Triumph Spitfire

Triumph launched the original Spitfire at the 1962 Motor Show. It was initially called the Triumph Spitfire 4; the 4 referred to the number of cylinders, not the model number. It was an elegant, small sports car styled by Michellotti. Although aimed at the same market as the Austin-Healey Sprite, it appeared more sophisticated and stylish. Initially it had a larger, 1147cc, engine with more power than the Sprite's 1098cc. The first Spitfire was also slightly more expensive.

The Spitfire also came with wind-up windows, quite a luxury for small sports cars of the time. The penalty was that the cockpit was cramped for larger drivers and passengers, especially when wearing heavy clothing. This was also a criticism of later Sprites and Midgets when wind-up windows were fitted. The Spitfire also had proper door handles and locks on the outside, giving it a significant advantage over the contemporary Sprite and Midget.

The early Spitfire's cockpit was rather spartan. The floor was covered with rubber mats, rather than carpet and the seats looked thin. The Spitfire had a Mini style centre instrument cluster, with the normal sports car instrumentation: a speedometer, rev counter, fuel and temperature gauges. The instruments would have been better directly in front of the driver. However, the central arrangement may have been for ease of manufacture of left and right hand drive versions. The US was an important market for British sports cars in the sixties.

The most controversial aspect of the Spitfire was the independent rear suspension. Motor magazine, testing an early car, found the handling safe and enjoyable. However, they did comment that when cornering at speed, the car's mild understeer changed to controllable oversteer. The Spitfire's swing axle suspension could cause the rear wheels to tuck in on sharp bends taken at speed. Motor also warned that long, fast curves needed to be approached with caution until the transition from understeer to oversteer had taken place. Generally though, the report was positive about the Spitfire's handling.

Motoring Which?, testing the same model, had different opinions. They claimed that the independent rear suspension could easily change the car's direction when cornering or driving straight on rough roads. On good roads the handling was mainly thought to be reasonable. The ride in the Spitfire was thought to be unsettling. It could pitch diagonally on straight roads and was continuously restless on bumpy roads. Motor also concurred with this last comment when testing a Triumph Spitfire Mk3 head to head with an Austin-Healey Sprite and a Honda S800. Which?, in their test, had no hesitation in choosing the Austin-Healey Sprite as the better car of the two.

Triumph Spitfire Mk 2 - 1965 to 1967

Like the Sprite and Midget, the Spitfire was continuously improved throughout the sixties. The Mk 2 Spitfire was launched in March 1965. It had a slightly more powerful engine: 67bhp instead of 63bhp. Inside the car had improved trim, which was criticised in the Spitfire 4 and carpets on the floor. There was also a revised grill.

This version competed against the Sprite Mk III, which had an improved 1098cc engine, wind-up windows and external door handles. It also had to compete against the much improved Sprite Mk IV which had the more powerful 1275cc engine and a proper folding hood.

Triumph Spitfire Mk 3

In 1966, the Spitfire became the Mk 3. This was the definitive 60s Spitfire. US regulations meant a change to the front of the car. Its raised bumper gave the Spitfire a different frontal appearance, known as the 'bone-in-the-mouth' grille. The Triumph Spitfire Mk 3 had a new 1296cc engine producing 75 bhp. It was now capable of speeds near 100mph. Like the Sprite Mk IV, the Spitfire Mk 3 had a proper folding hood.

This picture, left, shows the neat dashboard of the Triumph Spitfire which was common to the Mk 1 through to Mk 3, although the wood trim, a Triumph trademark, came in later in the 60s.

It was a pity though, that criticisms about the suspension were not addressed in this model. Spitfire fans had to wait for the Mk 4 model, introduced in October 1970, for this handling idiosyncrasy to be ironed out. Other Triumph models, the Vitesse and GT6 had been corrected earlier.

Motor tested the Mk3 car and were still reasonably happy with the handling. They warned that drivers needed to be prepared for a possible tail out moment if the car was pushed hard, or if the driver had to take quick avoiding action. Motoring Which? also tested this car and were not as critical as they were of the earlier Spitfire 4. This time they found it hard to chose between the Sprite and the Spitfire.

Triumph Spitfire Mk 4 and 1500

The Spitfire moved into the seventies with a complete makeover. It had a restyled tail which was the beginning of a new look for Triumph. In 1974, the Spitfire gained a 1500cc engine, also fitted to the now in house rival the MG Midget. This final version of the Spitfire was produced until 1980.