[Fot] Buying a Spitfire

[fubog1]

 Just a few things to check-Make sure "no rust" means no rust, any structural rust will be a $$$ job to repair, and yes the tub does provide some rigidity to the structure.Plan on full hydraulic rebuild.Check U-joints, rear axles, hubs.Drive if possible to see if the rear gear R&P whines or if diff gears have lash.Driveline vibrations?
Engine main bearings are prone to failure.Check crank end float.Compression check.Check gearbox for smooth shifts up and down and no excessive whine low & reverse.If the oil leak is directly @ L/H rear, coming from the head gasket, it's likely weeping from the oil feed hole to the top.The rest is pretty much basic car, and any old Spitfire is likely gonna be a project, so in that sense it sounds perfect.Re value, it would have to be a good solid running Spit for that $$, but that's totally subjective.I've long told folks who are getting into Brit sports cars, to try a Spit of Sprite/Midget first, to get a taste of it, and if one can deal with maintenance etc on one of them it's time to step up into a real sports car, a B or big TR, etc.(not to piss off any Spitfire owners...)
HTH.Glen
 
 
-----Original Message-----
From: Michael Moore via Fot <fot at autox.team.net>
To: fot <fot at autox.team.net>
Sent: Tue, May 28, 2019 12:16 pm
Subject: [Fot] Buying a Spitfire

 <!-- #yiv5547019323 _filtered #yiv5547019323 {font-family:"Cambria Math";panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;} _filtered #yiv5547019323 {font-family:Calibri;panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;} #yiv5547019323 #yiv5547019323 p.yiv5547019323MsoNormal, #yiv5547019323 li.yiv5547019323MsoNormal, #yiv5547019323 div.yiv5547019323MsoNormal {margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri", sans-serif;} #yiv5547019323 a:link, #yiv5547019323 span.yiv5547019323MsoHyperlink {color:#0563C1;text-decoration:underline;} #yiv5547019323 a:visited, #yiv5547019323 span.yiv5547019323MsoHyperlinkFollowed {color:#954F72;text-decoration:underline;} #yiv5547019323 p.yiv5547019323msonormal0, #yiv5547019323 li.yiv5547019323msonormal0, #yiv5547019323 div.yiv5547019323msonormal0 {margin-right:0in;margin-left:0in;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri", sans-serif;} #yiv5547019323 span.yiv5547019323EmailStyle18 {font-family:"Calibri", sans-serif;color:windowtext;} #yiv5547019323 span.yiv5547019323EmailStyle19 {font-family:"Calibri", sans-serif;color:windowtext;} #yiv5547019323 .yiv5547019323MsoChpDefault {font-size:10.0pt;} _filtered #yiv5547019323 {margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;} #yiv5547019323 div.yiv5547019323WordSection1 {} -->Looking for a little help.    My brother-in-law is looking at a 76 Spitfire, he has never owned a British car, but wants a project to work on together and learn with his son who is into cars.    I told him the usual maintenance, etc. story. But I don’t know much about Spitfires.    Looked over the car quickly yesterday, body is in good shape, no visible rust except battery box. Interior is old but decent. Will need brake job (really spongy) and rebuild front suspension.    Leaking oil at rear of head gasket (not valve cover) so a replacement will be needed.    Seller is asking $5500.    Is this a decent price (not adjusted for above items)? Is this a good or bad year to buy?       Thanks, Mike    62 TR4, Race car 63 TR4, Street car    Mike & Becky Moore 6050 Ruhl Road, Fairview, PA 16415    mmoore at mtmcpafirm.com       _______________________________________________
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