Wow! Second time tonite I see young people driving these kind of cars. The other is a guy who drives a red TR-3. Ususally kids nowadays dont like these cars. Great to see I wasnt 100% right. Anyway, this is beautiful. A Spitfire, great winding roads thru the woods and a girl to come along. Doesn't get any better. Did the same myself in '73 with my chick in my Sprite Mk3. Great fun . Took a Spit for a drive one night. Owner was a buddy from work. Took it thru Central Park (NY) at night and not used to the IRS, spun it out on a sharp curve. Came to a stop in the middle of the road with the sound of a hub cap rattling down the road! Mybuddy got out laughing, got the hubcap back on and we went on with me still driving. Great experience ; great memories. Thanks for dredging them up for me.
axiomist you’re right, my kids on the other hand won’t let mine sit to the point I almost have to book an appointment to drive it my self. They’d rather drive it than any thing else.
I had a Spitfire 1500 overdrive for over 11 years (sold it in 2000), Inca Yellow, 1977, right hand drive as I am UK, great fun but so unreliable. Three engine rebuilds, two gearbox changes, two differential changes, suspension failours, numerous other mechanical fauilts. Rust was a massive problem which is not surprising in my country. I loved my Spitfire though.
The trick is to find nice winding roads like these. I live near I-95 and other semi super highway roads. An old beautiful British roadster like yours and that road is a match made in heaven. Great sounding Britster.
I was living in Los Angeles in 1976 and in a wild/crazy moment I decided to sell my very nice and beloved 1967 Cadillac and buy a new 1976, Triumph Spitfire . . . . from the sublime to the ridiculous. For awhile it was fun, driving the curves of Coldwater and Beverly Glen canyons or a trip through Big Sur. But soon the car proved to be a pain, mechanically. It was the worst car I ever owned and I sold it three years later. The final decision came when I was talking my foreign car mechanic. He called my Spitfire a "Little British #@&% box." I should have known earlier because when I bought the car, hardly anyone who worked at the dealership drove anything from British Leyland. The tip off I ignored. Today one of my cars is a Miata. Many years later I finally got the roadster I wanted--even more fun than the Spitfire and way more dependable.
paul austin Hey Paul, I just wanted to tell you that owning a spitfire/Midget/Sprite isn’t about sheer speed, handling, and class. It’s about putting the top down, cruising backroads on a warm sunday afternoon, and seeing how fun these cars are. Between the 2019 Alfa Romeo 124 spyder and a 1974 MG Midget 1500, I easily had more fun in the midget. The Midget even has a very poor compression reading, and has no power to speak of, but is still a blast! I am currently restoring a red 77 spitfire 1500, and I’m having a blast learning plenty of new tricks and “tidbits” about these beautiful cars.(as I am still 16)
The one thing you always have to rember with these spits is, except for motorcycles, your the smallest thing on the road, and definitely the shortest, so trucks have a hard time noticing you !
Nice one. takes me back to driving my spit 30 years ago (ouch)... makes a great sound. Had a couple of Spitfires & couple TR7's as well.. although the last TR7 I had was a nightmare. Looks like your having a great time. Ade Nottinghamshire.
My first car was a second hand 2K maroon Triumph Spitfire convertible that leaked in the rain. I regret that I let a Sorority King and Queen ride the back as I drove them in a parade. At one point they lit up a doobie, but we didn't get caught. What I regret is that I needed to keep the clutch engaged for most of the parade to keep the engine from stalling. The clutch plate had a sticking problem after that.
Yellow, eh. Mine ('75) was originally yellow-then had 3 separate shades of red overtop the thing over the years. I HATE aircraft stripper! Now it's a Dodge Viper red with 3 coats of clear. Headers and MGB SU-4's and drive every Sunday. No hills in Memphis (sigh) nice vid.
Is that unusual in the states? I've always wondered if "you can't even drive stick" is just a movie thing or if it's really that uncommon for people to be able to drive a manual over there!
@@Sarah-ko3mx It's all too real. The percentage of cars sold in the States with manuals is in single digits (Honda finally stopped offering Accords with manual in 2020, they only offer one car here with it now). I currently run 5 cars, two of them British classics and not one slushbox in the lot. And neither do the two projects sitting in my shop.
Sweet video, and even cooler car. I am building a 1977 spit for my first car and I can't wait for summer to go zipping around in it. Do you have any recommendation about anything about these cars? Does a tr7 or tr8 5 speed fit to a spit motor from 1977?
I've got a 76 spitfire 1500. Loads of fun on those back roads. Not designed for the intersate really. I mean, it is a british car, not American right ?
Yeah, I'm truly thinking of upgrading mine all around. Power, handling, gears, and maybe a complete resto-mod. Fun little cars, even though I'm a muscle car guy ! I mean, this is only one pony in my stable.
Will, sorry to hijack this thread but a while back you posted this video clip Techtonics Tuning Stainless Steel Borla Exhaust, VW MKII GTI CIS-E, Acceleration and Down Shift. That is the exact sound I am looking to have for my 1966 Sunbeam Alpine Series V. I realize exhaust and engine will make a difference but could you kindly tell me which Borla muffler was used in that clip? By the way as a young teenager (I am now 61) I always wanted a Triumph Spitfire and this one sounds great. Also loved the TR-250s and GT-6+. Thanks.
Jim Flannagan Jim no worries at all and awesome car! The Techtonics setup was by far one of the best sounding exhaust I've ever heard on a vintage car. Honestly, I don't know the exact muffler model but it was fairly small. The system also had a resonator and cat and was made from heavy gauge stainless steel. This is basically the setup I had: techtonicstuning.com/main/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2_12_50_44_134&products_id=1440 I think the heavy gauge steel and resonator were a big part of why it sounded so crisp and also why there was not a droneing noise inside the car. The TR-250 is on my bucket list for sure. Happy motoring-
I purchase just triumph spitfire for this experience. There was also another reason, gas mileage, looks and easy to fix. Todays cars are a maze of wires. These cars are a simple fix
I have a friend who, by request, painted someone's Spitfire in the exact color scheme as a real Supermarine Spitfire, complete with 'kills' on the bonnet. He showed me a picture of it.
I have a chance to buy a '73 Spitfire that has been meticulously restored with a Professionally Transplanted Toyota Twin Cam with the 5 speed transmission. This engine is 124 HP and loafs along in 5th at 70MPH. He wants around $7500CDN for it.
+bluestudio67 It WAS going to be great fun, but his wife won't let him sell it ! So instead, I found a 1985 Alfa Romeo Spider. It was originally bought New by someone in Japan then shipped to Canada. It has the 135HP engine with twin Solex Carbs, and is in near mint condition.
Hate to admit it but, the exhaust is an amalgamation of electrical conduit, bendy pipe, clamps and a cheap Autozone muffler. It sounds pretty good though to be so jerry rigged!
Vintage and Antique Automobiles they are pretty good. Just have to remember, parts wear out and you’re already starting with an old car. My 78 is a blast but I enjoy the maintenance as much as the driving.
Hi there, I used to own the exact same model as in the video, my length is 183 cm and never had any problem fitting into the car with the top up or down, hope this helps.
Wow! Second time tonite I see young people driving these kind of cars. The other is a guy who drives a red TR-3. Ususally kids nowadays dont like these cars. Great to see I wasnt 100% right. Anyway, this is beautiful. A Spitfire, great winding roads thru the woods and a girl to come along. Doesn't get any better. Did the same myself in '73 with my chick in my Sprite Mk3. Great fun . Took a Spit for a drive one night. Owner was a buddy from work. Took it thru Central Park (NY) at night and not used to the IRS, spun it out on a sharp curve. Came to a stop in the middle of the road with the sound of a hub cap rattling down the road! Mybuddy got out laughing, got the hubcap back on and we went on with me still driving. Great experience ; great memories. Thanks for dredging them up for me.
axiomist you’re right, my kids on the other hand won’t let mine sit to the point I almost have to book an appointment to drive it my self. They’d rather drive it than any thing else.
Great to see young people who understand the charm of simplicity, what a sports car is supposed to be, Good on ya!
What a wonderful country drive. Love the old Triumph sound and handling. Thank you for taking us with you!
I had a Spitfire 1500 overdrive for over 11 years (sold it in 2000), Inca Yellow, 1977, right hand drive as I am UK, great fun but so unreliable. Three engine rebuilds, two gearbox changes, two differential changes, suspension failours, numerous other mechanical fauilts. Rust was a massive problem which is not surprising in my country. I loved my Spitfire though.
The trick is to find nice winding roads like these. I live near I-95 and other semi super highway roads. An old beautiful British roadster like yours and that road is a match made in heaven. Great sounding Britster.
I was living in Los Angeles in 1976 and in a wild/crazy moment I decided to sell my very nice and beloved 1967 Cadillac and buy a new 1976, Triumph Spitfire . . . . from the sublime to the ridiculous. For awhile it was fun, driving the curves of Coldwater and Beverly Glen canyons or a trip through Big Sur. But soon the car proved to be a pain, mechanically. It was the worst car I ever owned and I sold it three years later. The final decision came when I was talking my foreign car mechanic. He called my Spitfire a "Little British #@&% box." I should have known earlier because when I bought the car, hardly anyone who worked at the dealership drove anything from British Leyland. The tip off I ignored. Today one of my cars is a Miata. Many years later I finally got the roadster I wanted--even more fun than the Spitfire and way more dependable.
paul austin Hey Paul, I just wanted to tell you that owning a spitfire/Midget/Sprite isn’t about sheer speed, handling, and class. It’s about putting the top down, cruising backroads on a warm sunday afternoon, and seeing how fun these cars are. Between the 2019 Alfa Romeo 124 spyder and a 1974 MG Midget 1500, I easily had more fun in the midget. The Midget even has a very poor compression reading, and has no power to speak of, but is still a blast! I am currently restoring a red 77 spitfire 1500, and I’m having a blast learning plenty of new tricks and “tidbits” about these beautiful cars.(as I am still 16)
@@flyup1232 Good for you!!
Thanks for the sound. So many memories of a time long ago.
I did this yesterday on the back roads of NH, great fun! I've had mine for 40 years and still get a thrill driving on roads like this.
Reminds me of my 1970 that I had in 1978. Keep an eye on that temperature gauge!!
As a Tr-250 owner for the past 20 yrs had many of these drives ....
Lovely car and sounds great! I'd love to have one
The one thing you always have to rember with these spits is, except for motorcycles, your the smallest thing on the road, and definitely the shortest, so trucks have a hard time noticing you !
Nice one. takes me back to driving my spit 30 years ago (ouch)... makes a great sound. Had a couple of Spitfires & couple TR7's as well.. although the last TR7 I had was a nightmare. Looks like your having a great time. Ade Nottinghamshire.
Ade UK A
Nice video. Brings back memories. Owned a 1974 Spitfire.
My first car was a second hand 2K maroon Triumph Spitfire convertible that leaked in the rain. I regret that I let a Sorority King and Queen ride the back as I drove them in a parade. At one point they lit up a doobie, but we didn't get caught. What I regret is that I needed to keep the clutch engaged for most of the parade to keep the engine from stalling. The clutch plate had a sticking problem after that.
Fun little backroad cars ! I’ve got a blue, black interior, 76 spit.
Total movie scene. Love iy
I had a 1974, mallard green spit. What a feaking great car.
Yellow, eh. Mine ('75) was originally yellow-then had 3 separate shades of red overtop the thing over the years. I HATE aircraft stripper! Now it's a Dodge Viper red with 3 coats of clear. Headers and MGB SU-4's and drive every Sunday. No hills in Memphis (sigh) nice vid.
Love That Sound. It Has Soul .
Hear hear!
Nice to see a youngster who can drive a manual
Is that unusual in the states? I've always wondered if "you can't even drive stick" is just a movie thing or if it's really that uncommon for people to be able to drive a manual over there!
@@Sarah-ko3mx It's all too real. The percentage of cars sold in the States with manuals is in single digits (Honda finally stopped offering Accords with manual in 2020, they only offer one car here with it now). I currently run 5 cars, two of them British classics and not one slushbox in the lot. And neither do the two projects sitting in my shop.
Sweet video, and even cooler car. I am building a 1977 spit for my first car and I can't wait for summer to go zipping around in it. Do you have any recommendation about anything about these cars? Does a tr7 or tr8 5 speed fit to a spit motor from 1977?
scott penner I also am remodeling a 77 spitfire! What color are you going for?
Flyup123 Gaming ive got a 76 spit working on as well! Nuts!
Great video I'd love to own one of these one day
If there wasn't any other traffic on that road it looks like it would be perfect for my 74 Corvette.
Great video Will enjoyed that.
I've got a 76 spitfire 1500. Loads of fun on those back roads. Not designed for the intersate really. I mean, it is a british car, not American right ?
67 cuda luckily this one has overdrive. Making it, “acceptable” at best.
Yeah, I'm truly thinking of upgrading mine all around. Power, handling, gears, and maybe a complete resto-mod. Fun little cars, even though I'm a muscle car guy ! I mean, this is only one pony in my stable.
The quintessential British man drives the quintessential British car
Will, sorry to hijack this thread but a while back you posted this video clip Techtonics Tuning Stainless Steel Borla Exhaust, VW MKII GTI CIS-E, Acceleration and Down Shift. That is the exact sound I am looking to have for my 1966 Sunbeam Alpine Series V. I realize exhaust and engine will make a difference but could you kindly tell me which Borla muffler was used in that clip? By the way as a young teenager (I am now 61) I always wanted a Triumph Spitfire and this one sounds great. Also loved the TR-250s and GT-6+. Thanks.
Jim Flannagan Jim no worries at all and awesome car! The Techtonics setup was by far one of the best sounding exhaust I've ever heard on a vintage car. Honestly, I don't know the exact muffler model but it was fairly small. The system also had a resonator and cat and was made from heavy gauge stainless steel. This is basically the setup I had:
techtonicstuning.com/main/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2_12_50_44_134&products_id=1440
I think the heavy gauge steel and resonator were a big part of why it sounded so crisp and also why there was not a droneing noise inside the car. The TR-250 is on my bucket list for sure. Happy motoring-
I want one.
I purchase just triumph spitfire for this experience. There was also another reason, gas mileage, looks and easy to fix. Todays cars are a maze of wires. These cars are a simple fix
Spitfire cos its sound a little bit like aircraft.
I have a friend who, by request, painted someone's Spitfire in the exact color scheme as a real Supermarine Spitfire, complete with 'kills' on the bonnet. He showed me a picture of it.
I have a chance to buy a '73 Spitfire that has been meticulously restored with a Professionally Transplanted Toyota Twin Cam with the 5 speed transmission. This engine is 124 HP and loafs along in 5th at 70MPH. He wants around $7500CDN for it.
That sounds like it'd be great fun!
+bluestudio67 It WAS going to be great fun, but his wife won't let him sell it !
So instead, I found a 1985 Alfa Romeo Spider. It was originally bought New by someone in Japan then shipped to Canada. It has the 135HP engine with twin Solex Carbs, and is in near mint condition.
+jackpontiac52. Just as nice... if not more so! That twin cam sings like Pavarotti!
+bluestudio67 The Spider is a more substantial sports car . iI am only beginning to realize this!
Is this the american version with roughly 53HP? Or has it been modified?
vanostran8 this one was a one-off year where the 1500 came with flat top pistons. So it’s likely closer to the European power rating.
great fun!
Qualcuno può dirmi come si chiamava il film americano:Gli anni della Triumph?
Une vidéo qui n'apporte pas grand chose ! le son ? j'ai eu des Pecos sur la mienne c'est sympa mais un peu éprouvant 50 bornes et vous êtes sourd
good British engineering, shame they slipped up on the rust problems
Excuse me driver are you tall ?
wo das wir haben denn gleichen in rot
What's the exhaust setup on this?
Hate to admit it but, the exhaust is an amalgamation of electrical conduit, bendy pipe, clamps and a cheap Autozone muffler. It sounds pretty good though to be so jerry rigged!
Ive been looking to get one anyone know how reliable they are?
Vintage and Antique Automobiles they are pretty good. Just have to remember, parts wear out and you’re already starting with an old car. My 78 is a blast but I enjoy the maintenance as much as the driving.
What do you call a Triumph that doesn’t leak oil?
Defective.
Aside from that I’ve had 3 over the years and loved all of them.
May I ask how tall you are weird ik but I want one of these cars and I wanna know if I'll fit thanks
Hi there, I used to own the exact same model as in the video, my length is 183 cm and never had any problem fitting into the car with the top up or down, hope this helps.