I did it again: added a 1968 Triumph Spitfire MK3 to the stable

[Cees Klumper]

Since totally restoring a 1972 Lancia Fulvia coupe isn't enough work already, yesterday I bought a '69 MK3 that needs a ton of work. I had one when I was 19 so it's nostalgia combined with satisfying the need for a second major project during the pandemic. It needs all new floors, a convertible top frame + canvas (used frames can be had for around $250), paint and some bodywork (other than the floors there's no rust to speak of), and tons more. The engine runs sweet, it drives, shifts and brakes but that's about it. Bought at $1,200 I figure it needs maybe $2-3K in parts, a couple hundred hours and she should be good as new again.

[MikeSimon]

When I was in High School, there was an ad about something that showed a red vintage military coat that had a large button on it which said - "I am a sucker for punishment".
You need that, Cees
I liked the Spitfires in their days. Better than their sister car, the MG Midget.

[kampala]

Cees

Don’t know how you do it - you got guts.  Might be a Dutch thing.

Have always loved those spitfires. 

Thought you were in the Marina - I now see Long Beach.  Very different. 

Enjoy

[Cees Klumper]

Hi Kampala - yes, we decided to move from our boat in the Marina to a more conventional living arrangement, which came with a 2-car garage which in turn tempted me to undertake these two restoration projects. We still have the boat and expect to move back in two or three years, when this pandemic has hopefully been sorted out. Let me know if you want to stop by anytime, I can show you how the Dutch (try to) tackle all-out restorations, haha.

[dirkbalter]

Cees,
was about the same age when I had one as well 30 some years ago. It was my whole pride.
Dirk 

[Cees Klumper]

Thanks Dirk - fun little cars, even with 'Lucas - the Prince of Darkness' lurking beneath the hood ... I wonder how it will feel like driving a Spitfire after all these years. I first had a Mark 3, then I had a Mark 4. Supposedly the Mark 3 has a peppier engine.
My wife keeps saying how she will enjoy driving it a lot more than her BMW Z4 35i that we just sold a few hours ago, and I keep telling her she's in for a big surprise, comfort-wise, and how the manual gearbox is not all synchronized and all that, but we'll see.

Here's a few photos:

[66andBlue]

.... I figure it needs maybe $2-3K in parts, a couple hundred hours and she should be good as new again.

... says the professional fraud investigator or repo man!   
Happy welding Cees!

  {https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=31996.msg232182#msg232182}

[zak]

Looks like an easy resto job, Cees.....

[Peter van Es]

Ambitious...

[Mike Hughes]

Looks like a good solid project, and from the burnt paint it looks as if it has been a southern California car all its life.  As a dedicated M.G. guy (current count: six), I am reminded that back in the early 70's one of the north American Triumph clubs was selling bumper stickers that read:  "All parts falling off this car are of the finest British craftsmanship!"  ;^)

[Cees Klumper]

Thanks Mike. As far as I know, it was indeed a CA car always, the second owner I bought it from said the first owner lived in the Valley (north of LA) and it has almost no rust except for the floors.
The 'me taxi' plates refer to the taxi-yellow color.
This is definitely not an economically viable project, but I will have fun (and no doubt frustration) with it all the same. At least parts prices are reasonable.

[Mike Hughes]

It will be fun to bring it back to snuff, and even more fun to drive when you're done.  My brother-in-law had a white one for a time, introducing me to the joys of changing plugs while sitting comfortably on a front tyre.  I have friends who have kept their Spits for decades, re-restoring them occasionally to keep them on the road.  In addition to Moss Motors up the coast from you (https://mossmotors.com) you may find that The Roadster Factory (https://www.the-roadster-factory.com) is a great resource for all things Triumph.  (No involvement with either business, other than buying parts to keep six M.G.s running 'til the road wears out!)

[Bonnyboy]

Congrats on the Spitfire - they are sure fun to drive.   

I just started working on my MGB again after it sat patiently while I got married, had kids, did the British Bike thing and then the Harley thing and then built up the Pagoda.  Very patient indeed.   

I can say working on small british cars is very refreshing  -  I'm cutting up panels, welding up things,  picking up parts off Craigslist and having a ball.   Working on the Mercedes was like it was asking me "are you completely certain that you have the correct tools and knowledge to do that?"  wheres the MG is saying "me too,  me too - I want to be pretty".

 

[mnahon]

Nice Cees, congratulations. One great thing about restoring a spitfire is that it's a super-easy car to work on. everything is basic and accessible.

I had one for 42 years, and learned to live with and love its ups and downs. Below is a picture of mine (in standard british car pose), around 5 years ago when I got it out of 15 years storage. I brought it back to life; drove it for a couple of years, and decided I didn't have the energy or garage space to maintain two old cars, and sold the spitfire last year. I opted for comfort (the Pagoda), but I do miss tearing around in the spitfire.

I admire your energy and courage, taking on these projects. I hope you'll keep us posted on the restoration.  Will you keep the original colour? I think you should. Those bright colours were period accessories.

[Cees Klumper]

Thanks Meyer, for posting your own history with the Spitfire. Your story attests to the car's appeal. Yes, will keep the original yellow color,  my wife has claimed the car and offered to help with the restoration on condition that the yellow is retained. Will gladly post progress from time to time although the Spit will have to wait its turn until the Lancia is done unfortunately.  Not enough space in the garage to work on both at the same time.  But work on the Lancia is progressing well,  I am almost finished with the metalwork at the front (about 17 pieces fabricated and welded in place so far on the chassis, floors and sills) and hope to move to the rear after this weekend. Then it's onto the fender patch panels and all the interior, engine/other mechanical, and paintwork. Am sure learning a lot!

[Rolf-Dieter ✝︎]

Wishing you much fun with the project Cees and not too many hidden problems.

Dieter

[JN]

good luck it looks like a nice project!

JN

[Cees Klumper]

I just bought a spare 4-speed transmission with an electric overdrive unit (that I always wanted in my old Spitfires), new transmission mount, bellhousing, together with a convertible soft top frame that I need. All for ... $400. Just more fun when parts are reasonably priced. For a Pagoda, I believe soft top frames go for upwards of $3,000.

[Merc_Girl]

I had two ‘Spittys’, a few years apart.

Always loved them and so easy to work on.

Would have loved a MK3 back in the day but out of my price range

Enjoy the resto’, are you going to put the GT6 engine in 😉😁

[zak]

Cees, there is a beauty blue Lancia Fulvia on sale on BAT right now.
Is it yours ??

jz

[Cees Klumper]

That is indeed a nice blue Fulvia. No, not mine, I am still working on it. But I am now 'on the way up' having finished the chassis and bodywork (must have created and welded in place over 30 metal repair sections plus welded in 4 new, and slightly wider HF spec, fenders). Detail work and very important to do just right, but I think I managed well. Have started to thoroughly clean, 2K prime and bodyshutz the underside and inner wheel wells. Hope to have the body back to bare metal in a couple of weeks time so I can paint it (filler, epoxy, primer then urethane single stage paint). Have done a ton of work on the loose bits, gas tank, exhaust system, rebuilt master brake cylinder, made new fuel lines, the list is endless. Have around $10K worth of new parts to go in, it's going to be a new car when done. The Spitfire is waiting patiently. Have also been side-tracked a bit by my son's '73 240Z -replacing exhaust system and worn suspension mounts, shifter mechanism, electricals- as well as my '90 Bronco II. That had started to drop its coolant into the oil so last weekend I took off the V6's intake plenum + manifold and heads. Found the likely cause: only hand-tight intake manifold bolts on one side. Refit it all with new gaskets, and reset the valve lashes - also found some small vacuum leaks here and there. Now engine is much smoother and quieter, and no more coolant loss.
Will be interesting to see what the Fulvia goes for. Prices are all over the place on BAT - yesterday I watched an Alfa Romeo spider go for something like $18K when a carbon copy of it is available on Craigslist LA for $6K.

[Cees Klumper]

Enjoy the resto’, are you going to put the GT6 engine in 😉😁

No, not a GT6 engine for this Spitfire. They are just fine in standard form. If I would want a 6 cylinder Triumph it would have to be a TR6 ...

[Cees Klumper]

I started on the Spitfire. Figured I would do the bodywork and paint now, while I am waiting for FEDEX to find my package of parts from France for the Lancia Fulvia. It was sent on December 17 and is still in transit someplace, they don't know where it is but it did clear customs last week (....).

I removed the windshield frame to replace the seal that goes in between the frame and the body, and found some rust at the bases. Today I spent a few hours removing the paint from the bonnet/hood, that was a bear. Tomorrow should be able to finish sanding and start applying epoy primer/sealer and then high-build urethane primer. The midnight blue single-stage urethane paint is already waiting. I am hoping that by Sunday evening it will have its new coat of color.

[mdsalemi]

Always loved the Spitfire! Are you planning on keeping it?

[BobH]

The second car i bought was a 1966 dark blue Spitfire, back in the 70's, it didn't have a straight panel anywhere, i think it must have been used for bumper cars, or a learner, i thought i was the bees knees driving around in that

Then i had a dark red TR6, and then a dark blue TR6, and then a Dolomite Sprint, i used to like the Triumphs