1980 Triumph Spitfire

Triumph Spitfire (1980)
for sale

Price: US $2,500.00

Description:


Here is a 1980 Triumph Spitfire 1500. I am the second owner having now owned it for close to five years. Also included is a parts car, same year, same color. I have the titles for both. The good car has less than 30, 000 original miles (barely, because I keep adding a few more for short trips around). Details below. Please ask me any questions you have and I will do my best to answer them within a day.
The Good:
Main Car:
It runs, handles well, shifts cleanly. I put it a new starter. Local British car repair shop got it “road ready” at the beginning of the summer, replacing brakes, doing a complete check-up and $2k worth of stuff (I have the details somewhere, but basically a tune-up, brakes, and check-up since I hadn’t driven it in around 2 years). There is no rust. The mechanic was very surprised and stated that he hadn’t seen a rust-free body in years. It has been garage kept and only wet while being washed. Original paint. Most things are original except the carb, which was replaced by previous owner (see pics). I love this car, but I don’t spend time with it like I want to (more details below on that).
Parts Car:
The parts car doesn’t run. The parts car wasn’t kept as nice by the previous owner having been stored outside. So most of the interior was trash. I kept everything I thought was of value, and most of the engine is still in place, although I would be very suspect of it. Why am I listing this as a “good”? Because my intention was to take the best parts of both cars and combine into one. Didn’t get that far, but I have gone through the labor of removing and keeping all of those parts, which are all included in the listing if the buyer wants them. There are more parts than I can list or take pictures of, but complete and good bonnet, doors, trunk, etc. This car was stored under a tarp in my driveway, a sore spot with my wife.
The not as good:
Something is pulling from the battery. I have disconnected the after-market radio which was definitely pulling on it very quickly, but since then, there is a slow pull. Also, the driver seat has a rip and the driver’s seat belt connection is banged up. Probably can be fixed, but haven’t had a chance to spend time on it. Also, looks like the previous owner put a battery in that was too big and it shorted across the hood. So there is a little discoloration on that portion of the hood. There is also a small dent on the front right headlight area (not noticed before), so not sure if something in my garage fell into it, kids bumped into it, or what, but it is small.
Why am I selling it?
I have had a lot of fun with it, but realistically am not going to be able to spend the time I want with it for the next 5 years or so, until my girls go off to college. As much as it pains me, I would rather the spit go to someone who is going to enjoy it versus having it sit in my garage (and driveway for the parts car). So I figure, I will give someone a chance to drive it and own it, and will look for another one in 5 years.
Of note:
This car is 35 years old. If you are looking for a pristine car, this ain’t it. It needs work on the interior, probably a new coat of paint eventually (although I like that it is original) and some other stuff that goes along with a very original 35 year old car. Having said that, it is a ton of fun. Something about driving a large go-kart like car is a blast. While I have driven it up to 70 mph, personally, I like driving it on the back roads at 35-40 around curves, etc. Really gets a sense of driving that way.
Also, final bid is for the main car. As a bonus, I will include whatever parts you want from the parts car before I have it towed away. NOTE: whatever you want has to fit within the winning car so please don't ask for the engine or the bonnet - that's not realistic. If you don’t want any parts car parts, that ok by me. Whatever's left I may try to list on eBay or Craigslist, but will need to determine that later. There are tons of extra parts. Not only the parts that I removed from the parts car, but also, the previous owner of the working car had good intentions as well, which he did not act on. Stuff like a new manifold, new wooden panels for the dash, new dash cover, and other items.
I included pictures of the parts car as the last few pictures. If you are wondering where the parts are, they are in boxes on shelves in the garage. I did not have the space within eBay to include all of the pictures I took. Also, tags are not included.
I had previously listed the car for $4000, but no takers. I am motivated to sell it because I need the space in my garage ideally before winter fully sits in.
The working car really needs to go to a home for someone who can take a diamond in the rough and take it the rest of the way. I just don’t have the time. Maybe I will buy it back from you in 5 years. J

update: 2015-11-16

Features:

Condition:UsedYear: 1980
Number of Cylinders: 4Make: Triumph
Transmission: ManualModel: Spitfire
Body Type: ConvertibleMileage: 29,700
Warranty: Vehicle does NOT have an existing warrantyExterior Color: Orange
Vehicle Title: ClearInterior Color: Black
For Sale By: Private Seller

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