This beautiful 1969 Triumph Spitfire Mk3 Convertible has been completely restored to show quality standards. It's the recipient of 21 prestigious awards from organizations such as the All British Field Meet and Autojumble, British Car Classic, British Car Day, Britain on the Green at Woodlawn, Hunt Valley Classic, South Central British Car Gathering, Triumph Club of Carolina and Vintage Triumph Register. A list of all the awards is posted in the photo gallery and is included with the sale. The Triumph Spitfire is a British sports car produced from 1962 to 1980, known for its affordable price and fun-to-drive characteristics. It came in five models over its 18-year production run, steadily improving in terms of features and performance. The Spitfire was a significant export success with a large percentage of sales going to the United States. This example is accompanied with a British Motor Industry Heritage Trust Certificate and a Capital Triumph Register Certificate. As documented this example was built on May 17th, 1968 in Coventry, England. It was ordered with a White exterior with a black soft top and black interior. The details of equipment included a windscreen washer, wing mirror on the driver's side, 145-13 Dunlop tires, heater, kilometers speedometer and disc wheels. It was shipped to Blanc and Paiche S.A. located in Geneve, Switzerland where it was retailed to the first owner. The original female owner moved to the United States and shipped the car. It was purchased in 1978 by second owner Terry Sopher and his father. They participated in SCCA rallies and other events such as car shows over the next 26 years before doing a rotisserie restoration in 2004. In 2006, the car was sold to the third owner who was a British Expat executive with Bentley North America. He added approximately 1,800 miles on the car over the next 16 years and due to health issues did not drive it for the last several years of his ownership. In 2022, he contacted Terry about purchasing the car back and a deal was made. During Terry's recent ownership he had the engine and transmission completely rebuilt. He also had the carburetors rebuilt and replaced some suspension parts. A painted hard top with new stand is included. The original owner's manuals, dealership brochures, wooden show board displays, many extra parts and a binder of receipts are also included. MS CLASSIC CARS purchased the car from Terry in January of 2025. MS CLASSIC CARS invested a total of $7,221.11 in service work which is documented with an invoice. Dare to compare this example to any others that have been sold or that are currently being advertised for sale. June of 2025 is the first time it's been listed for sale.
The exterior of this car is in beautiful overall condition throughout. Giovanni Michelotti styled the Spitfire Mk3 so it's brawny English muscle embraced in sleek Italian beauty. The front end was restyled especially to give the new Spitfire Mk3 a sleeker, racier look. The new front bumper location gives even better protection including rubber inserts in the guards. Also new, a handsome and very efficient foldaway hood, integral side lights and front flashers. During the restoration process the body was removed from the body and stripped to bare metal on a rotisserie. The body is very straight with excellent panel fitment. It was refinished in the factory correct color of Signal Red (code #32) which was an available color on all Mk3 model years. This glowing red color dresses the car perfectly. The show quality paint was recently detailed to a brilliant shine by the team at MS CLASSIC CARS and looks amazing. The car was outfitted with a new top which fits very nicely. The car is equipped with a factory hard top which was painted to match the exterior. The removable steel hard top is fully weatherproof with a complete headlining and panoramic wrap-around rear window. Everything on the exterior was restored or replaced new such as the RAC front windshield, rubber seals, chrome wiper arms, antenna, dual mirrors, fender trim, headlights, front bumper, door handles, quarter trim, gas cap, trunk hinges, trunk handle, tail lights, rear bumper and emblems. The car rolls on 13” Minilite style wheels that are silver with a polished lip and red Triumph center cap. The wheels are mounted to new Kumho Solus TA51A – 175/70/13 tires. The mirrors, headlights and tires were added by MS CLASSIC CARS. The original 13 x 4 ½ Cosmic aluminum wheels that were on the car are included. From the information gathered these wheels are extremely rare and collectible among the Triumph community.
The interior of this car is also in beautiful overall condition throughout. The handsome walnut veneer dash bezel and the hand tooled deep cushioned bucket seats are elegant. The black leather seating surfaces and convertible top cover are decorated with white piping. The banjo style steering wheel fronts Jaeger instrumentation including a 110-mph speedometer, a tachometer, fuel gauge and coolant gauge. The deep dished steering wheel is mounted to a telescopic steering column that is designed to collapse upon impact. Everything in the interior cabin has been restored or replaced new such as the sun visors, rear view mirror, dash pad, dash fascia, door panels, door hardware, wood shift knob, leather shifter boot, seat belts, carpeting and rubber floor mats. It's equipped with a modern Retro Sound stereo. Everything in the interior is in working order including the heating system. The trunk compartment was also stripped to bare metal and repainted in Signal Red. Its home to the trunk mat, spare tire and jack tools.
The engine compartment is highly detailed throughout with many Lucas branded parts. The firewall and backside of the hood was repainted in Signal Red. The car is powered by its original matching numbers 1296cc, 4-cylinder engine that runs excellent. The engine was a fresh rebuild in 2023 which included such items as new cam, bearings (main and rods), rings, studs, thrust washers, gaskets, seals, oil pump and water pump. The black engine block is decorated with a gold valve cover. The engine is fed with dual SU carburetors that have chrome air cleaners. The engine breathes through a dual stainless exhaust system The Laycock de Normanville electric overdrive 4-speed transmission was also rebuilt and is in excellent working order. At the time of rebuild the clutch was also replaced.
The undercarriage is also highly detailed throughout with many new parts. The floors were stripped and repainted in Signal Red. The double backbone chassis was also stripped and repainted black. The suspension consists of four wheel independent with coil springs, GAZ shock absorbers and anti-roll bar at the front. Swing axles with transverse leaf spring and radius rods at rear. It's equipped with four wheel hydraulic brakes with 9”discs on the front and 7” drums on the rear. The entire suspension and braking system has been gone through recently by the previous owner and MS CLASSIC CARS.
