Needs Keys: 1978 Triumph Spitfire 1500
This next car comes as a tip from Zach who writes; If only there were people who knew how to make keys. Or screwdrivers, this is a vintage British car, you could probably start with a key from a can of Spam. Mmmm, spiced ham. I’m hungry now. Find this 1978 Triumph Spitfire 1500 offered for $3,600 in Westminster, CO via craigslist.
From the seller:
1978 2 door convertible
condition: like new
cylinders: 4 cylinders
drive: rwd
fuel: gas
odometer: 20600
paint color: orange
size: compact
title status: clean
transmission: manual
type: convertible
Showroom quality car . Always garaged. Has been in storage for three years so it does not run and will need to be towed. Financial reasons force sale Price slashed because I cannot find the key. This car when running again is easily worth $8000-$10000. Serious buyers only. Cash only
See a better way to get into a late 70s big bumper classic? tips@dailyturismo.com
I should’ve included this with the original submission – bumper shrinkification – http://faculty.cas.usf.edu/garey/triumph/Bumper%20Conversion%20for%201980%20Spitfire.pdf
This ’78 Spitfire doesn’t have the aesthetically questionable rubber bumpers, so your conversion wouldn’t be needed. Funny thing though: I did this conversion to a hooptie ’80 Spitfire I owned to mount the bumpers from a ’77. Took a lot of weight off the front end so I also had to cut the springs to level it. Looked great, drove great.
In my opinion, this spec Spitfire with the rubber caps on the chrome bumper is the best: they’re really stout but still have old world style. The earlier bumpers will become pretzels in any low speed collision. Ask me how I know.
The post-76 but pre rubber baby buggy bumpers still look pretty overwrought in person.
For the longest time Triumph used to stamp the key code for the key on the ignition switch for the convenience of anyone who needed to replace a lost key. On my TR3 I think there were maybe a few dozen different keys available and you could order them by number. For the Spitfire you need a blank and a locksmith who will take the lock apart to read the pins and grind a key. Blanks are available here. http://trf.zeni.net/webcatalog/featurekeys/index.php?menu=&page=8
Fun fact: 356 Porsches only use three different keys. My uncle used to have all three on his keyring to be able to unlock friends’ Porsches.
Actually, I used to just use a toggle switch until I got around to getting a key. I did the same thing driving a 1963 Galaxy in NYC when I lived in the east village. Had an interesting conversation with a cop who thought that there might be some requirement that you needed a key to operate your car but it turns out that you don’t. At least in 1989 you didn’t.
I think there was a column lock as of ’70 on the Spitfire.
Gone.
I think someone got a great deal.
No kidding. I didn’t even look at this post until I saw your comment in the recent comments list. That’s basically brand new.
It points out why it’s so great to have friends who can help figure these things out. I haven’t bought a car in years without a hearty email conversation first with Vince, CFlo and Hunsbloger (miss you, man). Doesn’t mean I still haven’t fupped duck, but my justifications sure have gotten better.
… bought or sold …
Anyway, the point I neglected to make was: If the seller had been my friend having “financial reasons”, I would have tried my best to help her/him get a lot more for such a nice car, which wouldn’t have been hard. At all.
true that and I dont even like his sneakers.