On Wed, 1 Jul 1998, Lars Dybwad wrote:
>
> > Hey, I'm an absolute beginner and know very little about the Triumph
> > Spitfire cars. I guess you veteran owners are tired of people like me,
> > but I can tell you I really love the car and I'm currently planning to
> > get one.
Your interest is the primary factor here. As for "tired of people like
me" -- don't worry about it. Even us "seasoned veterans" started somewhere!
> > I have a firm offer on a 1966 Triumph Spitfire, but it's supposedly
> > not in very good condition (it runs, though)...
> > [Is it] practically possible for me to learn by myself and the Triumph
> > community enough to fix up this car?
Absolutely. If you have any mechanical ability and even the most basic of
hand tools, you're most of the way there. Currently, I'd recommend the
following:
1. stay with the list, of course!
2. try to find a book on basic automobile systems and their repair
3. once you have the car, purchase a factory workshop manual and/or
another workshop manual devoted to the Spitfire (Bentley, for example, is
pretty much a reprint of the factory book; Haynes, Autobook, etc., are
all useful as well)
4. join a local and/or "national" club devoted to Triumphs or perhaps
specifically to the Spitfire
> > And what are the major points to
> > consider when buying a car like the 66 Spitfire?
If you're uncomfortable with your own mechanical ability, the best thing
to do is to take with you someone who knows the cars well. Very
basically, you're looking for major rust that affects the structural
integrity of the car. Spitfires remain "driveable" despite extensive
rust, but some body rust can make the car unsafe to drive, even if the
chassis frame appears intact. For example, the radius arms that locate
the rear half-axles mount to the body, not the frame. This can be an area
where rust could prove fatal. And, although these cars often were not
assembled when new with the precision of more modern cars, body panels
should line up reasonably well, etc.
Otherwise, a potential checklist could be very long. In short, see if the
car runs, drives, shifts, steers and stops well. Check that all or most
of the electrical items function. Watch for excessive or constant smoke
from the tailpipe, and check that various fluids are the color and
consistency they should be. For example, oil should not have mixed in
with coolant, nor coolant with oil. Either indicates potentially serious
engine problems (head gasket blown, cracked block, etc.)
Needless to say, there is much more to it. There is a fair amount of
"buyer's guide" information at the VTR web site <www.vtr.org>; again,
having someone with you who knows cars is a real help (more so if they
know Triumphs).
Good luck, and let us know if/when you get the car.
--Andy
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* Andrew Mace, President and *
* 10/Herald/Vitesse (Sports 6) Consultant *
* Vintage Triumph Register *
* amace@unix2.nysed.gov *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
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