78 Spitfire...good deal or not?

http://siouxfalls.craigslist.org/cto/4080449439.html

I am looking at this Spitfire and was curious what GRM thought of it. I don't know much about them so I am ready to learn.

Oh, I don't have a garage and would need a hardtop probably...

It seems high to me for the condition especially with no top.

They are very easy to work on, rusty easily, are a lot of fun, have a kinda poor rear suspension design and weak differential.

I agree. Price seems a bit high for one without a top, although replacements are easily sourced.

An in-person review is required to see if and how rusty it it is underneath.

That price sounds right if it were mechanically perfect and had a decent top, during springtime.

Id offer 3k.

I'd check if the seller still has the frame for the top and didn't throw the whole thing away.

These can rust rather well and even though it's a body-on-frame car, the rocker panels are structural. Inspect carefully.

Also, the 1500 engine isn't exactly known for its longevity so I'd check that over very carefully.

I would say $2500 would be reasonable if the body is solid.

Hard tops can be around $1k to source. Check for front suspension wear on the front trunions. Rear suspension can sag to the driver's side.

I agree, that seems steep. Personally I'd hold out for a MkIII car. The 1500 is bigger, but gutless due to '70s smog equipment. "Top thrown out" probably means that the top frame is gone.

Politely offer $1500, inspect for rust VERY carefully, then negotiate from there. You shouldn't have to pay more than $2000.

Rog

emodspitfire wrote: Politely offer $1500, inspect for rust VERY carefully, then negotiate from there. You shouldn't have to pay more than $2000. Rog

This. I'm not seeing $4500.00 A top frame (which appears to be missing) can be pricey as hell new. The paint is OK but not great (no gloss) the wheels have been painted and if it needs a complete brake overhaul (master cylinder, reman calipers, wheel cylinders, pads shoes and hoses) figure $700 in parts.

If you go look at it, check the crank for excessive end play. You do this by yanking/pushing on the front crank pulley, it should not move more than maybe .008. If it does move more than that it'll at least need crank thrust bearings. They aren't expensive but it's a sorta nasty job, the engine needs to come out to do it right.

No, not a good deal. For reference, here's a $3950 Spitfire being sold by a board member!

It's really cool when the front of the crank snaps off.

I'll repost this:

How much is a Spitfire worth? Free to Good Home is the usual price. After you have one, people will knock on your door and ask you if you want another one "for parts." Long lost cousins will drag one over and leave it in your driveway, then scamper away laughing hysterically.

Curmudgeon wrote: If you go look at it, check the crank for excessive end play. You do this by yanking/pushing on the front crank pulley, it should not move more than maybe .008. If it does move more than that it'll at least need crank thrust bearings. They aren't expensive but it's a sorta nasty job, the engine needs to come out to do it right.

At least the good news is removing a Spitfire motor is stupid easy...

From what I have seen Spitfires aren't dirt cheap anymore. That one is a little high but they certainly aren't almost free anymore in driving condition.

Argue about the price if you wish, but considering its locale, IF it is truly a rust free car, then you can't complain about the asking price. People pay stupid money to do rust repairs on brit cars and make no apologies, if you can get ahead of that curve, then you are off to a good start.

Brit cars are about as complex as a brigs and stratton engine (another SD homeboy) and just about anyone with a pulse should be able to keep one running.

The missing top is no big deal. I hope they kept the frame, but even if not, you will find lots of parts on e-bay or the forums used parts dept.

Are they a good car? I like the looks, I don't like the rear suspension. The front geometry is stupid; see some of the build threads on this site pertaining to such. The engine is fine as long as the thrust bearings dont fall out into the pan; watch the front pulley as someone pumps the clutch pedal, if it moves back and forth, the thrust bearings are gone and you need a new engine or a rebuild.

As for SD? Fine if you are going to stay in town, but Sioux falls to Rapid would be a long buzzy haul (howl?) I used to do it in my MGB GT and that was bad enough.

bastomatic wrote: No, not a good deal. For reference, here's a $3950 Spitfire being sold by a board member!

I would seriously look at this car if I were you and wanted a Spitfire.

I don't know if I want to drive one, but every time I see a nice one with the bonnet open I just want to take the whole thing apart and put it back together again. Just because everything looks so accessible.