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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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