Kirk's Spitfire Page
The mileage spikes are due to lost data, NOT incredible mileage! |
Here are some fairly current pictures of my 1968 Spitfire 4 Mk III. I have owned this car for
years. I bought it from a junk yard for $500. I have fixed it up twice now. It still needs a little work as you can see by the missing grill and letters.
Since these two pictures were taken, I have installed the grill, and I traded the two amber parking light lenses for white ones with another Spitfire owner.
I like the back of the early Spitfires like this better than the newer ones. Here you can see that it has the insignia, bumpers and hood for a Mk II, but other parts of the car are Mk III. During the original restoration I was using a Mk II as a donor car. Thus this one is sort of a Mk 2/3! I do like the Mk II bumpers better than the Mk III ones, so I'm happy!
Recently I had my radiator recored. (it over heated) This is the original core. Pretty plugged up huh? Click the picture for an image of the entire length of the radiator. I don't think any of this stuff would have come out in a "boil" off.
Here are some pictures taken shortly after my first restoration. I think these were taken probably in 1983. I actually like this color better than the current color.
Do you have suggestions on the easiest / best way to clean this wheel? (Click it for a larger pic) If so,
email them to me.
Open the bonnet! (hood)
Repairs/Modifications:
- Electric Fuel Pump. (I am on my second one) The car didn't have a fuel pump when we brought it home.
- Repaired body
- New
Corbeau
GT Seats. I still have the original ones, but they need to be reupholstered. At this point, the driver side new one also needs reupholstering.
- Carpet (twice)
- Paint (Twice)
- Tires (I am on the second set now)
- Replaced Rubber gaskets (including windshield gasket. Boy was that a bear!)
- Painted interior
- Replaced front hood. This is the major item that led to the second restoration. I rearended someone. No damage to the other car, but my hood was destroyed.
- Replaced rotted out passenger floor area.
- Transmission repair
- Transmission replacement with 1974 unit with J type Overdrive! Much better on the freeway! Had to modify transmission mount for this one.
- Driveline shortened (for the longer transmission/OD unit)
- Installed flashing hazard light circuit. Not sure if this still works.
- Horn Replacement (air horn)
- Generator brush replacement (twice)
- Battery replacement (twice)
- Clutch Hydraulic System replaced.
- Rear Wheel Cylinders replaced/kitted multiple times.
- Twin SU carbs replaced with Down Draft Weber. Can you say Automatic Choke and Starting Reliability and Much less Tuning! Hoo Ray!
- Heater Valve replaced
- Replaced light in speedometer 5/98
- Replaced brake shoes and pads (found one scored drum) 5/98
- Installed
Speedbleeders
found that they don't fit on the front, so I have to two for ones with longer necks. 5/98
- Installed new Headers and Exhaust. It is now 2" all the way back. 5/98
- Replaced Freeze Plugs 9/98
- Repaired Transmission & Clutch - Synchros, throughout Bearing, Clutch, Pressure Plate 10/99
- Re-Cored Radiator 10/99
Upcoming Repairs/Modifications:
- Install new Exhaust Manifold Gasket
- Install new coolant
- Install two
Speedbleeders
on the front calipers.
- Replace left rear drum. It got badly scored. Do you have one available?
- Fix Transmission. (it grinds when shifting into second and sometimes third)
- Install new Turn Signal Indicator
- Install Seat Covers or have Driver Seat reupholstered
- Horn repair. My horn circuit has an intermittent short in it somewhere.
- Install Tonneau cover. I have a new one, I just have to install it.
- Negative Ground Conversion. I have no radio anymore. Before I install a new one I would like to convert to negative ground.
- Buy & Install Radio and CB. Possibly a CB too.
- Convertible Top. This car never came with a convertible top. I have the removeable fiberglass top. I'm not even sure if this was a stock item. Anyway, I have a convertible top frame and the little tubes that the frame slips into, All I have to do is mount the tubes, and buy a convertible top.
Spitfire Links:
Send comments, suggestions to:
Kirk Crawford
Triumph Section
