1973 Triumph Spitfire Mk IV
I, my wife and my son drove this car in everyday use from 1980 to
1992.
The only drive line repairs were a new head gasket and two clutches in
120,000 miles but I had to continuously replace steering and suspension
bushes and dampers all of which were a little too flimsy for our rough
roads and fast driving. This was a great fun car in warm weather
- not quite so much fun in winter when after standing overnight the
inside
of the hood would be lined with frost which would fall off with every
bump
in the road. After a few mods to the breathing and a free-flowing
exhaust system it went pretty well with a genuine 100 mph.
possible.
With its non-standard wide wheels and tyres, flared front wings and the
addition of the later front spoiler I think it looked great. The
Mallard Green which is much the same as Brooklands Green looked good
too.
The problems inherent in the Spitfire's swing-axle arrangement had been
reduced on the Mk IV with a wider track and the wide wheels also helped
so that I never had any problems in that respect.
Eventually after numerous repairs to rust in the floor, sills and 'A'
posts it became too bad to easily fix to pass the MOT so I sold it for
spares. I expected the new owner to tow it away but no, he turned
up with his large wife and drove it home about 60 miles to the Scottish
Borders - I thought they would fall right through the floor as they
climbed
in but they got home without mishap!
4 cyl. 1296cc. OHV. 75bhp.
- Performance greatly improved by better breathing.
- All independent suspension with transverse leaf at rear.
- Rather flimsy chassis, always something wearing out.
