Lot Ended
Description
Fully
restored in the late 1990s and only 20k miles since; only 10k miles on rebuilt
GT6 2.0 engine; overdrive; leather seats; walnut dash; stainless steel exhaust;
Le Mans alloy wheels; just serviced and runs like a Swiss watch
As
the Heritage Certificate confirms, this Spitfire MkI was built in February 1964
finished in white with black Vynide trim and black hood with disc wheels and
optional heater and windscreen washer. Supplied new via Hollingdrake
Automobile Company of Stockport, it was fitted with a Triumph GT6 2.0 engine and
overdrive gearbox fairly early in its life.
In 1985 it seems that the
car was put into storage following a prang which damaged the o/s door and rear
wing. In 1994 it was acquired by Gary Stretton of Classics Monthly magazine who
was to keep it until 2013. Between 1995 and 1998 he treated the car to a total
nut-and-bolt restoration, as documented by a vast file of invoices and many
photos on file. Old MOTs show that since the restoration was completed the car
has covered just over 20k miles, the odometer currently showing 75,785 miles.
A good number of invoices show regular upkeep in more recent years,
including a full engine rebuild in 2009 with new pistons, bearings, timing chain
etc. since when it has only covered 10,500 miles. Other significant expenditure
includes a new clutch kit in 2000; a new set of five Le Mans style alloy wheels
in 2006; a reconditioned 3.63:1 diff in 2014; a new radiator in 2018 and a new
set of Dunlop tyres in 2019. A stainless steel exhaust system has also been
fitted at some point.
Stickers on the windscreen imply that the car went
to the Le Mans 24-Hours in 2010, to a historic racing event in Laon in 2016 and
back to Le Mans again in 2018, so it is clearly well-suited to continental
touring.
In September 2022 the car was driven 100 miles to Brightwells,
the owner reporting that it drove beautifully with the overdrive working as it
should. It was then acquired by our vendor (for rather more than the guide price
suggested here) as a gift for a family member who subsequently fell ill, hence
its reappearance in our sale today.
Although it is MOT-exempt, it has
been tested regularly, the last MOT having expired in January this year with no
advisories recorded. It comes with a good hood and tonneau cover in white plus
some spare burgundy leather matching the seats and a Haynes workshop manual.
There is also an agreed insurance valuation for £24,000 dated March 2020.
Treated to a new battery and a full service shortly before the auction
at a cost of over £500, it has been starting promptly and running like a Swiss
watch as we have moved it around on site, with good 70psi oil pressure.
A most appealing car all round, with many tasteful upgrades, this
well-historied Spitfire, with its powerful and recently rebuilt six-cylinder
engine, looks like an absolute steal at the modest guide price suggested.
For more information contact James on 07970 309907 or email [email protected]