I had the same Inca Yellow MkIV around 1985 (KAK 405P - Where are you now?) I bought it as a run-around, for my then girlfriend when she past her driving test at 18yrs old We used it to go on continental holidays every year in it, for 3 years Italy, France Andorra, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland . . . . . . it did them all !
These wonderful cars were maid in my home town of Coventry England,they are known as Canley classics, My father worked at the factory for 21 years,all the cast material on the vehicle came through his department, Raw material stores
Good video and great attitude. My Spitfire has sat in my garage for 28 years now whilst I’ve been travelling around the world, as soon as the kids leave for college I’m shipping it over and getting it back on the road, and like you I’m going to leave it looking “rustic” 👍
The classic Spitfire line is what puts it ahead of the Midget... fighting words ! All kidding aside cudos for saving those cars. My Midget has the side draft Stromberg and it is a simple reliable carburetor. It is easy to fix, easy to clean, and let's face it, these cars are not straight line racers. Their strength is in the handling.
Great job. That car reminds me of the 1973 Spitfire I had, many years ago. Even the same colour (which I agree, is the best of all the colours the Spitfire came in.) That car was my pride and joy. Sadly it was eventually written off when a “buddy” of mine without a licence “borrowed” his mum’s car, tried to race me through the streets and rammed me in the rear, pushing me into a Royal Mail pillar box (so smashed up at both ends basically.)
Going out today to test drive two Spitfires with the hope of bringing one home. :-) Although i am a former Fiero GT owner, i don't have any steering wheels around. I do have the spoiler that's NOT going on! Thank you for sharing your work and your thoughts. They are very helpful.
@@lmggarage2432 Only got to see one car. I (re)learned that one person's idea of mechanically sound is not automatically the same as mine. I'll admit it has been many years since I drove a Spit, but this car had what I'd call a _severe_ shimmy, worse when braking, that made me think a total control arm and steering rebuild was in order. That, along with much more body work needed than advertised made me write it off as a learning experience. I AM gonna get a Spitfire, and I KNOW the tools will come out, but I don't need to buy one today. I'll wait until the right one shows up.
I get the comment of leaving it all original if possible but those Zenith Stromberg carbs are just a PITA. They never seem to idle consistently and adding oil to that dampner was more than I wanted to deal with. Swapped mine for the dual ports sidedraft weber with K&N air filter for the inlet and a header for the exhaust. The header feeds the standard tail pipe and muffler system without having to tune for proper back pressure. I never regretted it and like the sound better, plus I think it eaked out a few more ponies on the anemic 1.3 liter
Avoid cracking the hood at the latches... Neber lift the hood by the chrome latch, open by grabbing the wheel well opening, If you use the latch to lift, you end up tearing the hood sheet metal.
I bought my 78 from a student who put new engines in Spits. It turned 100,000 miles shortly after I bought it. It had working overdrive. Sold at 147,000 fo $1,600. Probably still out there.
10 thumbs up for the comment about the Web(b)er..." it is a total cop out." Completely agree...Usually done by the lazy or the ignorant or the deluded wanna be Ricky Racer. Another option would be SUs as used on earlier Spitfires.
Glad someone shares my grief everytime I see a weber downdraft on a british car haha. I do have a set of twin SUs but I feel they'd be more fitting for the 68 MK3 I'm going to build. (The red one in the video intro)
Hey now, some people just don't have SUs laying around or an intake header to match. (I sound defensive because I have a midget with a Webber downdraft... And haven't had time or money to replace it)
@@mundanestuff There should be a law.. No Downdraft Webers.. particularly the latest ones made in Spain. Start hunting for some SUs. .. they are around and often bought at modest prices. What year is your Midget and is the engine the original. ? Is it a 948,100,1275, 1500?
@@jeffhildreth9244 77 1500 Midget. I have a pile of small SUs for Bugeyes and A series engines, but no Strombergs or larger SUs. I could go triple SU, LOL. But where to get a header for it, and heat shield as the exhaust is right there. I'm inventorying my giant cache of parts I bought from my dad years ago, and should have a better idea what carbs I have available. If I don't have the right carbs handy, there's British Auto, a junkyard for these cars in the next town from us, he has hundreds of cars and thousands of parts, and can get parts at good prices, so I can always spend money
Great job saving this car. I am a long-term Spitfire owner and great fan. In the vid it looks like the battery is of the wrong size and/or not correctly fitted?
Liked and subscribed because of your closing comments. What COVID? I work alone, I have far too much to do to panic over such things. Wear a mask, avoid people, and get the vaccination and get back to work on my art and my 64 MGB..... you remind me of me 50 plus years ago.... BTW I am now looking at a 79 Spitfire...and that brought me here. Thanks from So Oregon. jjhildrethstudios.com
What????? no egr, air injection pump, nor catalyst? I thought the late spitfires had that stuff. Use a sealed battery like an Optima or other AGM type. that way you wont end up with a rusty hood, nor battery box. Your hood is very rusty above the battery.
I had the same Inca Yellow MkIV around 1985 (KAK 405P - Where are you now?)
I bought it as a run-around, for my then girlfriend when she past her driving test at 18yrs old
We used it to go on continental holidays every year in it, for 3 years
Italy, France Andorra, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland . . . . . . it did them all !
These wonderful cars were maid in my home town of Coventry England,they are known as Canley classics,
My father worked at the factory for 21 years,all the cast material on the vehicle came through his department,
Raw material stores
Very nice story thank you for your work and this nice car
Good video and great attitude. My Spitfire has sat in my garage for 28 years now whilst I’ve been travelling around the world, as soon as the kids leave for college I’m shipping it over and getting it back on the road, and like you I’m going to leave it looking “rustic” 👍
That's the way to do it. You won't be scared to drive it with a few scratches and paint chips!
My 79 Spitfire is in Inca Yellow and I love it. You're in good company
Awesome 👌. Certainly my favorite color they came in!
Great work, it does your credit.
Thank you!
The classic Spitfire line is what puts it ahead of the Midget... fighting words !
All kidding aside cudos for saving those cars.
My Midget has the side draft Stromberg and it is a simple reliable carburetor. It is easy to fix, easy to clean, and let's face it, these cars are not straight line racers. Their strength is in the handling.
Great job. That car reminds me of the 1973 Spitfire I had, many years ago. Even the same colour (which I agree, is the best of all the colours the Spitfire came in.) That car was my pride and joy. Sadly it was eventually written off when a “buddy” of mine without a licence “borrowed” his mum’s car, tried to race me through the streets and rammed me in the rear, pushing me into a Royal Mail pillar box (so smashed up at both ends basically.)
They don't hold up well in accidents at all. Glad it sparks up a bit of reminiscing, that's what it's all about.
This is so awesome. Beautiful ❤️
Aww thank you 😊. Hoping to improve a bit more and get some sort of following.
Those are awesome wheels.
I agree 👍. Gives the car a 70s street machine look
thing of beauty.. and in my opinion - quite good investment car
Patina personified, great job sir!
Thank you!
Cracking job, well done young man 'London UK'
Thank you very much!
Nice touch having the soundtrack music from Le Mans!
I had watched it (for the 20th time) a few days before filming the video so I had to add it haha
Good job bro Toronto Ontario
Going out today to test drive two Spitfires with the hope of bringing one home. :-)
Although i am a former Fiero GT owner, i don't have any steering wheels around. I do have the spoiler that's NOT going on!
Thank you for sharing your work and your thoughts. They are very helpful.
Good luck with your search! Thank you!
@@lmggarage2432 Only got to see one car. I (re)learned that one person's idea of mechanically sound is not automatically the same as mine.
I'll admit it has been many years since I drove a Spit, but this car had what I'd call a _severe_ shimmy, worse when braking, that made me think a total control arm and steering rebuild was in order. That, along with much more body work needed than advertised made me write it off as a learning experience. I AM gonna get a Spitfire, and I KNOW the tools will come out, but I don't need to buy one today. I'll wait until the right one shows up.
nice video 🇱🇺
Whats with the seam on the top of the middle of the seat back? That seam should be hidden, on bottom, or if must have then be placed on the corners.
I get the comment of leaving it all original if possible but those Zenith Stromberg carbs are just a PITA. They never seem to idle consistently and adding oil to that dampner was more than I wanted to deal with. Swapped mine for the dual ports sidedraft weber with K&N air filter for the inlet and a header for the exhaust. The header feeds the standard tail pipe and muffler system without having to tune for proper back pressure. I never regretted it and like the sound better, plus I think it eaked out a few more ponies on the anemic 1.3 liter
Awesome video
Thank you very much!
Avoid cracking the hood at the latches... Neber lift the hood by the chrome latch, open by grabbing the wheel well opening, If you use the latch to lift, you end up tearing the hood sheet metal.
Inca Yellow, Beautiful
Where did you het those mags? Tyre size please?
They were off a parts car that I got with the group of cars. The tire size is 175/70 R13.
Very nice job! Where did you find the engine splash valances? I have a 1980 Spit and I am looking to replace the engine splash valances?
PARTS FOR THIS CAR CAN BE AQUIRED IN UK.... RIMMERS BROTHERS
I have a 79 1500 it doesn't have the chrome bumbers. I would prefer the chrome.. Thanks for the video.
The lighten the car around 50 lbs too! Ha
Nice Spitfire. Is the red valve cover stock color?
Wow
I bought my 78 from a student who put new engines in Spits. It turned 100,000 miles shortly after I bought it. It had working overdrive. Sold at 147,000 fo $1,600. Probably still out there.
Chrome bumpers are nice touch.
10 thumbs up for the comment about the Web(b)er..." it is a total cop out." Completely agree...Usually done by the lazy or the ignorant or the deluded wanna be Ricky Racer. Another option would be SUs as used on earlier Spitfires.
Glad someone shares my grief everytime I see a weber downdraft on a british car haha. I do have a set of twin SUs but I feel they'd be more fitting for the 68 MK3 I'm going to build. (The red one in the video intro)
Hey now, some people just don't have SUs laying around or an intake header to match. (I sound defensive because I have a midget with a Webber downdraft... And haven't had time or money to replace it)
@@mundanestuff There should be a law.. No Downdraft Webers.. particularly the latest ones made in Spain.
Start hunting for some SUs. .. they are around and often bought at modest prices.
What year is your Midget and is the engine the original. ? Is it a 948,100,1275, 1500?
@@jeffhildreth9244 77 1500 Midget. I have a pile of small SUs for Bugeyes and A series engines, but no Strombergs or larger SUs. I could go triple SU, LOL. But where to get a header for it, and heat shield as the exhaust is right there. I'm inventorying my giant cache of parts I bought from my dad years ago, and should have a better idea what carbs I have available. If I don't have the right carbs handy, there's British Auto, a junkyard for these cars in the next town from us, he has hundreds of cars and thousands of parts, and can get parts at good prices, so I can always spend money
@@mundanestuff : )
I have a manifold and proper DCOE Weber for a Midget.
Great vid! You got a good'un! BTW, the Fiero steering wheel doesn't look too bad on it. Pretty good....
Are there any more left on the lot?
I picked all of them up. They are all on my lot now! haha. Couple of the nicer ones I keep under cover.
Great job saving this car. I am a long-term Spitfire owner and great fan. In the vid it looks like the battery is of the wrong size and/or not correctly fitted?
Thank you! And you are right, I hadn't welded a new bottom on the battery box so there was a piece of wood used as support.
Liked and subscribed because of your closing comments.
What COVID? I work alone, I have far too much to do to panic over such things. Wear a mask, avoid people, and get the vaccination and get back to work on my art and my 64 MGB..... you remind me of me 50 plus years ago.... BTW I am now looking at a 79 Spitfire...and that brought me here. Thanks from So Oregon. jjhildrethstudios.com
Covid is a scam, hopefully you can recognise that now
What????? no egr, air injection pump, nor catalyst?
I thought the late spitfires had that stuff.
Use a sealed battery like an Optima or other AGM type. that way you wont end up with a rusty hood, nor battery box. Your hood is very rusty above the battery.