bobm@hp-pcd.UUCP (04/11/84)
* I'm looking at buying a 75 Triumph Spitfire 1500. I'd be interested in hearing about experiences, opinions, serviceability, etc. I have heard that they don't have a very good reputation, but the engine and trans were rebuilt ~10K miles ago, the body is in great shape, and I'm in love with the combination hardtop/ragtop! Thanks. Bob May Hewlett-Packard Corvallis, Oregon (so what do I want a ragtop for?) ...!hplabs!hp-pcd!bobm
chim@ncsu.UUCP (Bill Chimiak) (04/13/84)
My brother owned a '76 Triumph Spitfire. If this is an example of British engineering, steer clear of all such cars. The main bearings had to be replaced with less than 40,000 miles. What was worse is that the replacement bearings were not the proper size so that the engine had to be yanked out a second time. We had similar problems with the rings having improper tolerances. SPECIAL brake fluid has to be used, the pollution equipment plugged up so badly that the performance was impaired until we could isolate the foul up. In short, take it if it is given to you free with a purchase of a hamburger and french fries, but don't pay anything for it. Bill Chimiak
rs55611@ihuxk.UUCP (Robert E. Schleicher) (04/16/84)
I can second the comment made about Triumph's needing special brake fluid. Triumph's (and perhaps other English cars with Lockheed/Girling brakes) use natural rubber seals in the master cylinder, calipers, drum brake cylinders, etc., instead of the synthetic (neoprene?) used in most cars. Unfortunately, these seals can be permanently damaged (leading to leaks) by normal DOT 3 brake fluid. You need to find brake fluid rated at DOT 5. The only brand I could ever find was Castrol/Girling brake fluid. I learned this lesson the hard way, after having to replace every seal in my TR-250's brake system. Bob Schleicher ihuxk!rs55611 AT&T Bell Laboratories, Naperville, Ill.