Triumph Spitfire MkIIICoordinates 47.6584652,-122.3474261
Picture dated June 2008
The Triumph Spitfire is a small English two-seat sports car, introduced at the London Motor Show in 1962. It was developed to compete in the small sports car market opened up with the introduction of the Austin-Healey Sprite.
The vehicle was based on a design produced for Standard-Triumph in 1957 by Italian designer Giovanni Michelotti. It was based on the Triumph Herald saloon platform, and was manufactured in Coventry.
The Spitfire was an inexpensive small sports car and as such had very basic trim, including rubber mats and a large plastic steering wheel. It was an 1147 cc 4-cylinder, 4-speed manual with optional overdrive on top and third from 1963 onwards. These early cars were referred to both as "Triumph Spitfire Mark I" and "Spitfire 4", not to be confused with the later Spitfire Mark IV.
In March 1965 the Spitfire Mark II was launched. It was very similar to the Mark I but featured a more highly tuned engine. The exterior trim was modified with a new grille and badges and the interior trim was improved with redesigned seats and by covering most of the exposed surfaces with rubber cloth and the floor with moulded carpets.
The Mark III, introduced in March 1967, was the first major facelift to the Spitfire. The front bumper was raised, as well as the front coil springs being slightly raised. This was in response to new crash regulations.
In 1970 the Mark IV brought the most comprehensive changes to the Spitfire. It featured a completely re-designed cut-off rear end, giving a strong family resemblance to the Triumph Stag and Triumph 2000 models, both of which were also Michelotti-designed.
For more information see here.
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