Amphletize Posted January 19, 2018 Report Share Posted January 19, 2018 Hi all, I've just joined the forum and can see it's the done thing to say hello! After a quick look around it seems the wealth of knowledge here is invaluable and you all seem like nice chaps. I don't own a Triumph just yet, but I have a hankering for a Spitfire, I've loved the way they look for years and having rented one in the South of France last year on a holiday my mind is set! I have a couple of viewings lined up this weekend, I'd ideally like a 1500 but if the perfect MK IV comes along at the right price I could be swayed! The dream really is for a Spitfire/GT6 conversion but I think that would be out of my budget. I don't have much experience in mechanics, but part of my want for a classic is so I can learn and get my hands dirty, something which I think this forum is likely to help with! Anyway, hello, nice to be here, speak soon! Simon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougbgt6 Posted January 19, 2018 Report Share Posted January 19, 2018 Simon, Welcome! Hants & Berks area meet at the Crooked Billet in Hook, 1st Tuesday of the month. 10 minutes from Basingstoke. Worth a visit, you don't have to be a TSSC member, just turn up. A few threads on here about Spitfire/GT6 conversion, what's required and lately, will we loose tax exemption because of the modification? Doug 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul H Posted January 19, 2018 Report Share Posted January 19, 2018 Welcome Simon - great forum and ive learnt a lot over the last 18 months Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted January 19, 2018 Report Share Posted January 19, 2018 welcome to the mad house , if youre low on hands on stick to a base car , a modified will give you all the why what who when problems arise, start with a IV or 1500 and get to know it , pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amphletize Posted January 19, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 19, 2018 Thanks all! I may just pop down to the Crooked Billet soon. This question is probably quite wide, but what are the main advantages / disadvantages of the 1500 over the IV and vice versa? I understand the 1500 engine can be less reliable but I'm not expecting any car of this age to run problem free forever, I've found limited information about differences in the rear suspension too, although I must admit I haven't searched that hard so far. Maybe looking for subjective views also, to get a flavour of experiences or opinions. Simon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted January 19, 2018 Report Share Posted January 19, 2018 Think IV and 15 can have a swing spring and longer drive shaft, wider rear track, 1300 is revy and fun 1500 long stroke lots of torque , but can suffer big end wear, dislikes being thrashed Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amphletize Posted January 19, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 19, 2018 Thanks Pete. I know of the posted 0-60 times and top speeds but is there a noticeable difference in performance and drive-ability? The 1500 I have driven was lovely and a lot of fun, although the scenery may have added a shine to the whole experience! Of course I will test drive any car I'm considering before purchase. Simon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted January 24, 2018 Report Share Posted January 24, 2018 Hi Simon and welcome. One small point to add about performance - what is your intention with the car? 0 - 60 times and handling limitations are all bandied about but are you ever intending to race or fast road your car? I have a MK1 GT6 and when it's at a show, all the pundits knowingly laugh about poor handling etc however it rarely goes above 60 mph, so why worry? As Pete says the 1500 may dislike being thrashed, but are you intending to thrash it, or just drive it about, enjoy the scenery, and hopefully the good weather? Sometimes here we seem to be swamped by the go-faster brigade - speed, speed, speed, handling, cooling, more cooling, when many of us have no interest in racing and just prefer to sit back and enjoy a more relaxed ride. Here's hoping you find a good one - let us know! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amphletize Posted January 24, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2018 Hi Colin, You make a good point! I'm not looking for a performance car, otherwise my money would be going elsewhere I guess! I'm looking for the smell, noise and the occasion, and the experience of owning a classic, ups and downs! I saw a MK IV and a pretty beaten up 1500 the weekend gone, but I have high hopes for an orange 1500 I'm seeing this weekend. I'll be sure to post back once I find what I'm looking for! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Posted January 25, 2018 Report Share Posted January 25, 2018 Se if I can "help"! All the mkIV and 1500 had the "easier to live with" swingspring. The early mkIV had short driveshafts, and at some point they fitted longer ones, which continued into the 1500. Long shafts handle a little better, but neither are a problem (caveat: as long as everything works properly) Re the engines. The 1500 is much torquier, and certainly pulls better than the 1300. Its limitations are being revved for extended periods over 4500rpm. But as long as you buy an overdrive equipped car (well worth the extra cash) then you can happily cruise at 80mph all day. The 1500 has a longer diff ratio which helps. If no overdrive, you will still be safe at 70 all day, but it won't be as pleasant. The 1300 will rev better, but just won't feel like it wants to pull away as well. Driving both will explain it better. Now, I would STRONGLY suggest making friends at the crooked billet before going too much further. Knowledge is everything when buying, and the common mistake is join a club etc only after a car has been bought. That can be locking the stable door once the horse has bolted.... Besides, people at meetings sometimes know of cars that may be for sale. And don't join a club yet, decide which one will meet your needs most... And thinking about it, Spitfires are great cars for doing a spot of Continental touring. Next time, just take the spitfire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougbgt6 Posted January 26, 2018 Report Share Posted January 26, 2018 Clive! 4500?! My car rarely gets above 2000. I drive to the pub/meetings/shows and pose in the general vicinity of the car. What else is there ? But Simon, like I said before, and as Clive confirms, get down to the Crooked Billet. Doug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tricky Posted January 26, 2018 Report Share Posted January 26, 2018 Welcome Simon. I’m pretty new myself, rebuilding a Mk3 GT6. The guys on here are excellent and really helpful.....so long as you pay up to join the club. Otherwise they send the boys round....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyTV8 Posted January 28, 2018 Report Share Posted January 28, 2018 Welcome Simon ...... personally I consider 1500or 1300 Spitfires in pretty-much the same way, mostly a question of whether you prefer the earlier or later styling. I’v driven 1300MkIV’s, 1500’s, MkIV’s with a 1500 engine and 1500 with a 1300 engine....... the one mechanical item I would always look for is overdrive! then it is simply down to condition - bodywork is always a bigger draw on your wallet than the oily bits which really are nice and easy to work with. all the best with your search.... the more you look at the clearer it will be when you are standing in front of the right one ....... Andy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amphletize Posted January 29, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 29, 2018 Thank you for the welcomes and advice guys! I've seen a few now, and I may have agreed to buy one :-) An orange 1500. More information will follow! Yes, I know I haven't been to a meeting (I'm not too good at socialising) but I'm confident I've got a solid one. Simon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyTV8 Posted January 29, 2018 Report Share Posted January 29, 2018 Excellent, well done! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amphletize Posted February 8, 2018 Author Report Share Posted February 8, 2018 As promised, here is my '78 1500, picked it up last weekend and looking forward to much tinkering as well as driving! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Qu1ckn1ck Posted February 8, 2018 Report Share Posted February 8, 2018 I am sure that you will have some fun in your new toy ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted February 8, 2018 Report Share Posted February 8, 2018 Well done! The matt black wheels are unusual but they suit the orange colour. I haven't seen glass so clean and clear in a long time, certainly not on my cars... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amphletize Posted February 8, 2018 Author Report Share Posted February 8, 2018 Thanks Colin! I was attracted by the colour scheme as I hadn't seen orange on black on a Spitfire before, the hardtop was a bonus too, especially for the 2 hour drive to get it home! Unfortunately the picture doesn't show up the scratches on the driver's side window, it does need replacing, although I haven't tried cleaning and polishing it properly yet, the windscreen's in good nick though! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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