Triumph Spitfire

[henk4]

The Triumph Spitfire was presented in 1962, and was created on the wave of success that was encountered by its major competitors, the Austin Healey Sprite and the MG Midget. Compared to these cars, the Spit was a bit larger and had a bit more power under the bonnet. On top of that the car used the chassis and most of the mechanicals of the Triumph Herald, which not only gave it a ludicrously small turning circle, but also the swing axles that could not always cope with sharp cornering.

The body was designed by Michelotti by then the house-stylist of the company.

The Mk1 Spitfire 4 (for 4 cylinders) had a 63 BHP 1147 cc engine and was replaced by the Mk2 in 1965, which had the same engine but 4 BHP more. Mk1 production was 45733, while the Mk2 production stopped in 1967 after 37409 cars were made.

The 1967 introduced Mk3 had a 1296 cc engine, and with 75 BHP, performance figures really became acceptable, and the car could now reach 100 mph. Outward changes included a new wrap around front bumper and a new grille, which was largely hidden behind this new bumper. Production lasted another three years and 65320 units were made.

The one but final version was the Mk4, whereby Michelotti did a little bit more to update the body lines, but strangely enough the engine output was reduced to 63 BHP again, the same figure as the original Mk1. The gearbox was now fully synchronised, and the rear wheel suspension was significantly improved, applying the changes that were necessary to keep the much more powerful GT6 safely on the road.

In 1973 a 1500 cc US export version was introduced, which replaced the Mk4 in the other markets in 1974. Mk4 production ended after 70,021 cars, and the 1500 version became the most prolific with 95829 units produced at the end of the line which came in 1980.

All in all this was, and still is, a very affordable entry sportscar, of which good examples are still around.

Shown here is a 1969 Mk3, which visited the 2006 Concours d’Elegance at Het Loo. It is fitted with the overdrive system that was already available on the Mk1, and shows an elegant way how to deal with small children in a sportscar.