this one online. Looks lime youve scored a good un. The blower switch is incorperted into the LH heater slider you pull it for 1st then 2nd speed and push to switch off.

That z shaped bit is the parcel shelf trim ! Regards Sandy 🔧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Suspect the switch your fiddled with near the beginning of the video and said there were some big wires on it may be for Turing overdrive on. Your gearbox looks like it has overdrive and from memory I’m sure it should disengage in lower gears say first and second. It could be some rewiring means it can be turned on in all gears. This could be the source of the noises you mentioned. Interested to follow progress, might even motivate me to tinker with my herald.

With the Bedford Rascal, the Mini, the Daihatsu and now the Spitfire, one has to ask, are you collecting cars that can fit in the bed of your pick up truck ? asking for a friend. Loving the channel by the way, keep up the excellent content.

Great video. I have a 1975 spitfire. Interesting fact in 1975 petrol was 78p per gallon 😂 so in 1975 when my car was new with an 8.5 gallon tank it would cost approx £6.60 to fill it 😮 Vs today's price of £54.70

Do it up you will love it great fun to be had.

Excellent video and you can't get better than 70's Leyland cars!

As something of a big unit, I developed a "sidesaddle" method for getting in to lowered MX5s. Sit down with your legs out then spin round. Like a queen on a horse 😂

I will be fallowing along with this project since I am planning on getting a Triumph Spitfire to restore but It will be a driving restoration. Little done at a time while keeping it on the road.

Top choice Ben, not only a Spitfire but a working one, always loved these little cars. Another great video,looking forward to the next video, keep it up mate.

looks like it shares the same front lights and indicators as the MGB, Thanks for the little trip! I wonder if the rear prop bearings are failing, hence the knocking noise. Also the wiper system looks like a land rover setup too.

You are missing the center dash brace which explains the banging when you go over bumps in the road.

That looks to be an absolute winner mate , great find .

That spitfire will look awesome with ultra lights and a paint job

Looking nice, even as she is - will look amazing after paint - the rest you can do with your eyes closed! Looking forward to the next instalment! JCHK

Glad you only crushed the microphone getting in! Another great little project.

Tonneau covers are used in coupé utility cars and pickup trucks to cover and secure the cargo

Really nice that Ben. I think it deserves to be restored

Great little car, would love to see it painted 👍

The bendy bits are bottom trim for dash board

Looking forward to the journey of the little spit fire . Great find 👏.

These looked great in Pageant Blue....👍👍

Just taken delivery of a 1972 Mk IV. We'll go on this journey together...

Loved this video. Hate to tell you but a derestricted single carriage way is 60mph not 70! Ha ha but glad it would do that easily😉

The mechanics best friend, duct tape! An expat watching in Florida.

Check the trunnions and vertical link should be oiled not greased had two vertical links snap on me wheels disappeared up in bonnet and you land on the floor. Loving the content

Looks a solid little car would be good to see it painted one colour nice sporty exhaust

Good work Ben mate

I was waiting for you to get into it and it didn’t disappoint 😂

great vid not sure the wires on gear box are reversing pretty sure a late spit had overdrive which was engaged by lever by steering wheel or more likely a little switch on gear knob which might be why different knob on gear stick you brakes you did say peddle not returning might be staying slightly on not sure if the had a return spring on peddle def change master these old cars dont like running with choke on once at temp the best wheels i have seen on these are super slots a lot of parts are the same as my mg midget 1500 looking forward to vids it is a good base to start spray it up nice it will be usable for you and next owner lots of fun worth more now we seem to be having guaranteed sun in summer watch the fuel now it has ethanol in it there are lots of vids how to take it out or it will rust your car anyway hope you have fun doing it i like how you make out you dont know what your doing but you do 😉

Brilliant project

Tasty Classics If your interested I know where 1 of these has been left to rot away to nothing From NEW in Stirling Scotland . Bodies a sweep up job But i've only saw it on the road a 3/4 times on the road when in its First Month of life, been under a hap ever since , incidentally that's rotted away as well but i think the running gear should be pretty sound , i assume the engine will be seized but plugs out WD 40 down the plug holes might free it up. it's sitting between St, Ninians roundabout and LAST BUNGALOW on left hand side of road next to Fast Food/Car Wash business , just Before Bannockburn High School same side of road IF I MIND CORRECTLY I THINK IT WAS A 1966.

I like that Vauxhall cav u had

Bugger. I was using ordinary oil in my MX5. That'll be why the roof didn't work.

I had the triamph hereld 1200 cc which I loved that car reg CRS131C, just rusty

The biggest problem with these is the wiring, and the empty gearbox, and dried out u-joints, ball joints, and dried up rearend. Be sure every moving part is fully lubed, and gear oil added as needed before putting it under it's own power and driving it. I can give you a tip if your tall, and your head is rubbing the roof.. put a classic folding boat seat on the floor where the original driver seat was. Be honest lad, would you choose this over a golf cart? Me too

Great video again nice condition for a spitfire, and very entertaining ,look forward to the next one

Nice looking project 😊

Great project Ben a good car to save for the next owner

Your penchant for pain is bubbling up again Ben lad this should be a good one plus what about an alfa MiTo for the tower of power love your videos pal

Tahiti Blue is a nice late 70s BL colour, good choice to stick with it. It really bugs me seeing the 60s Triumph badge stuck on steering wheels and gearknobs on 70s Spitfires Stags and TRs !