This car is not especially collectable, not a classic and far from exotic. It is however my DD as often as possible and an absolute hoot to drive. It's a Triumph Spitfire at the time Triumph was a marque in the British Leyland stable along with Morris, MG, Austin, Jaguar, Rover, Land Rover and some truck, bus, tractor and forklift brands. It had little in common with any of the other marques most of which shared some parts with each other. The Spitfire was supposedly named for the Vickers/Supermarine Spitfire aircraft. As the story goes Vickers wanted to use the name Vanguard for one of it's aircraft and Triumph had a car of the same name so they offered a naming rights swap to obtain the Vanguard name.
The car also differs from most of the British Leyland fleet in having a full frame (it's actually kind of pathetic but it is a frame) most of the others used unibody while most of the Triumphs had frames.
For it's time it was quite advanced having IRS, rack and pinion steering and disc brakes (front only). It produces an astounding 74 horses from an I4 OHV with a single side draft Zenith Stromburg carb. Earlier cars had dual SU side drafts. The massive power is coupled to a manual 4 speed. There were few factory options and fewer dealer options. This one has a removable factory hardtop which cost $175 in 71.
The car is quite small - the roof is about 44 inches off the ground and the seat cushions about 10. If you're over about 6'2" you won't fit and if you're of generous stature you won't fit.
Another unusual feature is anti Ackerman steering not something normally found on production street vehicles. It had the shortest turning circle of any production car until the Smart Car was introduced. The car really sticks to the road and I can make turns that have my passengers jumping out of their skins.
The luggage rack was an aftermarket addon. Note the fuel filler under the window accessible from either side. The gas tank right under the filler.
The entire front end is the hood like a an XKE and makes access a breeze. I can change the oil from the top - the drain plug is on the side of the pan and accessible from the top side. The filter is on the side of the engine and can be seen under the alternator. Even the starter can be removed from the top side it's right there under the fuel pump.
The silly mesh imitation air filter has been replaced with a stock one.
It's just basic CAR. Not much in the way of comforts or luxuries. Even the radio is kind of a loosing battle since the engine noise and wind noise makes the radio kind of useless.
Like most Brit cars it's not just a car it's a hobby but every time I get in it it's an adventure.
