Triumph Spitfire Vehicle Information

Triumph Spitfire

Production Data
When the very first Spitfire was produced in October 1962 it was called (and badged) the 'Spitfire 4'. In December 1964 it was superseded by the 'Spitfire 4 Mk2'.

In January 1967 a new model, the Mk3 was announced. The Mk3 was produced until Nov/Dec 1970 when it was eventually replaced by the MkIV, which in turn was replaced by the 'Spitfire 1500' in November 1974.

All Spitfire models were produced at the factory in Canley.

To minimise any possible confusion between the 'Spitfire 4', 'Spitfire 4 Mk2' and the MkIV, and to help ensure you order/receive the correct parts, we have used the following model identification system throughout. Spitfire: Mk1 (Originally badged Spitfire 4), Mk2 (Originally badged Spitfire 4 Mk2), Mk3, MkIV, 1500.

Vehicle Specifications

Spitfire Mk1
UK Specification Vehicles Period of Manufacture October 1962 to December 1964
  Total Cars Produced 45,753
  Commission Number Prefixes FC
  Commission Numbers Allocated FC1 to FC45,753
  Engine Number Prefixes FC
Body Dimensions & Weight Length 145" (3,683mm)
  Width 57" (1,448mm)
  Dry Weight 1,543lb (700kg)
Performance Engine Capacity 1147cc
  Brake Horse Power (@ 5,720rpm) 63Bhp
  Top Speed 92mph (148kph)
  0 - 60 mph 15.5 seconds
  Standing 1/4 Mile 19.5 seconds


Spitfire Mk2
UK Specification Vehicles Period of Manufacture December 1964 to January 1967
  Total Cars Produced 37,409
  Commission Number Prefixes FC
  Commission Numbers Allocated FC50,001 to FC88,904
  Engine Number Prefixes FC
Body Dimensions & Weight Length 145" (3,683mm)
  Width 57" (1,448mm)
  Dry Weight 1,543lb (700kg)
Performance Engine Capacity 1147cc
  Brake Horse Power (@ 6,000rpm) 67Bhp
  Top Speed 94mph (151km/h)
  0 - 60 mph 14 seconds
  Standing 1/4 Mile 19 seconds


Spitfire Mk3
UK Specification Vehicles Period of Manufacture January 1967 to December 1970
  Total Cars Produced 65,320
  Commission Number Prefixes FD USA models used FDU
  Commission Numbers Allocated FD1 to FD92,803
  Engine Number Prefixes FD
Body Dimensions & Weight Length 147" (3,734mm)
  Width 57" (1,448mm)
  Dry Weight 1,570lb (712kg)
Performance Engine Capacity 1296cc
  Brake Horse Power (@ 6,000rpm) 75Bhp
  Top Speed 95mph (153km/h)
  0 - 60 mph 12.5 seconds
  Standing 1/4 Mile 18.5 seconds


Spitfire MkIV
UK Specification Vehicles Period of Manufacture November 1970 to January 1974
  Total Cars Produced 70,021
  Commission Number Prefixes FH USA models used FK
  Commission Numbers Allocated FH3 to FH64,995
  Engine Number Prefixes FH
Body Dimensions & Weight Length 149" (3,785mm)
  Width 58 1/2" (1,486mm)
  Dry Weight 1,638lb (743kg)
Performance Engine Capacity 1296cc
  Brake Horse Power to FH25,000 (@ 6,000rpm) 63Bhp
  Brake Horse Power from FH25,000 (@ 5,500rpm) 61Bhp
  Top Speed to FH25,000 97mph (156km/h)
  Top Speed from FH25,000 95mph (153km/h)
  0 - 60 mph to FH25,000 12.5 seconds
  0 - 60 mph from FH25,000 14.5 seconds
  Standing 1/4 Mile 19 seconds


Spitfire 1500
UK Specification Vehicles Period of Manufacture November 1974 to August 1980
  Total Cars Produced 95,829
  Commission Number Prefixes FH (Issued to September 1979)
  Commission Numbers Allocated FH75,001 to FH130,001
  VIN Prefixes (Vehicle Identification Numbers) (Issued from October 1979 for 1980 models TFADW-AT
  VIN Numbers Allocated (With 8 digit prefix as above) 000,001 to 009898
  Engine Number Prefixes (All) FM
Body Dimensions & Weight Length 149" (3,785mm)
  Width 58 1/2" (1,485mm)
  Dry Weight 1,682lb (763kg)
Performance Engine Capacity 1493cc
  Brake Horse Power (@ 5,500rpm) 71Bhp
  Top Speed 101mph (162.5km/h)
  0 - 60 mph 11.3 seconds
  Standing 1/4 Mile 18.8 seconds


Location of Commission Numbers
The following illustration shows where various identification/serial numbers are located on the Spitfire. Although the illustrations depicts the Spitfire 1500, they apply to all models.

Triumph Spitfire Illustration1. Commission Number or VIN Number (Late 1500's were allocated VIN - Vehicle Identification Number).

2. Body Number.

3. Engine Number.

4. Gearbox Number.

5. Differential Number.



Service Information

  Mk1 Mk2 Mk3 MkIV 1500
Original Engine Settings
Engine Capacity 1147cc 1147cc 1296cc 1296c 1493cc
Firing Order 1-3-4-2 1-3-4-2 1-3-4-2 1-3-4-2 1-3-4-2
Spark Plug Gap 0.025" 0.025" 0.025" 0.025" 0.025""
Contact Breaker Gap 0.020" Delco Remy 0.020" Delco Remy 0.015" Delco Remy 0.016" Delco Remy 0.015" Lucas
Dwell Angle 36° 36° 40° - 42° 38° - 40° 38° - 40°
Ignition Timing (static) 13° BTDC 13° BTDC 6° BTDC 6° BTDC To FH25000

8° BTDC From FH25001
10° BTDC
Valve Clearance (cold) Inlet & Exhaust Valve 0.010" 0.010" 0.010" 0.010" 0.010"
Idle Speed (rpm) 700 - 750 700 - 750 700 - 750 700 - 750 750
Idle Mixture (%CO) 2.5 - 4.5% 2.5 - 4.5% 2.5 - 4.5% 2.5 - 4.5% 2.5 - 4.5%
Capacities
Cooling System (inc heater)
Standard Radiator
9 1/2 Pints 5.6 Litres 9 1/2 Pints 5.6 Litres 8 Pints 4.7 Litres 8 Pints 4.7 Litres 8 Pints 4.7 Litres
Engine & Oil Sump (inc filter) 7 Pints 4.1 Litres 7 Pints 4.1 Litres 8 Pints 4.7 Litres 8 Pints 4.7 Litres 8 Pints 4.7 Litres
Gearbox Only 1 1/2 Pints 0.9 Litres 1 1/2 Pints 0.9 Litres 1 1/2 Pints 0.9 Litres 1 1/2 Pints 0.9 Litres 1 1/2 Pints 0.9 Litres
Gearbox & Overdrive Unit 2 3/8 Pints
1.4 Litres
'D' type O/D
2 3/8 Pints
1.4 Litres
'D' type O/D
2 3/8 Pints
1.4 Litres
'D' type O/D
2 1/2 Pints
1.5 Litres
'D' & 'J' type O/D
2 7/8 Pints
1.6 Litres
'J' type O/D
Differential 1 Pint 0.6 Litres 1 Pint 0.6 Litres 1 Pint 0.6 Litres 1 Pint 0.6 Litres 1 Pint 0.6 Litres
Tyre Pressures (Original/Standard 13" Wheels & Tyres)
Front PSI (cold) 18lb Cross Ply 18lb Cross Ply
21lb
Optional Radial
18lb Cross Ply
21lb
Optional Radial
21lb Cross Ply
21lb
Optional Radial
21lb Radial
Rear PSI (cold) 24lb Cross Ply 24lb Cross Ply
26lb
Optional Radial
24lb Cross Ply
26lb
Optional Radial
26lb Cross Ply
26lb
Optional Radial
26lb Radial

Triumph Spitfire Vehicle Information


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