Purchase of Spitfire 1500 1981

[peter fox]

Good morning.  My first post on this forum so hope I'm in the correct section?

I'm looking to purchase my first Spitfire.  It's a 1981 1500 in what seems like good condition.  Photos attached.

I've been to have a look and noticed a little bit of rust and a small hole in the boot where the seam in the middle meets  the area where there's a dip in the floor. (Photo attached of area but not from this car) Also, a little bit of rust at the bottom of the nearside windscreen pillar at the end of the drain channel.  Floors and sills look ok although the offside rear outer sill has a bit of rust showing around the bottom of the wheel arch where the sill begins but internally that area and floor look fine as does where the radius arms connect.  Bit of rust on the offside door but bottom of door looks ok, just the outside bubbling up.  Also bit of rust at bottom of b-post along top of sill.

Engine runs fine and drives ok.  4 speed box nice and smooth.  Brakes in a straight line, drives straight and new interior.  Accelerator peddle a bit stiff but could be the actual pedal itself?

It's had new diff, driveshafts and brakes etc on 78000 miles with a bit of service history mainly the last 15 years which is how long current owner has had the car.  All mots during that period with no advisories. 

Looking for a car I can enjoy now and slowly restore myself over time.

Looking at £5000

What do you think?

Thanks

Peter

Edited November 18 by peter fox

[Paulfc]

Hi,

I’m sure folk will be along soon with advice and guidance (I’m not a Spitfire man).

I would say, ensure you see it with the hood up.

Paul

[Paul H]

Mot till May 25 with minor advisory and mot history with no reference to chassis issues so that’s a good start 

Paul 

 

[Pete Lewis]

looks a sound enough and presentable car where you can take your time to TLC the areas you have spotted 

good start for a drive and fix as time goes by

Pete

[Stratton Jimmer]

I think £5k doesn't seem unreasonable. Rust noted in all of the usual places!

[peter fox]

Thank you for your comments

[Graham C]

£5000 seems a good price.

When was it last repainted, restored?

A car of this age will have rust spots especially if the restoration was some time ago.

To run a classic, unless you have a lot of money then you must be prepared to work on the cars, treating rust spots, getting your spanners out! It is the fun of having these cars. At least the last 15 years have been with one owner of I read your comments correctly. History is worth something.

The boot welding looks rough and may need attention to tidy up.

The question you need to ask yourself is, do you have the time and willingness to work on the car?

Graham

[Dick Twitchen]

12 hours ago, Graham C said:

The boot welding looks rough and may need attention to tidy up.

In his intro Peter says the photo was not from this car.

From the description and photos looks a sound basis for some classic fun.

Dick 

[Graham C]

Sorry mis read it.

Graham

[peter fox]

I intend to work on the car myself to get it as good as new eventually.  White in colour with a light blue interior.

Having dropped a small fortune on my Stag this time around I intend to say it’s all my own work and enjoy the journey it takes me on.  The long and winding road…

Edited November 20 by peter fox