The Aviator and the Spitfire - One Owner 1969 Triumph Spitfire 

Brings back great memories! I bought a 69 Spitfire in 1970 when I was 19. Wore it out in about 4 years, driving in snow, through the woods on fire roads, always having fun. What a great car! Now I have a 2001 Miata - same kind of fun! I admire this lady for her devotion to her baby.

I look at this picture and I can say. I had some of it. I had a 1970 Spitfire in Maple brown, and even though I didn't get the airplane, I was still able to become an aircraft mechanic. At the age of 74 I can look back and say, I'm glad I didn't wait. Wait for anything in life. I indulged my self, and I still am. And some days when I have nothing better to do, I look at something like this picture and I smile.

Bought my Spitfire new for my 21st birthday. 1970 maple brown with a biscuit cockpit (I love how Brits speak about autos.) I was in the Air Force stationed in California what more could a young man ask for..I love the ladies I surely do....and they loved this car. I also had a Triumph Tiger. And my love of airplane? Imagine being five years old. You and your younger brother are playing outside, when the concussion of a radial sixteen assaults your ears. You look up and there in the sky is a formation of fighter planes flying over your house, going from Selfridge air base to Willow Run. They flew so low. Their canopies open, and two dumb little boys are waving and shouting like they could hear us. The wing, it wobbled, it did more than wobble , it banked over and a hand shot out of the canopy. This was 1955. This took place every week. Looking back, I've wondered if those pilots were looking for us. Ya they were. Like old time bikers they do like to profile. Triumph spitfires good memories. Thank you.

Lovely story and a lovely woman.

What a marvelous woman - nice car and aircraft. Back in the day I owned a yellow Mark IV with twin black racing stripes, Great car to drive to the beach.

Very cool. I especially loved the video because I have a 1976 Triumph Spitfire in the same color, also my first car. I bought it used in 1979 and I am only the second owner. Bravo to Ms. Orr that she still drives and enjoys her baby.

It’s better to have had a spitfire than to have never had one at all. Even better to have had one in 1967. Even better to still have it.

Wonderful story. Thank you. The car and the airplane push my buttons. My late dad was an avid pilot most of his adult life and I was an avid passenger/navigator throughout my childhood. Much of our flying was in his Skyhawk followed by his V-tail Bonanza. He later moved on to Barons, but I've stayed with Cessnas. I have owned my '65 MGB for 45 years since I bought it from my grandfather. First saw the brand-new car the summer my uncle took delivery of it when I was 12. The car has been part of my life since.

What a great story. My sister bought a new 1967 Mk3 from San Bruno Motors and when I turned 16, I bought it from her in 1976. I did a complete frame-off restoration between 2000-2003. Dorothy's parents were wise to insist on the roll bar. I think it's fantastic that she's still driving on the original motor! The gearbox and u-joints are the notorious weak link on these cars from this round tail era. Bravo, Dorothy, from another California Mk3 aficionado!

Driving and maintaining a survivor in it's current state, like this Spit, draws more glances of appreciation for both car and driver than an all dolled up restoration in my eyes. Seeing it can take one back to when these were common place on college campuses as daily drivers. Not showroom fresh, but a somewhat worn refection of a time when we were young and felt more free to explore the world on our terms...

rare to see a true original owner car like that.

What a beautiful story and video. Thanks Moss!

Driving 100 mph in a Porsche feels like you're only doing 50. Driving 50 mph in a classic mid sixties LBC feels like your going 100.

Very nice..

Dorothy probably bought her beautiful car at Boulevard Buick (they sold a variety of British makes back in the 60s) in Long Beach - the very same store that sold my 1969 Jaguar E-Type to its original owner, a Professor at CalTech. Such a small world and so glad to see these original cars still on the road (I drive mine weekly). Happy travels Dorothy!

The early Spitfire looks good from all angles, not all cars do.

Nice Spitfire!

Lovely car, story and video. For me the car is like a work of art, such lovely lines. Simplicity of mechanicals, easy to work on. Today you wouldn’t get this at all, it would be a cotton wool experience of you sat in a box with hidden electronics and batteries. I have to say the lines of this car really are stunning. The MK2 is just a tad nicer looking with the original location of the front bumper. Just my opinion though.

Won't trade mine for a merc.