Triumph Spitfire Restoration

[theren]

Hi, I'm thinking of restoring a Spitfire. Thing is i hear that the gearbox is a bit tricky, and also that the suspension is a little prehistoric.

I'm a complete novice so i need advice before i take this on! Hopefully there are some Spitfire lovers out there who can help or have succesfully done this already..

1- can i put a more recent engine and gearbox in it?

2- is it possible to use a more modern suspension kit?

if yes to the above...how much welding and so-on is going to be involved. 

[KebabMeister]

I would try to keep the car as original as possible.  The gearbox isn't that bad and the suspension is like any other for that age.  Of course it's not as good as the modern day equivalents.

Parts are plentyful and relatively cheap as far as classic cars go.  If you do insist on changing the suspension or engine/transmission (NO!!!!) then I'd recommend talking to 'Rimmer Brothers' in Bracebridge Heath, Lincoln - http://www.rimmerbros.co.uk/  When I used to work on Triumph's we used to get most of the parts from there.

[theren]

thanks KebabMeister, I'll have a look at the website when I get home, the work computer wont connect to that site for some reason! I'm not even sure if i will take on the project, as i'm no mechanic by a long shot - i just like the old spitfire!

[KebabMeister]

The Spitfire is one of the easiest classic cars to maintain so it would be a good project.  I prefer the older models, pre-Mark IV.

Rimmer Bros. are actually Triumph specialists so they'll be able to give some adice hopefully!