Part of the 70's flood of affordable 2-seater sports cars from England, the Triumph Spitfire was low-cost fun that had plenty of style. This 1976 Spitfire is a late 1500 model, arguably the most desirable of the bunch, and thanks to a fairly comprehensive freshening, this is the most drop-top fun you can have per dollar. Let's get started!High visibility Sunset Orange paint makes this two-seater look faster and more expensive than it really is, and we promise that wherever you go, people are going to admire this car. The shape dates to the early 1960s but low-slung two-seaters just don't seem to go out of style. The proportions seem to hide the car's diminutive size and despite the very reasonable price tag, the workmanship is pretty darned good. It seems that the work was done a few years ago, so it's no longer perfect, but on the other hand, it shines up well, the panel fit is good, and aside from some minor chips from being driven, it looks great. Details like the black gaskets between the fenders and bodywork, the hood latches, and the chrome luggage rack add a lot of character to the little sports car. The taillights appear to be original and they're a little faded and crazed, but replacements are probably inexpensive, too. Chrome bumpers with big rubber overriders are a fact of life on any '70s import, but they're in good condition and they've aged gracefully.The British were still doing interiors focused on driving, even in the 1970s, and this Spitfire has comfortable buckets faced in cloth, so they hold you in place during spirited driving. The dashboard is real wood, not some kind of plastic facsimile, and it's full of traditional Smiths gauges with big white markings that are easy to read at a glance. Door panels look to be reproductions, while the carpets look newer and fit well. The stereo is upgraded to an AM/FM/CD stereo head unit and it sounds decent in the small cockpit, even with the top down. The controls feel natural and you'll feel at home the moment you slide behind the wheel, and you'll probably wonder how we've gotten so disconnected from our driving in recent years, because this car talks to you loud and clear. For emergencies, there's a nice black convertible top and the trunk is surprisingly roomy, perfect for a weekend getaway.The 1500 in the model name refers to the 1500 cc four-cylinder engine under the hood, which had the most torque ever in a Spitfire. That made it feel punchier around town and gave it performance to match its look. The hood tilts forward for awesome service access and it's pretty tidy in there. The engine shows signs of regular maintenance and uses the familiar side-draft Weber carburetor you find on many English cars of the era. There's a bit of scale on the firewall, but otherwise it's quite clean and you can't argue with this this little sports car runs. There are undoubtedly many modifications for these little engines, but this one remains pretty stock, which bodes well for reliability and long-term durability. The 4-speed manual transmission is a joy to run through the gears and the tough little four-cylinder engine makes a wonderful baritone wail at speed. The suspension is surprisingly sophisticated, being independent all around, and the brakes are strong enough for something so light. Nicely finished black wheels with trim rings and center caps look great and carry 175/70/13 radials.For affordable fun, it's hard to beat a vintage British sports car. This Spitfire is a little less common than an MGB and everyone will be interested to know more about it. Call today!