1979 Triumph Spitfire 1500
According to the chassis plate she was built in 1979 with a paint code for Leyland White.
In June 1981 she was sold new by Rankins (Leyland Dealers) of Munchengladbach, Germany to a Major William Coxon, and first registered on British Forces, Germany plates as VH 932 B.
The original bill of sale states that the body colour was red and on closer inspection, it can be seen from the rear of the bulkhead that it was re-sprayed in vermillion (orangey red), leaving the front chassis in white. Later she was re-sprayed again to her present colour. In 1983 the Spitfire was finally imported into the UK, hence the “Y” registration plate, and soon after sold to Mr George Hobson in Stockport, Greater Manchester. I understand that from 1992 she was dry stored for the next 18 years. Old MOT’s back this up with a mileage in 1992 of 54,000 miles and the MOT when I acquired her in July 2010 showed 54,800 miles.
Engine
OHV 4 Cylinder in line
Bore: 73.7mm
Stroke: 87.5mm
Displacement: 1,493cc
Compression ratio: 9 : 1
Carburettors: Twin SU HS4
Power output: 71bhp at 5,500rpm
Performance
Maximum speed: 134mph
Acceleration: 0-60 mph 7.8secs
Overall fuel consumption: 18mpg
Transmission
Clutch: Borg & Beck single dry plate
Gearbox: 4-speed, all synchromesh
final drive: 3.63 :1
J type overdrive optional
Construction
All metal steel body on backbone frame
Brakes
Dual hydraulic system, Front: 9in disk
Rear: 7in x 1.25in drums
Steering
Rack and pinion, Turning circle: 24ft
3.5 turns lock to lock
Suspension
Front: upper and lower wishbones,
coil springs, anti roll bar
Rear: independent, swing axle radius arms, pivoting transverse leaf spring
Telescopic dampers front & rear
Wheels
Bolt-on 13in x 4.5J pressed steel ventilated disc
Performance
Maximum speed: 100 mph
Acceleration, 0-60mph: 11.5secs
Overall fuel consumption:
approx 35mpg
Dimensions & Weight
Wheelbase: 6ft 11in
Track - front: 4ft 1in
Track - rear: 4ft
Overall length: 12ft 9in
Overall width: 4ft 10in
Overall height: 3ft 11in
Kerb weight: 15.67cwt
Tank capacity: 7.25 Imp gallons
Production
Dec 1974 - Aug 1980: 95,829
Total of all Spitfire variants: 314,332
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