3dlabprint spitfire mk iv
While the Mk IV's speed suffered from new American emissions regulations, it did feature a notable revision to the car's rear suspension, which remedied the oversteer common in earlier models. The Mk III saw an increase in top speed and acceleration thanks to the new 75 horsepower engine. The Spitfire went on to see three more revisions, the Mk III debuting in 1967, the Mk IV in 1970, and the Spitfire 1500 hitting the roads in 1974. Top speed crept closer to 100 mph, and acceleration was significantly improved, the 0 to 60 time dropping by almost two seconds. Horsepower was increased thanks to engine tuning, a redesigned camshaft, and new intake and exhaust manifolds.
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The car was a popular option for drivers seeking an affordable but fun roadster, and the model stayed on the market for the better part of two decades.ġ965 saw the introduction of the Spitfire Mk II. While British cars of the '60s (and other periods) have a reputation for failing to hold up, the Spitfire's success went unhampered by such issues. RELATED: This Is How Much A Ferrari F40 Is Worth Today
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External door locks and roll-up side windows were pleasant upgrades from what could be expected on similar cars like the Bugeye Sprite, though, and the driving experience offered by the Spitfire was by no means an unpleasant one. The steering wheel was inexpensive plastic, and floor mats were simple rubber designs. With a focus on the economy, the Spitfire's trim options were not extravagant. As no six-cylinder version ever appeared as might have been planned, the Spitfire 4 moniker was phased out as insignificant. Even in subsequent versions of the car, the engine always remained an inline-four. In its first iteration, the car was referred to as both the Spitfire Mk I and the Spitfire 4, in reference to the I4 powerplant. of torque, enough to propel the sub-1,600 pound car from 0 to 60 in 16.4 seconds and up to a top speed of a respectable 92 mph. The first Spitfires sported a small 1,147 cc inline four-cylinder engine. The steering and front suspension from the Herald remained unchanged on the new sportscar. The older saloon's drum brakes were replaced upfront with discs, and the body was made stiffer to aid in performance around the corners. Lightweight, small size, sporty styling, and a name pulled from the famous World War II fighter plane combined to make the car an instant hit sold in the hundreds of thousands.Įntering production in 1962, the Triumph Spitfire featured a few improvements mechanically when compared to the Herald on which it was based. However, the two-seater Spitfire convertible was one of Triumph's crowning achievements.įirst sold in 1962 and staying in production for a whopping 18 years, the Spitfire embodied the essence of the mid-century British convertible. Many know the company either for its popular TR series, which was built throughout the 1950s, '60s, and '70s, or for its early days as a motorcycle manufacturer, which led to the establishment of the separate Triumph Engineering Co. If the small British sports cars of the early '60s are the topic at hand, though, the chances are that it's one of Triumph's classic roadsters, which you will picture. The lumbering luxury of American automobiles of the late '50s is perfectly expressed in the wide, tail fin sporting design of the Buick Invicta. The mere mention of the early days of the European supercar conjures thoughts of the sleek lines of a Lamborghini Miura. When you think of classic cars, certain images come to mind certain associations that are too strong to be avoided.