First Triumph Spitfire Up For Sale

October 31, 2013 Staff Classic Cars, Highlights, Triumph Comments Off on First Triumph Spitfire Up For Sale

A milestone in the UK’s illustrious sports car history is being sold by a Sussex classic cars specialist. The fully restored Triumph Spitfire was the first to come off the production line at its factory in Coventry.

1962 Triumph Spitfire Mk1 Motorshow CarLewes-based Sussex Sports Cars is marketing it online on behalf of its owner, a Swiss financial consultant. The firm’s Gerry Wadman said the owner, who restored the vehicle using Triumph parts, is asking £45,000 for the hand-built two-seater.

The car was assembled at the Standard-Triumph Canley plant in Coventry in 1962 – the very first in a marque that was to help transform the ailing firm’s fortunes.

Boasting chassis number FC1, it generated interest at that year’s Motor Show in Earls Court, as a rival to the Austin Healy Sprite and MG Midget. Its original retail price of £641 meant that unusually, it was a quality sports car at a reasonable price, featuring the latest mod cons, such as wind-up windows.

Now its current – anonymous – owner is looking for someone with deep pockets, prepared to pay substantially more for the one-off model than Spitfires normally fetch – typically between £15,000 and £20,000.

See the full story at BBC News.

Staff

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