1979 Triumph Spitfire 1500

This 1979 Triumph Spitfire 1500 is from the model’s penultimate year, and is outfitted with an accessory luggage rack, a cloth and vinyl interior, and full-width woodgrain instrument panel trim. Power comes from a 1,493cc inline-four paired with a 4-speed manual transmission. Finished in pearl white over a tan interior, this fifth-generation Spitfire is offered with a tonneau cover, the factory radio, a maintenance handbook, and other spare and removed parts.

The Spitfire 1500 debuted for the the1974 model year and evolved through a series of cosmetic changes, most notably receiving black impact-resistant five-mph bumpers with guards beginning in 1979. This example originally came painted Leyland White, but was repainted pearl white at a later date, and has a contrasting black retractable convertible top with a plastic rear window. Spitfire 1500 decals are affixed to the driver side front of the hood and to the passenger side rear corner of the trunk lid. A chrome-finished luggage rack is mounted at the rear, and a tan vinyl tonneau cover is included.

The 13” steel wheels wear Triumph-branded center caps and are wrapped in Daytona Quadra SE 175-section tires.

The interior is upholstered with tan vinyl bucket seats with patterned cloth inserts, matched to the vinyl door panels and contrasted by black carpeting. The instrument panel wears a woodgrain appliqué across its face that matches the shift knob. Amenities include a heater and an older Audiovox head unit. The car’s factory push-button radio is included with the sale.

Smith’s instrumentation includes a 120-mph speedometer, a 7,000-rpm tachometer, and a center-dash mounted fuel gauge and coolant temperature gauge. The five-digit mechanical odometer reads 35k miles, but total chassis mileage is unknown.

The clamshell hood opens to reveal a 1,491cc Standard SC inline-four, which developed 52 horsepower when equipped with a single Stromberg carburetor as seen here. Power is sent to the rear wheels by way of a 5-speed manual transmission with overdrive.

Photos showing the underside are available in the carousel.

The sale includes a tan tonneau cover, the car’s factory radio, a maintenance handbook, and other spare parts. Decoding the VIN tag reveals the following data:

Manufacture Date: December, 1978

Paint: NMC – Leyland White

Trim: C74 – Beige and White Houndstooth Cloth