1970 Triumph SPITFIRE MK3

First registered on 1st May 1970, this Mk3 Spitfire left the factory with the optional Laycock- de Normanville overdrive installed. This lengthens the gearing in 3rd and 4th by 20% enabling much easier and more economical cruising. More recently, this Spit has had the standard 4.11:1 differential replaced with a higher-ratio 3.89:1 final drive from the later Spitfire IV; lowering the revs even further to add to the cruise comfort and economy. The car, painted in stunning Signal Red, comes with a folding roof.

From what we can see on the car and in the well organised history file, our Spitfire has been in near constant use with good money spent over the last 30 years, replacing or upgrading a significant number of both mechanical and cosmetic fittings to keep this good looking British roadster on the road and ready for action.

The body and paint on this car are very solid; the bright Signal Red presenting well with few blemishes. We understand from the vendor that the car underwent a full body-off restoration around 8 years ago. The original front wings and wheel arches were replaced at that time with new GT6 MkII panels which feature louvred gills. Although never seen on the drop-top Spitfire these were fitted to the contemporary GT6 fixed-head coupé and, in our opinion, don’t detract from the look of the car.

The alloy wheels too are from elsewhere in the Triumph canon; in this case the much later TR7 but they don’t look dissimilar to the Cromodora alloys that small Italian sports cars of the period were seen running on. All four are fitted with Falken Sincera tyres which appear in good order.

The recent black folding roof is in great condition and operates as it should. The original factory hard top in red will come with the car but according to the vendor needs some attention to be as good as the rest of the car. Whilst useful to have a serviceable hard top, this car is all about top down, open-to-the-elements motoring and the rag top has been all that recent owners have needed. If wanted, this will need to be picked up by the buyer from the vendor's home in Surrey.

The chrome and rubber around the car are very good and panel fit is mostly as expected. The bonnet clamshell fits and closes but could do with some minor hinge fettling to straighten up the shut line and ease the bonnet catch operation on one side.

The neat interior is a blend of old and new with the original large-diameter 3-spoke steering wheel dominating the forward view past what is possibly the original dashboard and across the sloping bonnet between those characteristically arched front wings.

The vinyl dash top and door cappings all appear in good condition with no obvious splits or scuffs, as does the gear stick gaiter, drive tunnel and centre arm-rest.

The black vinyl seats from out of a GT6 give a more sporty look to the cabin and are complemented by the fitted carpets and door cards which were replaced around 10 years ago plus the more recent Triumph floor mats. For additional safety, inertia-reel seatbelts are fitted to both driver and passenger sides.

The modern aftermarket stereo has a retro-fascia which helps it to blend in with the ‘70s console but the vendor informs us that it is currently not working for reasons unknown.

Although the visible parts of the car have by no means been neglected, the majority of the money spent over the last 30 years has been to keep the car in good mechanical condition, allowing it to be driven regularly.

This has continued with the current owner who in the last year and a half has had a reconditioned differential fitted (a taller 3.89:1 ratio final drive as previously mentioned to make cruising - with the overdrive, remember - even more relaxing), a new steering rack and ball joints and a servo-assisted brake system. At the same time the sump was removed, cleaned and refitted with a new gasket which the vendor tells us means the car no longer leaves any oil on the garage floor.

Previous upgrades can also be seen in the engine bay including a new radiator and hoses from 2012 and an electronic ignition system fitted in 2003. The suspension dampers all round and road springs at the front look fairly recent and in good condition and the sporty exhaust system is fully stainless which should be trouble free for many years.

Underneath everything appears solid and the underseal intact with no major rust on the subframe, floors or door bottoms. This tidy, solid appearance continues inside the boot where the inner wings were replaced around 10 years ago. There is a full-size steel spare with accompanying wheel brace and tool wrap.

Our Spitfire comes with an owner’s manual and a very comprehensive and well presented history folder going back to 1991 showing all repairs and replacements as well as expired MOT certificates and even VED discs.

The frequent and numerous garage invoices show that during the 90s and noughties, this Spitfire averaged several thousand miles each year and had everything done to it that needed to be done to keep it going. Over the last decade it has been more of a weekend warrior but has been driven regularly when not undergoing significant works. The car has been stored in specialist facilities for the last two winters and at other times under a heavy duty cover.

Few things are better for a car’s general health than regular use; sitting static in a museum, showroom or garage is a painful, slow death leading to shriveled rubber seals and seized and rusty mechanical components.

The online MOT history shows nothing of concern and, although exempt, the car has a current MOT certificate valid until August 2020 adding significant extra reassurance. Please visit the documents section in the gallery of this listing where you will find photos of this and all of the other paperwork.

This glorious Mk3 Spitfire in Signal Red is not just a pretty car, it is also completely on-the-button; we think the new owner won’t want to wait for Spring but will be chomping at the bit for a rain-free winter’s day to wrap up warm and take it out for a spirited B-road drive with the top down.

Although a good looker, holding its own dressed in red among contemporary Italian roadsters, it’s not so concours that you’ll be afraid to use it when it’s raining. It starts and drives well - it was driven the 70+ miles from Surrey to our unit in Oxfordshire - and is a very good condition, usable car with significant money spent recently such that its new owner can jump straight in and enjoy for many years to come.

The vendor is offering this well-used car with no reserve but given its road-ready condition and super cared-for history we expect it to sell for £7,500 - £10,000, making an ideal festive-coloured Christmas present for someone you love - especially yourself!

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abindgon; to arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.

If needed, please remember we have a network of trusted suppliers we work with regularly and can recommend: Classic & Sportscar Finance for purchase-financing, Thames Valley Car Storage for storing your car, AnyVan for transporting it, and Footman James for classic car insurance.

BORING, but IMPORTANT: Please note that whilst we at The Market always aim to offer the most descriptive and transparent auction listings available, we cannot claim they are perfect analyses of any of the vehicles for sale. We offer far greater opportunity for bidders to view, or arrange inspections for each vehicle thoroughly prior to bidding than traditional auctions, and we never stop encouraging bidders to take advantage of this. We do take a good look at the vehicles delivered to our premises for sale, but this only results in our unbiased personal observations, not those of a qualified inspector or other professional, or the result of a long test drive.

Additionally, please note that most of the videos on our site have been recorded using simple cameras which often result in 'average' sound quality; in particular, engines and exhausts notes can sound a little different to how they are in reality.