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Topic starter
20/03/2021 10:40 am
BRITISH SPORTS CARS - 1971Spitfire MK IV by Vitesse
My association with a 1971 Triumph Spitfire goes back to Christmas 1988. Totally unexpectedly, my wife surprised me with this car as a Christmas gift. It was hidden in a neighbour’s garage and I got presented it with a huge bow on Christmas morning.
I joined the Toronto Triumph Club and used the Spitfire in club events until acquiring my Mazda Miata in 1994. I then sold the Spitfire to a friend who still has it.
Events included car tours, concours shows with judging, gymkhanas and a few short races at Shannonville in Eastern Ontario.
Loved the car but I did spend a lot of time on upkeep (shocks, spring replacements, engine tuning, replacing tires and constant waxing and polishing), likely as much as I spent driving. The Miata provided similar fun without the upkeep requirement. I still miss this car however.
Snippet from the web
History of the 1971 Triumph Spitfire Mk IV
The 1971 Spitfire Mk IV was a brilliant re-design by Giovanni Michelotti that improved the roadster in almost every degree. ... The rear was cleverly reshaped to resemble the TR6 and Triumph Stag, with large rear lights within a Kamm tail.
20/03/2021 4:50 pm
I have no direct association with Triumph other than I liked them and thought they are cool. I do have a few in my collection but don’t know much about them.
65 Triumph white (Dinky)
65-67 Triumph Mk II (Vangard)
72-80 Triumph Dolomite (Vangard)
Frank Reed
Chesapeake, VA
Topic starter
20/03/2021 5:04 pm
Hi Frank,
You have a few interesting Triumphs here. That Dinky white one is a Triumph Tr4 or 4A (4A had independent rear suspension but otherwise looked the same). They were made from 1961 to 1965. The second Vanguard one is a Triumph Spitfire Mark II which was made from 1965 to 1967. The hardtop was an optional extra. The Dolomite Saloon by Vanguard is as labelled. I have the Dinky and Vanguard Dolomite in my collection as well. Thanks for sharing these.
Frank Reed and Frank Reed reacted
20/03/2021 5:13 pm
@david-green Thanks. I just edited the typo on 76 to 67 as you point out. Just reading up on Triumph, quite a story.
Frank Reed
Chesapeake, VA
20/03/2021 6:45 pm
@frank And don't forget the Triumph Italia coupe which used TR3 mechanicals with an Italian body. Gee, I must be on a British-Italian kick today with this and the Innocenti cars
.
John F. Quilter
Eugene, Oregon USA
Topic starter
20/03/2021 7:00 pm
That British-Italian collaboration in build and design was really significant. Some great cars came out of it. Thanks for reminding us all about it.
20/03/2021 7:21 pm
Here's one seldom seen, a Triumph Stag by GTA, a short-lived offshoot of Minimarquee
John Kuvakas
Warrenton, VA
Topic starter
20/03/2021 7:31 pm
Fantastic model JK. Love the dash and wheels. I have not seen this one before. I only have the Dinky Toys one from the 1989 issues.
Yours is the same colour as the only full sized one that I ever drove. Thanks for this.
John Kuvakas and John Kuvakas reacted
20/03/2021 8:23 pm
Here is the little presence of Triumph in my collection...
TR2 -Vitesse; TR4 IRS -Spark; TR6 -Minichamps-
Herald Coupé -Silas- & Vitesse Six -Neo-
Stag by Vanguards.
2000 2.5 PI by Neo
GT6 -Spark- & Spitfire -Minichamps-
Cheers
Keko Romero Sánchez
Cádiz, Spain
http://kekomovil.blogspot.com
20/03/2021 9:55 pm
The 59-60 TR3 is my favorite look. 😎
Frank Reed
Chesapeake, VA
David Green and David Green reacted
22/03/2021 11:14 pm
And Triumph made station wagons???
Herald estate, Bijou resin transkit for a Vanguards. Triumph 2000 estate (blue), white metal kit by Abby Classics. Triumph 2.5 estate (white) custom made from a Vanguards
John F. Quilter
Eugene, Oregon USA
Topic starter
23/03/2021 9:43 am
Back to the 1971 Triumph Spitfire Mark IV, here is a British racing green one by Minichamps.
While I love the colour as it is the same as my 1994 Mazda Miata, Triumph never made this car in this colour.
Karl Schnelle and Karl Schnelle reacted