How is she?

Triumph Spitfire Mk 3 1967

Many blogs I have read about restoration projects usually start with a purchase of a car in unknown condition.  The only difference with this tale is that I made that purchase in the summer of '95 when I was 19 years of age.

Having been for a spin with Glenn Gilbert at the wheel, GT6 Mk1 in the background

Over the next three years or so the engine was rebuilt, carbs and rear leaf spring reconditioned, and the gearbox replaced.  Then I went for my OE and didn't return to live in New Zealand for another seven years.  During that time she was moved from a garage, to a car port, to outside under a tarp.  In that time the rust got away on the doors, sills and boot lid, and the carpets inside were wet and mould had grown over the vinyl dash interior.  It was not a happy reunion!

Rusted boot lid...at least you can still buy replacement panels

Surface rust on the fuel tank, and a fibreglass patch as well...maybe that's easier to just replace as well?!

Fast forward to 2012...

Her current home



After working Saturday afternoon and Sunday (with much assistance from my brother in law Shane) we changed the oil, flushed the radiator and emptied what passed for fuel in the tank, which was a mixture of rust, water and petrol.  Unfortunately starting was still a way off and presumably previous attempts had pushed that fuel mixture through the pump, carbs and generally blocked most pipes along the way.  Even the pot of the rear carb had water and corrosion sitting in it!


Draining oil and the right rear brake was seized too

After working systematically down the line and trying again there still was no life.  So off to replace the coil, and set the points and check the spark plug gaps.  And finally, late Sunday morning she roared back to life (and ran surprisingly well considering one of the carbs was still a bit sick!).




That left enough time to check the clutch only to find that the slave cylinder was seized.  So another quick strip down, refit, and bleed and the clutch is working and we have gears engaging too.

A currently running, but still rather dirty, Trumpy!

So where to from here?  There are brakes to bleed and I have a replacement steering wheel boss to fit, and then on to assessing the body work required...it may be a long time between posts...