Resurrecting 1500 Spitfire

[Drew66]

Hi everyone, I am new to the British sports car resurrection madness. 😉 If i ask any Dumb questions then just bear with me. 😆

I have just purchased a disassembled 1500 Spitfire for a nut and bolt restoration. While it's apart what should I look at regarding updates/upgrades.

Should I keep it the original orange or change the colour.

I have brought the car mainly as an investment but I also want to have some fun always loved the 2 seat sports cars. 😆😆😆

Any help would be much appreciate.

[thescrapman]

Ask away with the dumb questions, we don't mind

what colour was it originally? There are a few Triumph colours that could be described as Orange in a certain light. Best start is the number on the ID plate. 

[WIMPUS]

Hi, welcome to the forum !

Dumb questions ? There are non ;)

Just ask away !

 

The color, best to check what it says on the plate on the bulkhead and then see if you like the color or not...

 

 

 

[Drew66]

Thanks for your replies.

The paint work has been more or less stripped and I don't fancy orange ish, I was just wondering what the most popular colours are and where I can get a colour chart.

What are the best mods to update the engine and frame/suspension.

I was thinking of changing the points to electronic.

Upgrading the Frame, Brakes and suspension as I believe from what I have read online that there are issues with the rear suspension and frame.

What about the carbs, is portting and gas flowing the head and high lift cams an option, to make the engine more responsive. Again information online.

Just trying to sort the truth from the missinformation that is out there online and create a reliable, safe and usable car. I'm not after a Race/track day car, just some thing that can keep up with traffic and is fun to drive on B roads.

 

 

[nang]

My advice (fwiw) is remember that it's  a 40 year old car. Enjoy it for what it is. Don't try to update it too much. There all sorts of mods that you can do, but I'd settle for good brakes, lights etc and get out and enjoy it. 😆

Tony.

[RobPearce]

I agree with Tony. Don't mod it until you've enjoyed it as standard. Apart from anything else, since the car is currently disassembled, you're going to have plenty of niggles getting it reliable without adding heaps of non-standard trouble traps. Build it as Triumph intended, get it working right, and then consider what could be improved.

A properly sorted, standard 1500 is agile and nippy enough for B-roads and will happily keep up with traffic that's keeping to the law. You don't need (and shouldn't want) to chase down that speed-camera-bait idiot in the BMW M5.

What you've read online about the "frame" and suspension is largely "pub wisdom" - a.k.a. utter tosh. The 1500 rear setup is quite good - certainly much better than the Mk3 was but even that is friendly and forgiving to an attentive driver. Sure, it's far more demanding than a modern car with more electronics than a moon rocket, but if you need that much help with your driving then you shouldn't be on the road.

As to colour - pick one you like. My preference for a late Spitfire would be dark green, white, or possibly navy blue. But that's irrelevant - it's your car, paint it the colour you like. Have a look at some photos on Google, or (better still) go to some classic car shows where you can see the various colours in the flesh.

[Clive]

Pick a colour you like is the best bet. Plenty of pics on google images, or be brave and something a bit more unusual? photoshop may be useful for that.

As to mods, the above are good info. The rear on a 1500 is pretty good, and I find very easy to live with. Likewise the engine. If you are rebuilding the engine, I would suggest the cam is changed to a mk3 spit profile, fit unleaded seats for the exhaust valves with 3 angle seats. Cheap but effective. Then use the best components  etc you can find.

 

Many "issues" are wih suspension are down to poor alignment (ie people have poor handling, so spend a fortune on new shocks/springs etc, and then have it properly aligned, when that is all that was needed!) and engines respond really well to a decent setup on a rolling road. I would fit a good electronic ignition, as I had issues with the quality of some std components but EI has always worked well for me. 

[Drew66]

Thanks, just what I wanted to hear, as you say there is so much rubbish online. One site says it a good car and another says that the frame needs strengthening and the rear suspension is dangerous. Being a newbe it's hard to sort out the truth from the fiction.

O.k so what mods would you recomend, you have mentioned lights. This is what I want to find out, I want to keep as standered as pos but while I am respraying it and replacing the interior as that is completely dead. I might as well update what I can.

Is there an alternative to the rubber bushes in the suspension, simple things like this that can make a big difference to the longevity of the car.

 

[Taylor bright]

In terms of things I've personally done to mine, seats I've changed for mx5 seats just simply more comfortable and easy to get hold of. 

The first engine was a near standard 1500 engine and was alright if in good condition then leave it. Efi will be the thing for my new engine but that's a rather different animal.

If you're looking for a replacement to a rubber Bush you'll be looking at polyurethanes of which youll have different hardness compounds available, if going full blown race then you could change bushes for spherical bearings instead but unless only racing it's pretty unnecessary.

I've heard of using a bigger battery and alternator and converting to ebay aluminium radiators if the current rad is old (ebay aluminium ones are often cheaper than rimmers or moss) electric fans are an option I have one from rimmers but I've heard from someone that an escort cosworth system fits very well 

[Clive]

As above, the important thing is to buy the best parts you can find, and some may be tricky to locate. So proper poly bushes (chris witor is the supplier to use) engine parts, you need to search this forum re bearings, cams etc, but in general genuine OEM old stock stuff is very good, new stuff very variable. And invariably quality costs unless you get lucky!

Park Lane Classics good for interiors, and well priced.

[RobPearce]

Poly bushes - get the good quality ones, not the cheap eBay rubbish - are worth doing.

Halogen (H4) headlight conversion is worth while, and fit relays while you're at it to protect the marginal dip switch.

I've fitted bigger batteries to all three of mine but only because the 063 type fits and costs less than the original 027.

As your is a 1500 it will already have an alternator. The standard one will suffice.

I've not had a problem with the standard radiator on any of mine. I do have electric fans on two but they're not essential. The 1500 should have a viscous fan, which makes the electric even less of a benefit... until the coupling fails, when going electric is a good option.

Two of mine are still running on points. The GT6 has Lumenition, which is very beneficial but only because it's got a totally knackered Delco disi. If yours is in good nick I'd wait and see before changing it. Again, most problems with ignition are not due to the points and condenser themselves, and if they are the replacement parts are cheap.

[Drew66]

I have only sean the car in photos, the previous owner to the one I am buying it of stripped the car. The engine parts as well as 80% of the car is in boxes, it will be a case of replacing all the engine bearings and seals as I rebuild the engine. Hopefully none of the important bearing surfaces on the crank will be damaged by corrision.

Do I need to invest in an imperial set of sockets and wrenches.

 

[efp]

Absolutely yes to getting imperial AF sockets and wrenches. While a couple of size have exact metric equivalents, most don’t, and the slight difference is enough to  round the corners of bolt heads in no time.

And get spares of 7/16, 1/2 and 9/16 inch if you can. It’s incredible how these most used sizes slither away and hide when you need them.

[Drew66]

O yes i used to work in engineering and its amazing how they evolve legs and walk away.😆

[Tim Bancroft]

Got to agree with all above. Quality parts from good suppliers essential.

I think the square tail Spitfire responds well to bright colours, also bright colours have the advantages of better visibility by other road users.

When rebuilding the engine use the best parts you can find. The std engine is torquey enough, I would look at making the thing more reliable: Distributor and carburettor rebuilds plus a decent fuel pump. Also, think about an oil cooler, I believe essential for the 1500 engine, many do not believe in them, I do!

Does the car have an overdrive gearbox, another essential item for a 1500, keep those engine revs down!

Suspension: A compliant and controlled ride are essential, bump steering down a country lane in a Spittie with no suspension travel is not to be recommended. Decent springs and shock absorbers are a wise choice...330lb front springs and Koni shocks with say, blue Polybushes fitted to joints. As Clive states, get the car four wheel aligned once back on the road.

A sorted Spitfire 1500 is a top car!

Have a look at this site, full of useful common sense information:

http://auskellian.com/paul/spit.html

[Drew66]

Hi thanks guys, I was just going to post that site myself. Found it really informative and answered most of the questions I had and questions that I hadn't thought of. Would recomend it to anyone.

http://auskellian.com/paul/links_files/performance_enhancements.htm

I found the information on the handling very usefull especialy on jacking and how to solve it.

 

As for colour I quite like the Dark Blue, but what is it called/paint code.