Miata Inside: 1976 Triumph Spitfire

The biggest problem with driving a 90s Miata is that everyone knows it is fun, reliable, and easy version of a classic British roadster. While an MX-5 might be a great car for a curvy road on a fresh spring day, it doesn’t get much attention or street cred at your local classic car night.  So, how do you marry the piquant reliability of an MX-5 with the buttery visage of a classic British roadster…well..you need a Spitfire, a donor MX-5 and a torch. Find this 1976 Triumph Spitfire with MX-5 running gear offered for $7000 in Santa Teresa, NM via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!

From the seller:

1976 Triumph Spitfire

condition: excellent

cylinders: 4 cylinders

drive: rwd

fuel: gas

odometer: 95000

title status: clean

transmission: manual

type: convertible

1976 Spitfire “Mark X” built in 2016 with a 1999 Miata 1.8 liter engine with 140 h.p. doner components, the doner car only had 95,000 miles it’s like driving a modern car with the beauty of vintage styling:

• Miata 6 speed transmission.

• Miata clutch master cylinder

• Miata power assist brakes including Miata rear disk brakes

• Miata instrument cluster with all working instruments and indicators

• Miata fuse box and Miata PCM under the left side dash

• Miata adjustable steering wheel with switches for: ignition, lights, turn signal, wipers, and horn

• 96000 miles on the engine and transmission

• Miata 3 point seat belts

• Miata Catalytic converters kept in place including all original emissions equipment so passing an emissions test should not be a problem (I live in a non-emissions county so I did not have the car tested)

• Miata in-tank fuel pump

• Miata OBD connection available for engine status check under the right side dash

• Miata second fuse box under the left side dash and in engine bay

• New Clutch

• New windshield/door/hood/trunk rubber seals

• 240sx open differential with independent rear suspension

• Adjustable rear coil over shocks

• Bluetooth radio with phone connectivity

• New 14” tires

• Clean and clear New Mexico title

• Front hubs re-drilled to 4 x100 lug pattern same as rear

• No check engine light

• Custom hood scoop to make room for taller engine

• New upholstery and top and reconditioned and painted top frame

• Electric door opener from the inside

• Frame slightly modified and under-body painted

• Hood reinforced to prevent the “hood wobble when opening

• Gas tank relocated in trunk to make room for suspension components

• Heater works

• Battery in trunk

• This is a modified customized vehicle therefore the air bag in the steering wheel is not operable. Care has been taken to assure all modifications were done professionally, however the vehicle is being sold as-is no warranty stated or implied. The cars runs great with no problems for the current owner other than those noted here

• This is a “no worries” car that will start even after months in storage because it has all modern componenets.

• The cons:

• Wheels are hand painted for appearance since it was my intention to buy a new set, but I decided to keep these from the doner car

• Paint match not done correctly at rear right lower quarter panel (see pic)

See a better way to drive something classic and new? tips@dailyturismo.com