It’s real but it’s more of a ply wood type paneling and the front is a nice finish. On this one it’s the same original dash but there is a final or some sort of artificial adhesive glued on I believe
Nice to see a young guy enjoying a Spitfire, we need younger people to keep these cars going when oldies like me can't get into them any more 😁. Just a couple of observations, that dash is all wood, it's plywood with a real wood veneer on it. Be careful not to overtighten those front wheel bearings, they're meant to have a small amount of play in them, and in fact they'll seize up on you if there is no play. HS4 carbs should give it better performance when you get around to changing them. Personally I wouldn't bother with the side panels alongside the engine, some say they help cooling but they do restrict engine access so I've taken mine off. Enjoy your car, it looks like a nice example 👍
they're such fun cars, its sad that more people aren't into them! I thought the veneer on mine was not real wood, but the dash itself is real wood behind it, the dash was redone at some point so I'm not sure what type of veneer they used. oh wow, good to know, I set. mine pretty tight and just backed off a bit, ill inspect them and see if there is enough play. I'm excited for the HS4s, ill make sure to set them up properly so that I don't have the fuel boiling issue I'm having now, and I might just leave the side panels off, I paid for the shiny header, so I want to see it haha
You’ve got a pretty good Spit here. Love the carb mods and the wheels. The longer you keep it the cheaper the car costs to own. I’ve had a GT6+ for 47 years. No troubles. I’d love to build a Spit6. I have the parts but not the car.
By the way, I really appreciate the fact that you are enjoying this car for what it is. Old British sports cars aren't terribly fast, nor are they all that reliable, but they offer a driving experience that can't be replicated by modern cars. Some just can't help but compare old cars with those of today. I tend to think that they're missing out on a lot in the process. Today's cars might offer incredible levels of safety and performance, but much of the interaction between the car and the driver has been lost as a result.
I had a 1500 overdrive - overdrive was good for motorways, with a removable hard top, I enjoyed it, but I had several differentials and fuel around the carbs got too hot in summer traffic, and rust was forever trying to gain a foothold, it's a good car if you have the time, skills and patience for it. I now have a Mk 1 MX-5, which I prefer.
The twin SU carbs + chrome air filters setup looks very cool 😎 And I like the matt black paint on the rear panel plus the quad tailpipes - just like a mini Stag which is my dream car (Edit: you mean dream nightmare😂) Great to see these relics getting so much love 💕
The Black Back Panel is GENUINE ORIGINAL. Factory Spec. Genuine UK Spec. Almost All Triumph Cars Had a Black Rear Panel between the Lights & Reg Plate Area. in that Era. A TRADE MARK / LOGO thing. Or Maybe they Ran out of Paint in the Factory & matt Black was a Cheaper option ??? LOL. Maybe the SPRAY GUN was EMPTY When they got to the Rear of the car. When they Ran out of Steel for car Roofs, They Sold them as SOFT Tops. When BRITISH LEYLAND ran out of Cars they said CATCH a BUS. or walk. LOL.
I had my first one in NW Arkansas, They are tons of fun on hilly curvy roads, They handle like a dream... and while it get's cold in that part of Arkansas, they don't put salt on the roads so i drove mine year round and loved it! I put a header and a weber carburetor kit on mine and it would smoke my mothers which was stock. I have a few of these now, 5? and 4 TR3's with a range of different years from 58 to 81. My 81 has a stroker engine in it.. & overdrive (original engine rebuilt stroker) It sounds Amazing!.. but I haven't driven it much yet. I am in the process of putting a weber on it, will be done with that this week and start the fun... though later i will do a bumper swap, and paint. I live in Florida now, and am really looking forward to enjoying this car as I have my others. I am about 6' tall maybe slightly more.
Cool to see someone else my age driving these :) I had a green 77 1500 non overdrive for a while and as fun as it was, I never really used it that much, it just didn't feel capable of normal driving really, and absolutely wouldn't use it on the highway, with how short the gearing is I've got two new 1500s now, a 74 and an 80, both with Overdrive, and mannn, it makes such a difference Having overdrive makes these so much more usable in daily traffic it feels like You can go on the highway, you can keep up with traffic easier, it's way nicer around town, and it's like, psychological, but just having that overdrive makes me use them way more then the non-overdrive 1500. Without it every trip felt like it was a chore for the car and big hard work and shouldn't be done often. While with overdrive, it just feels like the car has no problem going out or going on long trips, and it just makes me use it more daily The best part about the overdrive is that they aren't a normal overdrive system, rather than just an extra gear like having a 5 speed, these are ELECTRIC overdrive The best bit about electric overdrive is that you can change in and out of it live - you don't have to push in the clutch or lift the throttle or move the gearstick, it's an instant gearchange like a DSG haha and since you can use it in 3rd and 4th gear, it's like having a 6 speed manual! The benefit of overdrive isn't just that you get lower rpm while crusing, it's that you get two extra magic gears you can instantly change between without clutching in It makes driving the around town so nice too, since you can just be in 3rd the whole time, just going in and out of overdrive instead of changing gear It's great fun too for driving fast since you can engage/disengage overdrive at full throttle, so you are putting power down the while time while when changing gear you get a bit of down time in acceleration while the clutch is down etc And the electric overdrive units are super strong! The D type Overdrive's are a bit more delicate I've heard, but the J type overdrives the 1500s have, they are bulletproof :) The only times they go wrong is from misuse from the owner a lot of owners push the clutch in while switching overdrive on and off, treating it like a regular gear, which isn't great for them since the output shaft from the gearbox/input shaft of the overdrive is what spins the overdrives pump, and it'll go into freewheel and spin down when the clutch is pushed and overdrive is engaging.. It can make them slip a bit since they don't get as much hydraulic pressure since their pump isn't spinning as much But the real killer is using these in reverse gear. Normally these have an inhibitor switch disabling its use in first, second, or reverse, but these often break or get disabled by owners who want an 8 speed gearbox... and then accidentally leave it engaged when reversing These units cannot be spun backwards while engaged - they have a one way clutch bearing to nornally prevent freewheel in overdrive. Reversing with this engaged forces it to turn the wrong way destroying it. These also have a helical sun gear which when turning the other direction will push up against the unidirectional clutch too, crushing it at the same time as it tears itself apart. . If you can absolutely upgrade to electric overdrive! Just make sure you treat it right ..! And it'll serve you well for many years :)
thats awesome, thanks for all that info, I didn't really know much about the overdrive systems as I haven't been able to source one locally but its on my list of must have upgrades. I really appreciate this because I would have definitely pressed in the clutch to engage overdrive had I not known, but now I really want an overdrive even more haha. hopefully over the winter I can get my hands on a unit but here they're over $1500 if you can even find one so people don't let them go and its almost a bidding war when one comes on the market
Nicely done video with lots of useful information. You painted a pretty accurate picture of the Spitfire based on my memories. My first car was a 1972 Spitfire MK IV that I bought in 1979. I had a lot of fun with that car. Though mine had a vinyl covered dash (as some did) I thought the wood dash in the Spit was real wood veneer. All these years later, I still find these to be beautiful cars. It's good to know that there is an active community out there helping each other out in the preservation of these cars.
hideous but it does a good job protecting the car lol. if I get a clean shell I would do the Miata swap but this car is actually really fun to drive with the drivetrain thats in it. pretty much felt on par with a buddies na Miata, granted it would be a lot more fun if the na Miata drivetrain was in the spitfire.
You want to screw around with the computer and all the wiring, be my guest pal. Have fun putting the fuel pump in the tank and plumbing the fuel return line. I'd rather be driving.
Enjoyed your video! My first car was a 69. I bought it slightly used in 70 when I was 18. Such a blast to drive! Even with all the problems. I'm old now and don't have the patience to deal with a 50 year old car. Now my "fun" car is a 2001 Miata - just as much fun, but twice the power and great reliability. Have fun!
Where in Ontario are you? I'm guessing in the GTA? I'm looking at a '79 Spit - 1500. It's been abandoned and sitting outside for 10+ years. It's in need of a complete body off resto. I may need to find you, for advice.
I would love to have one with a more modern engine swap for sure, I can imagine it would be a heck of a lot more fun to drive. ill be honest though, mine is pretty fun and it isn't the slowest one out there so ill keep this one the way it is. eventually if I find a deal on a shell I may build something faster.
@@squeelznpeelz3135 Yea, its a blast.. just test drive a used Miata sometime, and imagine that feeling in the skin of your Spitfire... fuel injection, 5 speed, smooth power response... amazing. plus 70-80mph no problem
@@cmscms123456 while after doing mechanic work for 35 years, I want to go back to simplier things, tired of electronics, so I am looking for a Spitfire, and want a 6 cylinder conversion, but no modern anything. in next few years I will be rid of my modernish vehicles, & wont own anything newer than mid 1980's
I figured since I want to re plumb the fuel lines and add the blocks, I might not even get to looking into the needles in them as of yet since most likely ill just change to hs4s. but I will run the hs4s with the k&ns so at that point ill look into the needles and do some research
Vous êtes très beau, une barbe savamment taillée, mais ce n'est pas vous que je suis venu voir... mais le petit cabriolet anglais que vous cachez derrière vous! Donc non...
Great job on demonstrating how to raise and lower the top. Be thankful that your vinyl is pretty soft and flexible. I have to struggle a bit to close my snaps for the rear corners of the top.
im 5'8" but I've had someone your height in it and they didn't think it was too bad. I guess its just about getting in and out thats more difficult but with stock seats there is pretty good room
the rear ones can and then install the early mk4 bumper ion its place but the front ones have a huge amount of metal support behind them that would need to be cut down and welded shorter to fit the small euro spec/ early mk4 overriders
I'm 6'4-1/2" and I fit fine, even with the top up. But it fits like a glove. I changed out the stock 14+" steering wheel for a 13" which made it a lot easier to get in and out of. And a more comfortable drive position. The car is so light that I barely noticed any difference in steering effort.
Ahh... takes me back to my early years. I owned one for about 1 1/2 years and before it was stolen in 1973 -- so sad. I miss that car because it was so much fun to drive, looked great and was great on gas. I think if I ever got a classic car, it would be a Spitfire or perhaps a Mini. I had a red 1968 and the engine had been rebuilt for racing and then the idea was scrapped and so I got it for a song. You could pull some serious G's going around corners. The driveshaft was out of balance so I could go more than 63mph or so without vibration and I never got around to having it properly balanced. I tried replacing it with a later model driveshaft but that one was almost as bad. Like David Mack I am happy to see young people that appreciate what these cars have to offer.
they're so much fun to drive spirited, if you can get another one that would be lots of fun. I'm sorry to hear about your spitfire being stolen, its a shame that we have to have everything locked away and out of sight just to keep it, even where I'm at theres lots of theft that I wouldn't leave it in the driveway overnight. a mini would be a cool choice as well, I haven't driven any of the classic ones but they look like they would be a blast to drive.
@@squeelznpeelz3135 Thanks, yeah they're still pretty affordable. So nimble and visceral. You could pull some serious Gs going around tight turns even with the narrow radials they had back then. I had to balance the carburetors with an air-float almost weekly to get the good performance. 🙂
I have a vacuum assist unit on my 1980 1500 in place of the battery which is in the boot (or trunk) and greatly improves the braking. The gas units on the bonnet (hood) are also the better than the old unit. Poly bushes also help. You could also do with the side screens on the engine (original equipment) which directs the airflow through the radiator and assists cooling, otherwise a nice car.
Lovely looking Spitty. They're a great little car. Fast enough, easy to work on and cheap to keep on the road. I wouldn't bother putting the roof up in the rain as there's usually plenty of water finds its way in even when up😂
that would be super cool but sooo much work, upgraded suspension for the new weight and all, I feel like it wouldn't have the same vibes but I would give it a shot if I could afford to haha
LOL, I had two Spitfires - 1967 and later a 1977. Two of the least dependable cars I ever owned. Scary cars if you ask me. I bought the 77' when it was 6 months old, and it proceeded to have almost every problem that the 67' had, but since it had that damn Lucas electronic ignition it would actually konk out while driving. I had mine die going uphill in the passing lane of the Philadelphia expressway! Then, when I pulled over the damn thing started right up. I also replaced every U-joint, leaky hydraulic clutch, generator, and an assortment of other things. Best of luck! I also drove mine in the dead of winter in a blizzard driving on the interstate coming out of Pittsburg. Talk about scary!
I did similar for my Midget but hated it after a few days and scraped it off. I used a Cricut and purposefully picked non-permanent vinyl because I knew it was a test. I replicated the chrome MIDGET that they used to have on the rocker panels in chrome vinyl. Again, hated it, peeled it off. Took about an hour to design, print and apply, and about two more to start to hate it :-)
YOU ARE WRONG THE CLUSTERGEAR IN THETRANSMISSION LOOSES TEETH IF SLIGHTLY ABUSED AND HAS NOT BEEN MADE IN 30 YEARS. I HAD TO BUY A RUSTY CAR JUST TO GET THE CLUSTER TO FIX MINE
@@csi1392 ohh, well where I'm located I have a great abundance of parts, I've never had to go out of my way to get anything. I'm sorry to hear its not the same where you are, I'm sure its different experiences for different geographical locations
My first car was a TR6, but I always had a soft spot for the Spitfire. Great looking car. Dare I say, one of the coolest small cars out there and up there to me with the Bugeye Sprite and TVR 2500m.
Hey I’ve got that exhaust on mine! My 77 has chrome, I think it’s 79/80 that have plastic. Also I didn’t know about the snaps so thanks! I did ruin my top so I need a new one :( great video btw!!!
you are correct! I could have sworn it was in 77 but I just checked. I think shipped to me it was like 600 CDN as I had it shipped from the states, but if you wait for the cyber Monday sales I'm sure you can get a new top for a good price. thanks! I wish I took more time making it and properly researched some of the points I made, I was going off of what I thought I knew about the car from what other owners taught me and what I learned myself but a lot of what I said was wrong lol but you can get then just of owning one anyways haha
On BUMPERS, Overriders are ABOVE Bumper height. Underriders are Below Bumper Height. USA Bumpers Totally Destroy the Car's Looks. ( they Look STUPID ) Retro fit Original UK Spec Bumpers.
Lovely car - a lot of similarities with the Fiat Spider of the same era. Gotta say tho, they really nailed the hood design with the Fiat. Can just be sat in the car, flip a couple of levers, throw back, joh done! For these MGs and Triumphs it’s like pitching a tent 😆
