Triumph Spitfire Mk IV
Overview
| Produced: |
1970-1974, 70021 produced. |
|---|---|
| Types: |
Sports,2 doors,2 seats |
By 1970 the Triumph range of cars all featured a "family look" make-over from the Italian stylist Michelotti , this covered the 2000/2500, Stag and now the Spitfire models. The new look Spitfire became known as the Mk IV and featured a new front end and a squarer tail style which made the car look slightly more aggressive and grown-up. It went on sale in the UK at the end of 1970 with a base price of £735
The engine continued at 1296 cc, but in 1973 was modified with larger big-end bearings to rationalize production with the TR6 2.5 litre engines, which somewhat decreased its "revvy" nature; there was some detuning, to meet new emissions laws, which resulted in the new car being a little tamer than the Mark III. Peak power was reduced to 63 bhp (47 kW) at 6000 rpm, and the peak torque was now 69 ft·lb (94 N·m) at 3500 rpm. With the overall weight also increasing to 1,717 lb (779 kg) the performance dropped as a consequence, 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) now being achieved in 16.2 seconds and the top speed reducing to 90 mph (140 km/h). The overall fuel economy also dipped to 32mpg The gearbox gained synchromesh on its bottom gear.
An all-new hardtop was also available, with rear quarter-lights and a flatter rear screen.
The MK IV stayed in production until the more powerful 1500 arrived in 1974.
Buyers Guide Triumph Spitfire (1962-1980) featured in Practical Classics September 2009 – available from our sister site Bookbase. Click here to view.
The engine continued at 1296 cc, but in 1973 was modified with larger big-end bearings to rationalize production with the TR6 2.5 litre engines, which somewhat decreased its "revvy" nature; there was some detuning, to meet new emissions laws, which resulted in the new car being a little tamer than the Mark III. Peak power was reduced to 63 bhp (47 kW) at 6000 rpm, and the peak torque was now 69 ft·lb (94 N·m) at 3500 rpm. With the overall weight also increasing to 1,717 lb (779 kg) the performance dropped as a consequence, 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) now being achieved in 16.2 seconds and the top speed reducing to 90 mph (140 km/h). The overall fuel economy also dipped to 32mpg The gearbox gained synchromesh on its bottom gear.
An all-new hardtop was also available, with rear quarter-lights and a flatter rear screen.
The MK IV stayed in production until the more powerful 1500 arrived in 1974.
Buyers Guide Triumph Spitfire (1962-1980) featured in Practical Classics September 2009 – available from our sister site Bookbase. Click here to view.
Source: Motorbase
Engines
| Capacity | Config | Model | Bore/Stroke | CR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1296cc | S4 OHV | Standard/Triumph S4 OHV | 73.7mm x 76mm | 9 |
Fuel System
| Type | Number | Capacity | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| SU 1.25inch | 2 |
Drivetrain and Suspension
| Drivetrain | Steering | Front Suspension | Rear Suspension |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rack-and-pinion | Independent/Coil Springs | Independent/Transverse leaf spring |
Performance
| Top Speed | 0-60 | SQM | MPG | Engine Pwr | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 93 mph | 15.9 s |
Brakes
| Front | Rear | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Disc | Drum |
Auction Sales History
Books
Magazine Articles
| Title | Pages | Options | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Article |
Buying Guide - Triumph Spitfire 1962-1980 |
114 |
 |
|
| Publication | Practical Classics September 2009 | |||
| Buying Guide - Triumph Spitfire 1962-1980 - One of the cheapest ways of enjoying open-top motoring. | ||||
| Article |
20 great classics do battle |
56 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic Cars November 2005 | |||
| 20 great classics do battle - There's never been a showdown like this before. 20 of the most popular classics of all time go head to head at the Classic Cars test track. How does your favourite fare? | ||||
| Article |
Buying Guide - Triumph Spitfire (1962-80) |
100 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic Cars April 2003 | |||
| Buying Guide - Triumph Spitfire (1962-80) - Triumph's Spitfire is affordable, pretty , simple and fun, so it dosen't need to be a road-burner to appeal. It can be bought and run cheaply, uprated easily and give excellent service, provided you follow the advice in this guide. | ||||
| Article |
Buyers Guide - Triumph Spitfire |
80 |
|
|
| Publication | Practical Classics May 2000 | |||
| Buyers Guide - Triumph Spitfire - For years it's been virtually invisible to the classic car world, but Triumph's Spridget rival is finally entering the limelight. Mark Dixon explains why. | ||||
| Article |
Buyer's Guide - Triumph Spitfire |
162 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic & Sports Car March 2012 | |||
| Buyer's Guide - Triumph Spitfire - Michelotti's fun baby sports car still makes a bargain practical classic 50 years after the launch, reckons Malcolm McKay. | ||||
| Article |
Summer scorchers |
8 |
|
|
| Publication | Classics Monthly July 2010 | |||
| Summer scorchers - Three old favourites take on a trio of young upstairs in the battle of the classic soft-tops... MGB, Triumph Spitfire, Lotus Elan, Toyota MR2, Mazda MX5, MGF. | ||||
| Article |
Buying Power - Triumph Spitfire 1962-1980 |
56 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic Car Weekly 9 June 2010 | |||
| Buying Power - Triumph Spitfire 1962-1980 - The Triumph Spitfire brought affordable open-top motoring to the masses, and it still offers superb value today if you buy wisely. MATT GEORGE points you the way to get a good one. | ||||
| Article |
Buyers guide - Triumph Spitfire |
104 |
|
|
| Publication | Classics Monthly October 2007 | |||
| Buyers guide - Triumph Spitfire - As a bargain sportscar, the spitfire ticks all the boxes. | ||||
| Article |
Six Of The Best Classic Triumphs |
59 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic Car Mart Spring 2006 | |||
| Six of the best Classic Triumphs - Triumph 1300, Triumph Vitesse, Triumph Spitfire, Triumph Acclaim,Triumph 2000/2500 MkII, Triumph TR7. | ||||
| Article |
Flying The Flag - Triumph Spitfire IV |
26 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic Car Mart December 2005 | |||
| Flying the flag - Triumph Spitfire IV - If you're looking for a way of persuading the youth of today that classic motoring has a lot going for it, get them to drive a Spitfire. Mike Huber sings some praises here. | ||||
| Article |
Thinking Of Buying... A Triumph Spitfire? |
58 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic Car Mart June 2005 | |||
| Thinking Of Buying... ATriumph Spitfire? - The immortal Spitfire is one of the most stylish amd successful of affordable Brit sports cars. Ted Purcell thinks so, anyway, and here comes his guide to buying one of your own. | ||||
| Article |
Buying Power - Triumph Spitfire |
24 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic Car Weekly 18th August 2004 | |||
| Buying Power - Triumph Spitfire - Sylish and fun - Cheap to buy and to run. The Triumph Spitfire is the ideal classic sports car, says PAUL JONES. | ||||
| Article |
Changing of the Guard? |
110 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic & Sports Car August 2004 | |||
| Changing of the Guards? - MG and Triumph’s 'old faithful' budget sportsters are facing an onslaught from the now similarly priced Mazda MX-5. Dave Richards asks if the Japanese challenger is actually the obvious choice. MG Midget MKIII, Triumph Spitfire MKIV, Mazda MX-5. | ||||
| Article |
Affordable Sports Cars - Supplement |
|
||
| Publication | Classic Car Mart May 2004 | |||
| Affordable Sports Cars - Supplement - Austin-Healey 3000, Jaguar XK120, MGB, Daimler SP250, Triumph Spitfire MK IV, MG Midget 1500. | ||||
| Article |
Project Spitfire with Trevor Kemish - Part 27 Striding the final furlong |
82 |
|
|
| Publication | Classics May 2004 | |||
| Project Spitfire with Trevor Kemish - Part 27 Striding the final furlong. | ||||
| Article |
Project Spitfire - with Trevor Kemish - Part 25 |
98 |
|
|
| Publication | Classics April 2004 | |||
| Project Spitfire - with Trevor Kemish - Part 25. Entering the final stages. | ||||
| Article |
Project Spitfire with Trevor Kemish - Part 24 |
96 |
|
|
| Publication | Classics March 2004 | |||
| Project Spitfire with Trevor Kemish. Part 24, final fitments before firing up. | ||||
| Article |
Project Spitfire with Trevor Kemish - Part 26, Entering the Final Stages |
98 |
|
|
| Publication | Classics Spring 2004 | |||
| Project Spitfire with Trevor Kemish - Part 26, Entering the Final Stages. | ||||
| Article |
Project Spitfire with Trevor Kemish |
96 |
|
|
| Publication | Classics February 2004 | |||
| Project Spitfire with Trevor Kemish. Part 23 - Fitting the Car's interior. | ||||
| Article |
Project Spitfire with Trevor Kemish |
104 |
|
|
| Publication | Classics January 2004 | |||
| Project Spitfire with Trevor Kemish. Part 22, Adding the trim to the bodywork. | ||||
| Article |
Classics September 2002 pg 30 |
30 |
|
|
| Publication | Classics September 2002 | |||
| Sporting Triumphs. You can't beat one of Triumph's soft top sports cars for good value fresh air motoring. Peter Knivett drives three cars from the manufacturer's 1970s line up. | ||||
| Article |
Classic & Sports Car January 2002 pg 132 |
132 |
|
|
| Publication | Classic & Sports Car January 2002 | |||
| Starter Classic - Triumph Spitfire - The ideal starter soft-top. | ||||
People who looked at this car, also looked at:
Have you any further information on this car?
