My Yellow Spitfire

I've got a Stag!!

2006-05-31T14:57:00.000Z

I need to rename this blog, I bought a Stag last week, 1978 registered, Russet Brown, Auto, and I'm 'told' I need to sell the Spitfire as both my Classics are now taking up room in the garage, leaving no room for the wifes Ka.

the Stag is superb, bought it via auction for £3500, am now researching its history, a letter in the file of papers that came with it refers to a 'Harrington' tuned engine.

Watch this space

Its been some time!

2006-05-13T21:42:00.000Z

Its been some time since my last post, whats been happening this month? Well mostly using the car in the good weather, touch wood its been reliable, although I have noticed the brake master cylinder seems to leak fluid when its parked forward down hill - must check the cap seal.

My neighbours canadian nephew brought his newly acquired MkIV down to show him - quite a nice car with an originl 50k miles. I felt sorry for him as he's a bit hard up and gave him the steel hardtop that i don't use. Went out for the morning and came back to see it fitted perfectly on his car later in the day. He insisted in taking a photo of me with my car as he works for Classic & Sports Car magazine and wants to feature his car in the running reports part of the magazine - fame at last!

Couldn't get to the SEM, too much work at the weekends at the moment with weddings to register and houses/farms to show to clients - The spitfire always attracts +ve comments when I take it.

Had to sell a house to an MGB owner recently - but he was complimentary about the Spit!

More Brooklands Photos

2006-04-24T15:25:00.000Z

More pictures from the Triumph day at Brooklands yesterday - have now found the source of the leak on the windscreen frame of the Spitfire, removing the chrome trim revealed a complete lack of sealant! Got the sealant gun out and applied a liberal amount of clear silicone, with luck that should have stopped it, just nead some rain now as I can't use the hose!

Brooklands 23rd April 2005

2006-04-23T16:57:00.000Z

Pictures from a wet Brooklands- mostly Triumphs, plus the Loch Ness Wellington and the Sultan of Omans VC10!

MOT Update Part 2

2006-04-21T20:27:00.000Z

It passed! although there was some comment from my friendly MOT guy about the alloy rack mounts - in essence he doesn't like them!

Now to Brooklands on Sunday............ M25 here we come!

MOT Update

2006-04-19T12:59:00.000Z

Well the handbrakes adjusted, the new seatbelt on the N/S is fitted and the new rack mounts installed - just with a minor problem with the steering wheel alignment which has now been sorted. Retest is on Friday just before Brooklands on Sunday.

Also fitted my TSSC Hood on easter Sunday as it was a warm day - took most of the day - used fan heater to warm it up nicely, but can't say its the best fitting hood, but it is far better than the one I replaced - the vinyl is a lot heavier and patterned and it has a zip out rear window!

Bought a 1975 Motor magazine of Ebay last week - it has a comparison road test between the Spitfire and the Midget - good to read that the Spitfire wa the overall winner! - will post a scan of it soon.

2006-04-11T15:03:00.000Z

Well, got the car back from my friendly garage, it failed the MOT! Luckily only on 3 minorish items

1 - The handbrake adjustment - my fault, didn't check it beforehand
2- Passenger seat belt frayed - only seen when pulled right out - didn't see that coming!
3 - Steering rack rubber bushes need replacing. I thought they were OK as they were replaced 4 years ago by the previous owner.

So, Alloy rack mountings and seat belts are on order - will get down to the handbrake tommorrow - its too cold today! Can't wait to try and get the old seatbelt mountings out - must get plenty of penetrating oil before I start!

The good news is that the rest of the car is very sound underneath.

MOT Time

2006-04-07T19:29:00.000Z

Well I've finally bitten the bullet and booked the Spitfire in for its first MOT in my ownership. I've checked everything over, adjusted the rear brakes and now need to check the front wheel bearings.

Have been using the car at every opportunity and have to say (touch wood) its going very well despite the local Kent roads! I've now got a TSSC Club hood to fit but am waiting for the weather to warm up a bit.

Have been reading the 'Chinn incident' on the TSSC website with interest as a new ish member. Can only agree with many of Jasons comments and look forward to reading David Aspinall's considered response!

2006-03-08T13:49:00.000Z

Hi

This is my first post as a Blogger, I thought it would be useful to keep all my details here rather than on the TSSC profile as it's getting a bit busy there, so this is a Diary of sorts.

I bought my Inca Yellow Spitfire 1500 in July last year (2005) from a guy in Tunbridge Wells, He had bought it 5 years earlier from the person that restored it. SGC417R was subject to a restoration between 1996 and 1999. I have a large amount of bills from that period showing the bits and pieces that were bought. I also have the last 5 years invoices for repairs carried out by the last owner - he had spent roughly what I paid him for the car £2k

It is my intention to use the car as much as possible, although I tend to only use it in Dry weather as far as possible, although I have been known to get caught out in the rain!