Triumph Spitfire on car dolly
- Thread starter Bronson
- Start date
Vegaman_Dan
Well-known member
Backing up a tow dolly becomes crazy difficult if the platform that the towed vehicle's wheels attach to sits on a central pivot point (U-haul). Fixed platforms are much easier to back up in a straight line. Locking the steering wheel isn't an option on a Spitfire. 
e-tek
Well-known member
You could also use a bumper-bar. I towed our 240Z from Vancouver to Saskatoon, through the mountains and across the prairies, about 1100 miles with nary an issue. Didn't remove DS either.
Jason - is that your sig-other in your av? I hope so for your sake - WOW!
I had an early 70's Spitfire - most fun I had in a car in a long time! Total go-karts!
Jason - is that your sig-other in your av? I hope so for your sake - WOW!
I had an early 70's Spitfire - most fun I had in a car in a long time! Total go-karts!
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Well, it looks like the deal is off. The seller never called Me back, after I called Him the last time. I offered Him more than His asking price and He accepted., but He seemed to be having second thoughts. Said He couldnt find the title, even though the E-Bay ad said free and clear. I am really dissapointed, I have looked a long time for this car, only to find a squirrely seller. I had flat bed trailer lined up, cash in hand, only needed a pick up time. Damhik!
carhunter
Well-known member
Argh! Sorry to hear that. Tell the seller he owes everyone on GJ a beer for our input as well
Cinneagh
Well-known member
Sorry to hear that. I guess that should fall into the "it was meant to be" category. Keep up the search. You'll find a good one. There is a pretty big Triumph club in Texas and there are some specialist classifieds you could search. PM me if you need any pointers.
Jeremy
Jeremy
3798j
Well-known member
Take heart. There will always be another (and possibly/probably nicer) example to consider. Here's one in Virginia, advertised on the British Car Forum. A '75 with 48,000 original miles, the coveted hardtop and described as excellent - but no overdrive. www.britishcarforum.com/classifieds/showproduct.php?product=581&title=1975-triumph-spitfire&cat=19
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Coloshaver
Well-known member
Hey Jim(VonBaden)
Nice Opel!! It probably deserves its own thread.
Nice Opel!! It probably deserves its own thread.
VolvoMan
Well-known member
Real sorry to hear the sale went south. I'm sure there'll be another next week.
As moot as it now is, to add to the tow dolly reversing debate, it's no different to pushing back an aircraft. the secret is being able to see whats going on with the bar, which has a pivot on both ends. It also really helps if the steering axle is close to the bar (but not essential). A skilled pushback driver can push a 747 back 3 times its own length, turn 90 degrees and line it up on the centre line, on the BACK of the Tug. Pushing back from the front is a breeze. (I'll let you into a secret though, the smaller the load ( and bar ) the harder the push)
As moot as it now is, to add to the tow dolly reversing debate, it's no different to pushing back an aircraft. the secret is being able to see whats going on with the bar, which has a pivot on both ends. It also really helps if the steering axle is close to the bar (but not essential). A skilled pushback driver can push a 747 back 3 times its own length, turn 90 degrees and line it up on the centre line, on the BACK of the Tug. Pushing back from the front is a breeze. (I'll let you into a secret though, the smaller the load ( and bar ) the harder the push)
Haha! I happen to know a little about aircraft ground handling. I have stacked many a hanger, trying to beat a Texas hailstorm, 5 solid years of it, never a ding. A good spotter sure helps! When We had "special" aircraft, Blue Angels, Thunderbirds, ect, I was only one allowed, beside their ground crews. I really enjoyed it. One time I had to install a couple of V-22 into the Super Guppy, with the Commandant of the Marine Corps watching Me. NO room for error.
I am already looking at a couple of Spits on E-Bay, they are all over the scale. I just want a nice driver, not a project.
JimVonBaden
Well-known member
carhunter
Well-known member
Thanks, I did a lot of work to it!
Jim
I always wanted one of those but haven't pulled the trigger yet. They're surprisingly comfortable for their size too.
JimVonBaden
Well-known member
They are! Handle decently, and are very reliable. I have owned 10 of them over the years.
Jim
carhunter
Well-known member
Hey Bronson, this one popped up in cincy...low miles and priced right
http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/cto/3153609460.html
http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/cto/3153609460.html
http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-cars-veh...e-1500-Convertible-Hardtop-W0QQAdIdZ404926435
http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-cars-veh...iumph-Spitfire-Convertible-W0QQAdIdZ306342287
(this ones actually local to me if ya want someone to poke their head in)
Hey Bronson, this one popped up in cincy...low miles and priced right
http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/cto/3153609460.html
Thanks very much, but the seller called me today.
He was waiting for Me to call Him back, just a mis-understanding, and He found the title, so , ROAD TRIP!!
I like that blue, but a Spitfire should be RED. Thanks again!
http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-cars-veh...e-1500-Convertible-Hardtop-W0QQAdIdZ404926435
http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-cars-veh...iumph-Spitfire-Convertible-W0QQAdIdZ306342287
(this ones actually local to me if ya want someone to poke their head in)
Thanks very much Andy, very kind of You to offer, but I just put deposit on the car I originally wanted. Yee-haw!
VolvoMan
Well-known member
Hey Bronson, this one popped up in cincy...low miles and priced right
http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/cto/3153609460.html
This might help for the specs: http://www.uhaul.com/Reservations/EquipmentDetail.aspx?model=at
Check this as well, in case the Spitfire is particularly low: http://www.uhaul.com/Articles/Tips/118/Transporting-vehicles-with-low-ground-clearance
My GT was low and this helped.
Is this it? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1980...0386472?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item2320936728
Jim
Dear Americans,
We've had a vote and you are all hereby banned from making changes to any model of vehicle designed in Great Britain, especially in regard to bumpers. You've brought it upon yourselves, as evidenced above.
Sincerely
Great Britain
P.S. We invented everything you know, Including The USA.
signcrafter
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 9, 2012
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VolvoMan
Well-known member
Actually, I think you'll find the Icon Colour for a Spitfire (or GT6) is actually Magenta:
View media item 23178
Note the lack of railroad buffers on the front also.
For reference, British car Icon Colours:
MG - British Racing Green
Triumph Spitfire & GT6 - Magenta
Triumph Stag - Yellow
Triumph Dolomite Sprint & TR models - Red
Mini - Red Body, White roof
Jaguar Sports Models - British Racing Green
Ford RS Models - White
Healy - Metallic Light Blue
Aston Martin DB Models - Silver
Lotus - Green with yellow stripes (except Esprit (white))
Cinneagh
Well-known member
I don't have one to look at specifically, but the frame and suspension have areas to loop a ratcheting tie-down. It is pretty straight forward where to not put them. You also have the ship tie-down loop at the back. Some others should chime in with specifics. If not, I know a guy who just trailered his '70 Spit and will ask him.
Cinneagh
Well-known member
Wow, never heard of Icon colors. For me, an icon color is the color of the best car I could find. Plus, for Triumphs, it is all about era. Magenta, which I like, is a great early to mid-'70s color, but you won't see that on earlier or later cars so unless you go by model change, icon colors make no sense. Red with tan interior looks pretty iconic to me.
Also, that Magenta Spit has the chrome bumpers blacked out.
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Vegaman_Dan
Well-known member
The 'frame' on a Spitfire is shaped like the letter "I". Your best bet is to use wheel nets. Failing that, the front cross members and the rear wishbones. Even then I don't like it since it puts a lot of stress on the parts in directions not meant for that. Triumphs are weak enough as it is.
So I suppose my Triumph GT6 with a Chevy small-block is not going to be looked on favorably by Her Majesty?
Nighttrain
Well-known member
Bronson, congrats on the car, glad it came through. Have you watched the show "Shipping Wars"? Don't tie it down like those knuckle heads do,although the girl from Alabama would be ok to have her ship it for you. Enjoy the road trip, If your going through Austin on the way over (Mississippi?) you have a place to stay for a cold one.
1948
Well-known member
make sure you get the car engine forward up to the front of the trailer. YOU ALWAYS tie down/ strap the car on the axles/suspension! if you tied it to the frame ect, it might be tight when you strap it down, but a big bump and the suspension on the car gets negative pressure on the strap and it unhooks itself! so hook it onto the A arm or the axle. make sure you got a good amount of down pressure on the tires. always hook up at least 2 straps front and back, and leave it in gear and set the parking brake.
djjsr
Well-known member
Cinneagh
Well-known member
Good luck with the drive and the weather! Glad to hear you got some good advice from the BCF and the guys here. Having never trailered a Triumph, I learned something myself!
VolvoMan
Well-known member
Dear America,
We have heard the appeal of your citizen, sublimate, and have decided that the Total Ban on altering British Motor vehicles shall be relaxed in the following manner,
You may replace the motor of such vehicles with any of your domestically produced V8 motors as you see fit, with the following exceptions:
Any Jaguar containing an XK120 derived motor, eg E-Type, XJ12, XJ6 etc.
Any Rover vehicle originally built with a V8 motor.
Any Rolls Royce or Bentley manufactured prior to the introduction of the Buick V8 as the standard Rolls Royce powerplant.
Any vehicle originally built with a "Coventry Climax" motor.
We would also like to apologize for overlooking your contribution to the following vehicles:
AC Cobra 427, 289 & 305
Sunbeam Tiger
Sincerely
Great Britain
VolvoMan
Well-known member
As noted in the post, the Triumphs are broken down to individual models, whilst most other Marques have a more generic Iconic colour. Iconic Marque colours rarely change, for instance, Audi & Mercedes have always been silver, Ferrari always Scarlet. Triumph seems to have been an exception.
As for the black bumpers, This was the best photo I could find to show off that awesome Magenta. There's a few things that don't look quite "right" about this spit, one of which is that whilst it appears to be a 1500, the licence plate colour is only legal for a Mk4 or earlier, and it has a year letter G which would also indicate a Mk4, but the spoiler says 1500, as do the Turn Signals. Also the windshield rubbers should have chrome inserts no matter what year, and the Wipers should not be colour matched.
carhunter
Well-known member
Can't help with that...most of the stuff I bring home is pretty well immobile already, and wouldn't move short of flipping trailer over and shaking it
camarotoolman
Banned
Since you buying it site unseen for ebay, what not just have it shiped? Your time, gas, wear and tear,food, motel rooms etc. etc.
VolvoMan
Well-known member
That's no fun, plus I believe the OP is doing cash on collection.