Spitfire Mark IV 1972 $3500.00 USThe Mark IV brought the most comprehensive changes to the Spitfire. It featured completely re-designed cut-off rear end, giving strong family resemblance to the Triumph Stag and Triumph 2000 models, both of which were also Michelotti-designed. The front end was also cleaned up, with new bonnet pressing losing the weld lines on top of the wings from the older models, and the doors were given recessed handles and squared-off glass in the top rear corner. The interior was much improved: proper full-width dashboard was provided, putting the instruments ahead of the driver rather than over the centre console. This was initially black plastic however was replaced with wood in 1973.The 75 horsepower engine was now rated at 63 horsepower (for UK market employing the 9:1 compression ratio and twin SU HS2 carburetors; the less powerful North American version still used single Zenith Stromberg carburetor and an 8.5:1 compression ratio) due to the German DIN system; the actual output was the same for the early Mark IV. However, it was slightly slower than the previous Mark III due to carrying more weight, and employing taller 3.89:1 final drive as opposed to the earlier 4.11:1.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 little tamer. With the overall weight also increasing to 1,717 lb (779 kg) the performance dropped as consequence, to 60 mph (97 km/h) now being achieved in 15.8 seconds and the top speed reducing to 90 mph (140 km/h).[1] The overall fuel economy also dipped to 32mpg.[1] The gearbox gained synchromesh on its bottom gear.By far the most significant change, however, was to the rear suspension, which was de-cambered and redesigned to eliminate the unfortunate tendencies of the original swing-axle design. The Triumph GT6 and Triumph Vitesse had already been modified, and the result on all these cars was safe and progressive handling even at the limit.
Also published at eBay.ca
»
Cars for sale in Canada » Triumph » Spitfire » 1972 Triumph Spitfire for sale
Comments and questions to the seller: