0
Been following this forum a while, just never got round to posting. One of the few forums actually where reading it answers questions before I've even thought of them! Also really enjoyed reading Daves blog when it was up, though I can't seem to find it at the moment? I recognise quite a few people here from other forums or websites I've been on.
Anyway yeah, the topics discussed and atmosphere really fit with my approach towards these cars, and reading some of the off-topic threads, life in general as well. I really like the approach of continually improving things and solving problems, as opposed to keeping things original just for the sake of it.
Here's my car - 1978 Spitfire 1500:
kudos anyone who figures out where I took the above photo. Previous owner did a total nut+bolt rebuild on it 7 years ago, so its in superb nick mechanically and not a spec of rust, though the sills had already been done before he got it and they're not quite perfect. Knew that when I bought the car but didn't really care as I didn't even have a driving licence at the time, assumed it would need bodywork repairs if I hit something (fortunately I've not) and would give me an incentive to learn welding. Put aside all the money my mates were spending on beer and weed at uni and decided instead of wasting it on excesses, when I left I was gonna buy a Spitfire and learn to drive, just managed to do the former a bit quicker! That was September 2009, I passed in December 2009 at 21 and have now just turned 23.
Had some headaches with the car when I first got it as the carbs were due for a rebuild, stripping them and replacing the throttle discs+shafts+jets+needles was my first big job. The electronic ignition and distributor went and were replaced with a new points dizzy. I tried a cheap ebay electronic ignition but it packed up after 200 miles, though managed to change back to points by the roadside. Apart from that, my work on the car so far has included -
- all service-related stuff
- changing steering wheel
- changing radiator for full width
- made the original seats heated! (best mod by far)
- fixing sticking brake calipers
- installed electric fan behind rad + controller
- installed thermostatic oil cooler
- installed bonnet locks
- wired up an immobiliser that uses magnet to reactivate car
- ditched that when i went for a remote alarm system + immobiliser
- installed central locking (with above that's remote too)
- rebuilt passenger parcel shelf in alloy
not to mention the usual electrical gremlins, fixing leaks, applying more waxoyl and repairing bits that break or fall off from time to time. Ive learnt quite a lot, considering 2 years ago I didn't know what a carburettor was.
Having blown most of my limited funds on the above, I've barely got the cash for more upgrades however I do have a bit of a to-do list for what Im intending to do with the car eventually:
- as time goes on replace the suspension bushes with polyurethane
- put decent shocks on it
- replace certain parts with lightweight alloy ones
- make a flip-up center arm rest from alloy that illuminates on opening
eventually though, the big aim I have is to go for Megasquirt EFI with ignition control.
Right now I'm going to settle with Megajolt, getting that working smoothly then when I hit 25 and will no longer be easy meat for insurance modification price hikes, pass on the MJ to my Dad for use in his TR6 and get a Megasquirt box to do both fuel and ignition.
Since it's a bog standard 1500 (even the block is original to the car), I probably won't even change the camshaft (if I do itll be MK3 grind at most), just using EFI to get an exceptionally well running road car with a bit more smoothness, torque and economy compared to how it is now. The car runs fine but the previous owner hardly changed a thing from original spec, I think 175/70s and a new rocker cover were the only things hes really changed.
Oh and before I forget, I have my own site that I set up to list interesting articles/modifications/videos etc that I tend to come across, it's not big but you might find it handy - Triumph Spitfire website. Thats where I sent those links above to for the things I've done so far.
Edited by RichardBaines, 18 July 2011 - 01:03 AM.
View Garage
