[Spitfire 1500 WJX474R]

Had this car almost 3 years now.  I know it was restored around 2011 to 2014 looking at the history I have.

Not sure if anything was done to the engine at that time.  It goes pretty well for a car from 1977 so wondered if the engine was worked on.  Would love to hear from who ever did the restoration. Bit of a long shot perhaps but if you do not ask then you will never know.

 

[Tinkering with a Spitfire 1500]

1 hour ago, Paul H said:

Did you buy a refurb diff or do the work yourself ? 
Paul

Hi, I bought it from a guy who is local to me.  I don't have the skills or talent for that.

[Tinkering with a Spitfire 1500]

Had a bit of a drive out now I have a refurbed diff that replaces the old one that sounded like hell.

[Spitfire 1500 Differential]

Thanks all.  Think I am sorted with a replacement diff.

Ian

[Spitfire 1500 Differential]

7 minutes ago, johny said:

Can I ask whats wrong with yours?

Sounds like its about to self destruct.  It would have perhaps lasted longer with oil in it apparently.

[Spitfire 1500 Differential]

Hi

Afraid my diff is absolutely on its last legs.  

Have been looking for about a month no trying to find a second hand one with out joy.

Anyone have one in good condition at the back of the garage that is not needed and you would part with?

Thanks

Ian

[My GT6 Mk2 - on the Road!!!]

Very nice looking car indeed.

[Radio for 1977 Spitfire]

I just put a hidden Bluetooth amplifier in the boot of my spitfire.  Kept the old stereo that doesn’t work well as a nod to the pre Bluetooth days of old.  Works a treat streaming music from a phone.

[Well, that's never happened to me before...]

Pretty sure the originals are 40mm long overall.  I am in process of swapping over to 12mm Freelander studs and have just knocked a few of the old ones out.

[1975 Spitfire 1500 Restoration]

That is looking really good.

[Tinkering with a Spitfire 1500]

Have heard a lot of good stuff about them in the past.  

[Tinkering with a Spitfire 1500]

27 minutes ago, Pete Lewis said:

looking good .   just watch the rims dont foul on full lock but thats not going to be used very often , a tight turning circle puts a lot of extra loading all round 

have fun with adjustable shocks getting the bump and rebound balanced can be tricky 

Pete

Will have to check that, it was getting pretty cold so wheels on, quick picture and back in the garage for now.  got a couple more jobs on the front to do, want to rebuild the front brake callipers for piece of mind as much as anything else.  The car has really not done many miles at all over the last five years.

[Tinkering with a Spitfire 1500]

Not really a restoration project as ongoing maintenance and tinkering. 

Bought my 1500 Spitfire at the end of the summer and its not a bad car at all from what I can see but hasn't been driven much over the last years/  Looking forwards to changing that in 2021 but springtime feels a long way off yet.

As bought.

I wanted to lower the car, I felt like the rear was sitting a fair bit higher than the front so a 3/4" lowering block was fitted.

In reality perhaps the front was lower than it should have been, the coils looked pretty tight and the compressed height measured about 7 inches.  Rubber bushes were looking a little tired on the dampers.

So some new GAZ adjustable dampers and shorter heavier duty springs courtesy of Father Christmas.  Will help to start tidying up the front of the car as well.  Always fancied some of these style of dampers and thought why not treat myself.

I think the lower ride height at the back and sortign the front out has made a difference.  Looks more sorted to me at least.

I managed to get hold of a set of Cosmic 2 alloy wheels from Ebay, had to rescue them from the guys front hedge!  He advertised them as 5 1/2 inch wide, turns out two are 6" wide.  I am not going to complain about that, his fault for not bothering to check what he was selling.  Spent some time polishing and painting.  Tyres fitted today and on the car at last.  I am very happy with the result.

Plenty more little jobs to do in January, February, March to hopefully keep me out of trouble. 

[Frost Reverse Brake and Clutch Bleeding Kit]

I like this, a variation of the tube and jam jar... but less agro than asking my wife to pump the pedal

https://www.halfords.com/tools/hand-tools/automotive-tools/europat-vizibleed-brake-and-clutch-bleeding-kit-321141.html?utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=adgoal_eu&utm_campaign=phgreferral

[5 x 13 steel wheels wanted, Spitfire 1500 etc., to suit late non-rotoflex GT6]

Hi Roger

It sounds like the offset on yours is different to mine so wouldn’t match.

Thanks for getting back to me and good luck getting the wheels you want.

Kind regards

Iab

[5 x 13 steel wheels wanted, Spitfire 1500 etc., to suit late non-rotoflex GT6]

Hi Roger

I am looking for a set of 5.5 x 13 wheels for my Spit 1500, are they something you would consider selling?  I appreciate you were looking for a swap potentially against some 5" wheels.

Kind regards

Ian

[5.5J steel wheels wanted.]

I am looking for 3 or 4 steel wheels 5.5j to make up a set for my Spitfire.

The one I have is stamped 5.5 x 13 x 16 so they need to be 16mm offset.

If you have one tucked away that's not needed or know where there may be one then please let me know.  

Thanks in anticipation.

Thanks

Ian

[1975 Spitfire 1500 Restoration]

Those new wheels look pretty decent, nice to see something other than minilights!

[NEC Classic Car Auction online]

1 hour ago, Colin Lindsay said:

I thought that clutch pipe was a flexible version, but it's just a huge loop of metal pipe; it's a small point, as with the oversprayed door seals, but little things like this make you wonder what other shortcuts have been taken. Not difficult to put right, but for top money you'd think they'd have been done already.

Exactly, if you want top dollar then its got to be absolutley bang on and who knows what shortcuts or gremlins are under the skin.  

[NEC Classic Car Auction online]

If I was paying that much for a GT6 I think I would want it to be finished!  Things like the centre of the steering wheel boss missing is pretty poor... and overspray on the door seal are a couple of things that you would not think to see at that price point.

[The hood popper from hell]

I dont think Mohair will be on the Christmas list   that would cost me double...  new hood and an expectation of enhanced christmas presents from Mrs Radiation!

[The hood popper from hell]

It feels like it’s shrunk to be honest, they all feel like it needs a bit of force to pull the poppers to the right location.

That one popper doesn’t really feel like it pops when you do attach it compared to the others.

It’s perhaps easiest to try a new popper first as that’s the cheapest place to start.

Many thanks for the advice.

Ian

[The hood popper from hell]

Try as I might there is one popper on the hood of my spitfire that defies me.

It feels like the hood is a little too small. tried clipping this one first, last every combination but it refuses to stay fixed when the last popper is attached.

It looks to me like the hood is a little too small.

I did wonder if I could stretch the vinyl that last little bit with heat from a hair dryer or similar.

Any ideas on what I can do to sort this?

Thanks

Ian

[Worn out front springs?]

Thanks Clive.  

[Worn out front springs?]

I can’t think my front springs are good as there is so little distance between the coils.  The car doesn’t feel like it has hard springs on so it must be hitting the bump stops a lot.  Doesn’t feel like it drives badly but it cannot be right.