[1979 Vermillion Spitfire 1500]

Thanks Mark, I was really surprised to see it chipping off, still painting but have a heated area and using anti bloom. Although going to leave anymore top coats until March now, not that much to go now. Then onto replacement Canley front hubs etc

[1979 Vermillion Spitfire 1500]

Evwrything then re-painted in celly, still working on this at the moment:

 

[1979 Vermillion Spitfire 1500]

So, what started to happen as the car was outside under a cover some of the paint started to chip off leaving just ecoat and this started to rust. It also included the screen frame so I have now stripped the car back down to bare metal and started from scratch  

 

[1979 Vermillion Spitfire 1500]

A few more:

 

[1979 Vermillion Spitfire 1500]

Refit of interior etc:

 

[1979 Vermillion Spitfire 1500]

Uploading from your phone is much easier, some more pics:

 

[That was a year that was..]

Catching up with your thread, TR looking good.

 

 

[1979 Vermillion Spitfire 1500]

I should also add that the gearbox is overdrive and was fitted as a reconditioned unit back in 89, overdrive is original, the engine is a reconditioned unit delivered by JOhn Kipping before he retired, yet to use that either  

[1979 Vermillion Spitfire 1500]

The finish was straight of the gun using celly and I had a go at re-veneering my dashboard, I'll post some progress of the refit. However its back in pieces again.

[1979 Vermillion Spitfire 1500]

So, fast forward another 10 years I shipped the car to my house from my parent's house as I was expecting a new Mini Clubman bodyshell from Motor heritage so had to make some space:

 

[1979 Vermillion Spitfire 1500]

I went with lots of upgrades on the car as I went through it including aluminium rear brake fins, Gaz shocks, lowered springs, vented discs, polybushes, new rear spring, new screen, elecronic ignition, kenlowe, oil cooler, servo etc etc. yet to drive it with most of this stuff on it  I used to run the car on dolly sprint wheels which were superb and a lot safer than the 155 tyres on the original car.

 

[1979 Vermillion Spitfire 1500]

A few more:

[1979 Vermillion Spitfire 1500]

The rear deck need a little bit of work but nothing huge. Changed the rear bumper for a new later one with the twin lights for the number plate, a friend had a brand new one in his loft.

 

[1979 Vermillion Spitfire 1500]

I picked up a replacement hardtop from spitbitz I think, same colour but does need a repaint, told you I was messy.

 

[1979 Vermillion Spitfire 1500]

So, I was very untidy years ago working on my car  tried to rectify that now but I guess it's easier as most of the time you were aimimg to get the car back on the road for the summer. The following grainy shots are from the second resto circa 98/99. The car had deteriorated quite a bit, I had let someone else patch it up to get it back on the road in 97 to help a friend but he didn't take any care with the work and welded in the thickest plate you could find. I decided to take it right back and fit all new panels including two new floors, sills inner, strengtheners, outer, door skins, new bonnet, new bootlid, basicall every panel except the rear wings:

 

[1979 Vermillion Spitfire 1500]

Hi everyone, long time Triumph fan and owner. I've owned this car since 1989. This was my only transport as a 19 year old in 89 and it was fantastic. It needed a full rebuild in 1990 having sucuumbed to rust and the usual BL gremlins. Having no fear at that age I took the body off, learnt too weld (badly) and spray paint and had a go. The car was back on the road in 12 months and served well right through to my first job when sadly a Maxi drove into the rear of the car in 1995. The temptation of a Peugeot 205 1.9GTi at age 25 was too much and the car sat on the drive until I repaired it in 1995 and used it briefly before parking it up again. Fast forward and I am now finishing it off along with other projects. The first picture (in the same very untidy garage) is from 1998 and the second (in a much tidier space) is from July 2022. I'll post some more pics of the previous work and the rectifying work I am completing now.

 

[Daily Spit 1500 body repairs & more..]

Superb work keeping this car on the road especially at 40+ years. Used mine everyday when it was just 10 years old for 7 years. Now working on getting it back on the road.

[Hi again!!]

Not been on here for a long while so thought I would say hello and take a look at the current restorations. Owned by Spitfire since 1989 and still working on it

[Any plans for more categories ?]

I guess this only goes to prove that we are all different. I prefer repeats if they are car specific. I know many will disagree with this but I have no interest in other models except the spitfire regardless of their obvious links. I imagine there are many who would prefer to discuss Heralds and issues relating to them in their own section. Why not cater for all, you still have recent posts appearing down the screen so it's covered for those who wish to use the search facility?

 

At the end of the day these are only suggestions (from 25+ years of triumph ownership), a bouyant forum gives potential members confidence in the club. I may even re-join

[Any plans for more categories ?]

How is it easy to rectify? I really do not see how. 

The club has not ignored it at all, they learnt a few lessons by making the forum open to non-members (a very positive step) and publicising the forum in the printed magazine. Links on the club webpage. What else is viable in terms of advertising teh forum? It will only grow if it becomes a valuable resource. And the way it is going it may take a while. Remember the CT and TRR forums are both mature and have a lot of traffic. That takes time.

 

To expand - separate forums for each car. It worked before and to be honest when I logged on for the first time in a few years I thought I had hit the wrong page. It looks like a sub-forum. A little bit of tinkering and it will be more welcoming. Opening to non-members has to be a must, I see no reason to close any section of the site to non-members unless you want to lose potential income. Member still receive the courier and other bits and pieces as part of their membership.

 

I hope it changes to support the development of the club.

[Any plans for more categories ?]

You have to admit it is very poor in terms of membership. An easy thing to rectify and it would certainly draw in potential members. The club should not ignore this, even the facebook page is busier, shame.

[Any plans for more categories ?]

Just re-joined the forum, what has happened? Only 400 odd members, a lack of categories and the wealth of information posted over many years has disappeared I've picked up the thread of it's all lost but what is going on? Used to be a member from as far back as 89 and wanted to dip into a few of my old posts??

 

I agree with the above points, the structure of this forum does not make you want to engage, you do need separate sub forums for each car otherwise it's almost pointless posting, just my two penneth.

 

Good luck.