1977 Triumph Spitfire 1500

According to the original brochure, the Triumph Spitfire 1500 is a true sports car whose classic lines express 'the harmony of power and grace which is the car's hallmark.' The brochure boasted that the 1,493 cc engine is strict on fuel but generous on power. Developing 71 bhp at 5,500 rpm, 'the sharp, confident accelerator can take you up to the 100 mph mark,' while the optional overdrive is reported to allow 50 mpg.

The Triumph Spitfire 1500 was produced from 1974 through 1981, with a total of 95,829 examples produced. The engine was a 1493cc four-cylinder engine mated to a four-speed manual gearbox with optional overdrive on third and fourth. The engines destined for the American market received a single Zenith-Stromberg carburetor and a compression ratio of 7.5:1, allowing it to run on lower octane unleaded fuel. Other markets had an 8.0:1 compression ratio. The cars sent to America also were given a catalytic converter and exhaust gas recirculating system.

In 1976, the compression ratio was raised to 9.1:1 for the US market, which was quickly reduced a year later to 7.5:1.

The Triumph Spitfire 1500 American-based car had large plastic over-riders and wing-mounted reflectors on the front and back wings. 1978 models were given chrome bumpers, replaced in 1979 and 1980 with black rubber bumpers with built-in over-riders.

by Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2012