Triumph - Triumph Spitfire
The Triumph Spitfire sportscar was based on a shortened version of the Triumph Herald backbone chassis which was clothed with a Michelotti body design, along with higher compression pistons and twin carburettors for its 1147cc engine. The Spitfire had been in prototype form under the Standard-Triumph company, but it was not until Triumph becaame part of Leyland that there were sufficient funds available to get the Spitfire into production. The Triumph Spitfire range was continually uprated from when it became available in 1962 until production ceased in 1980. The Spitfire Mk.2 introduced in 1964 had a revised cam and other changes to further increase the power. Next change was in 1967 with the Spitfire Mk.3 that now had the larger capacity 1296cc bigger bore engine. The Mk3 looked different because it was raised up considerably and then the front bumper was also raised higher up the body, all this so the Spitfire could conform to US regulations, along with a Kamm type tail. These later Spitfires also had a folding hood, and other refinements such as veneered dashboards, all synchromesh gearbox, higher differential ratio and improved rear suspension. For 1970 the Spitfire Mk.4 changed shape with it's boot looking more like the Triumph Stag, and for this there was also some further redesign on the rear suspension to try and eliminate the worst effects of the swing axle design. Finally in 1974 came the Triumph Spitfire 1500 which was produced in to 1980. This was the most powerful Triumph Spitfire to date, even in the new world of emission control, with yet more development work being done on the rear suspension which improved things enormously.
Triumph Spitfire tyre size was originally 5.20x13 with a 3.5" wheel, with a wider 4.5"J optional wheel. The radial tyre size equivalent was 145R13 size which was later fitted by the Triumph factory as well. By 1974 the Spitfire Mk4 was fitted at the factory with the 145R13 from new. Blockley produce an excellent full diameter "80 profile" steel belted period correct looking 145R13 tyre - see details below. For the last 2 years of production the 175/70R13 size was also used so for those with the wider wheels fitted, and for these we have the Blockley 175/70VR13 tyre. Our Blockley tyres are guaranteed to transform the handling - see full details of these tyres below:
