The Triumph Spitfire 1962-1981

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In later years the car was redesigned with
 a larger boot -similar to the Triumph Stag

One of the most novel American marketing ideas was a 
national painting competition for all Triumph sports cars

Thousands of entries were received, including
 a number of highly original pieces of artwork

A number of entrants  
used the Spitfire aviation theme 

Although most Spitfires are now at least 30 years
old, there are still many being driven on the road

The early models have now become collector's items
with those in good condition commanding significant prices

Spitfires were successful on the race
track in both Europe and North America

The Spitfire 1500 was launched in 1974 and
accounted for nearly 1/3 of all the cars produced

Multimedia stories from history

Film now showing
Selling Triumph Spitfires in
America in the 1960s and 70s

Although its rival cars were the MG Midget and Austin
 Healey Sprite, it was still very economically priced

Women were also heavily targetted in the advertising

The Spitfire car and plane together was
a theme used in much of the advertising

As with the other Triumph sports cars, the US
was always seen as the most important market

The hinged front opening bonnet was one
of the car's most recogniseable features

The Spitfire was overtly promoted as being a great outdoor car for the young and carefree

Duration of video: 2 mins. 57 seconds

The appealing Triumph Spitfire was a convertible two-seater sports car which was launched at the 1962 Earls Court Motor show and went on to become one of Britain's most successful sports cars.

It was brought out to rival the MG Midget and Austin Healey Sprite, but benefitted by  the success that Triumph had enjoyed for the previous 10 years with the more powerful TR series of sports cars. The Spitfire had a number of improvements on the other cars, including a hinged bonnet which tilted forward, providing unrivalled access for repairs and maintenance, four-wheel independent suspension and roll-up windows.

300,000+ sales
The chassis was the same as that used on the existing Triumph Herald, while the body was the creation of renowned Italian stylist, Giovanni Michelotti. The Spitfire name came straight from Britain’s successful fighter plane from World War 2 and was highly appropriate for a car which had universal appeal and managed to remain in production, in one form or another, for more than 18 years, with total production exceeding 300,000 -most of which were sold in the USA.

From the very beginning, the US was seen as the main target market, and in particular, the large number of increasingly affluent college students who loved the outdoor lifestyle and wanted a cool, economical car for transportation. Not surprisingly for a car aimed at the young, many of them were painted in bright colours, with yellow the most popular colour of all.

But by today’s standards the car was sluggish. The initial engine size was only 1147 cc, which resulted in a top speed of less than 90 miles an hour and took more than 17 seconds to reach 60 miles an hour. Over the years, though, this was improved significantly, starting with the Mk 2, which was launched in 1965 and which had a more highly tuned engine.

There were more improvements on the Mk 3, which was introduced in 1967, mainly due to the requirements of the US Department of Transportation. Their new safety regulations saw the raising of the front bumper, while US drivers now had the gauges in front of them, instead of being in the centre of the dashboard as before.

The Mk 3 also had a more powerful 1296 cc engine which ensured that 60 miles an hour could now be achieved in only 12.5 seconds.

Mk 4
The launch of the Mk 4 in 1970 saw many more changes, such as a redesigned cut-off rear end which had a strong resemblance to the larger and more expensive Triumph Stag. The interior was also much improved, including a proper, full-width dashboard. But the most significant change was to the rear suspension, which was de-cambered and redesigned to eliminate the unfortunate tendencies of the original swing-axle design. The Mark 4 Spitfire was also offered with a smart detachable hardtop.

Over time there were further improvements including reclining seats with head restraints, a wood-veneer dashboard, hazard flashers and electric washers.

By the mid 1970s, the American love affair with small British sports cars was beginning to wane, but this didn’t stop the launch of the final Spitfire incarnation, the Spitfire 1500 which hit the showrooms towards the end of 1974.

This car went on to become the most popular Spitfire of all, accounting for nearly 1/3 of all the cars produced. And of the Spitfires which remain on the roads and racetracks today, most of them are the 1500 variant, although all models, in good condition, have now noticeably increased in value and become ever more sought after.

The Spitfire was launched at the London Motor Show in
1962 with appearances at other shows soon following

Film provided courtesy of www.auto-history.tv

(c) Universal Motoring History Enterprises

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