Paul Geithner’s 1978 Triumph Spitfire 1500

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This is my 1978½ Triumph Spitfire, which I purchased in March, 1994.  I performed most of the renovation work myself, including reassembling the engine, modifying and rebuilding the suspension, remodeling the interior, and fabricating various pieces.  Bodywork and most of the paint job, a special differential rebuild and many assorted parts are from my good friends at Mountjoy's Autoshop in Hyattsville, Maryland.

Most of the work you see on this car was accomplished in a concentrated burst of activity between March 1994 and June 1995.  I’ve made some changes since, but mainly I've been enjoying it by driving it as often as practical (I particularly like having the hardtop on in winter).  This car transforms my commute from a stressful chore into something fun and therapeutic.
 

Performance:

1765 lbs (w/o driver)

peak torque: 90 ft-lbs @ 3000 rpm (est.)

peak power: 78 bhp at 5200 rpm (est.)

acceleration (0 to 60 mph): 12.2 seconds

1/4 mile: 18 seconds

fuel economy: 25 to 35 mpg; frequent commuter car


engine:

1493 cc displ
acement, 8.3:1 compression (s/n FM110221UE)

remachined block, standard bore and 0.010” grind crank, w/ Vandervell trimetal bearings

AE Hepolite flat-top pistons and wrist pins on stock connecting rods

unmodified late stock head (p/n TKC3239) w/ 1.55:1 rockers on AE Tuftrided rocker shaft

stock 1500 cam (see Triumph Spitfire cam specs)

Lucas 45DM4 distributor w/ Pertronix Ignitor® LU-147 ignition module & Flame Thrower® coil

Spark Transfer International #146 spark plug wires

10° BTDC spark advance at 900 rpm idle (w/ vacuum advance temporarily disconnected to set timing)

EGR from valve cover to carburetors (upstream of throttles)

15W-50 Mobil 1 synthetic motor oil

stock flywheel


Fuel & Carburetion:

twin S.U. HS-4 carbs w/ Grose-Jet float bowl jets

ABD needles and "red" dashpot springs w/ 10W-40 motor oil for dashpots

manual choke

UK-spec 'large bore' S.U. HS-4 intake manifold

custom fabricated aluminum heat shields

salvage fuel tank rinsed w/ phosphoric acid and restored w/ POR-15 fuel tank sealer

new fuel level sender unit


exhaust:

Maniflow 4 - 2 - 1 header (p/n LM037)

S&S stainless steel 1 3/4 inch GT-6 intermediate exhaust pipe w/ resonator

(SpitBits p/n TH130)

Cherry Bomb Oval Turbo II muffler w/ 2 inch offset inlet, 2 inch center outlet

(JC Whitney p/n ZX502055A)

Hedman Hedders chrome resonator tailpipe tip (p/n 17120)


Heating & cooling:

stock radiator and stock viscous-coupled fan w/ 180°F thermostat

stock passenger compartment heater






drivetrain:

new clutch kit (clutch/pressure plate/throw-out bearing)

new clutch master and slave cylinders

rebuilt single-rail transmission w/ J-type overdrive (s/n FT23342)

using 30 wt non-detergent motor oil

new splined sliding-shaft type driveshaft

rebuilt 3.89:1 differential w/ brass thrust washers using 80W/90 sulphur-free gear oil


suspension & brakes:

FRONT:

250 lb/inch, 10 inch free length coil springs from Suspension Spring Specialists

(results in 7 inch installed length with car resting on level ground, lowering the front by about 1 inch from stock for improved suspension geometry and overall level stance)

Koni “Special” shocks (p/n 80-1388) adjusted 3/4 turns above full-soft (i.e., about 1/3 stiff)

Addco 1 inch anti-sway bar (p/n 707) w/ reinforced mounts on A-arms and frame

wheel alignment: -1.8° Camber, 1/16” Toe-in (stock Caster)

drilled and slotted rotors and standard brake pads

remanufactured brake calipers and braided steel flex brake lines

REAR:

stock transverse leaf assembly

Monroe Max Air® air adjustable shocks (p/n MA785) w/ Schrader valves mounted in trunk for independent adjustment 

wheel alignment: -3° Camber, zero Toe (stock Caster)

stock brake drums, standard brake shoes and braided steel flex brake lines


wheels & tires:

Superlite 14x6” 'minilite' style aluminum wheels with 18mm positive offset (4.2” backspace)

185/60-HR14 Yokohama Avid H4s tires (500/AA/A rating)

35 psi inflation pressure





frame & body:

stock frame (body number plate missing) w/ reinforced front anti-sway bar mounts

inner edges of front fenders turned up and rounded to provide clearance for tires

dark British Racing Green with twin Arctic White Shelby style stripes

strip sanded, three coats Deltron epoxy primer, three coats Glasurit one stage urethane

hand sanded with 1200 and 2000 grit, then buffed with 3M microfinishing compound

AMCO vinyl soft top and “summer” soft top cover

salvage factory hard top w/ “winter” soft top cover

rechromed front bumper, w/ early (small) plastic front underriders (a la UK look)

rechromed stock rear bumper w/ outer C-channel and other hardware removed (a la UK look)

refinished door handles, painted gloss black enamel

refinished windshield top rail, de-chromed and painted gloss black epoxy

salvage early round fuel lid

stock bonnet prop rod removed and replaced with two Sachs Stabilus Lift-O-Mat® gas spring struts

(p/n SG125002)


electrical:

AC-Delco 7127-9 alternator and aftermarket chrome alternator bracket

group-58 size battery

55W driving lights mounted on spoiler, switched separately from headlights

stock harness and fuse panel, dressed in plastic wire loom





interior:

refinished used Moto Lita 13.5 inch semi-dished steering wheel

refinished factory walnut dash: stripped, bleached, restained, marine satin polyurethane

additional Smiths classic gauges:

   new dual mechanical oil pressure (0-100 psi)/water temperature (80-230°F)

   salvage voltmeter (from TR6), placed in stock temp gauge location

   new clock

new ABS plastic transmission cover

center armrest modified into a flip-top storage compartment and armrest

stock tunnel trim, kneepads and radio facia removed

Pioneer CD-AM/FM head unit DEH-P3800MP mounted in custom homemade aluminum and walnut radio facia

iPod and Sirius IP bus adapters for Pioneer head unit

Pyle 6.5 inch rear speakers and Infinity midrange/tweeter home theater satellite front speakers

Jensen Amplified Marine AM/FM antenna (p/n AN150SR) mounted at base of windshield in front of ashtray

homemade panels (doors, quarters, rear, trunk) of 1/8 inch Masonite covered in vinyl

doorcap trim removed and exposed surfaces painted body color

aftermarket sewn cut-pile carpet kit

plastic dash overlay

rebuilt glove boxes with vinyl-recovered kneerails

refinished trunk with homemade cut-pile carpet lining and spare tire cover

 

click image for more photos