1979 Spitfire with Mazda RX7 drive train.

You are bidding on the car Triumph might have built if they had partnered with Mazda instead of Honda (you Triumph buffs know what I am talking about).This Spitfire has the same motor as my 1978 RX7… but it is a whole lot faster! At the time folks were warned not to mess with the stock RX7 rotary engine as it would certainly diminish the performance. Well that is no doubt BS! The Ro-Spit has no emission control and a dual side draft Mikuni carb with stock Mazda electronic ignition which is contained in the distributor...pretty simple stuff. The 1978 Mazda RX7 ran great but was a little slow off the line…the completely de-smogged Ro-Spit would absolutely run circles around my old RX7. In fact it would probably give my Boxster-S a run for its money!

I cannot claim credit for building this car…it was built in the 90’s about the same time the Grassroots Motorsports Ro-Spit was being built. The builder was actually in contact with the magazine at the time and received much support from them. However he chose to make his car a fast road machine rather than a track car.

So what is so great about it? It is road legal in any state that exempts old cars from emission testing; it is incredibly fast; it is a joy to drive; it stops on a dime; it does not leak oil; it runs cool; sounds great; it gets a whopping 20 MPG; you will always win your class at VTR autocross; you can drive cross-country in comfort with no worries; chicks dig it! Check out this video:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/5r4c5lto2cpee0a/YellowPeril%20Final%20Run.mp4?dl=0

This car is completely sorted out…I have added 20000 miles to the mere 14000 that were on thecar (and engine) when purchased in 2011. I have driven itto VTR National Conventions in San Rafael CA and Dobson NC The Roadster Factory Summer Party in Armagh PA(long distance award winner) and numerous shows all over the Southwest.

Like all my cars everything works (lookme upon the Moss Motoring Magazine website http://www.mossmotoring.com/?s=mike+mcphail . It has all the Spitfire features (mainly good looks) plus a Mazda 12A rotary engine (somewhat hopped up with porting and alloy flywheel…est. 190 HP/ 150 MPH) RX7 5-speed gearbox heavy duty clutch Mazda limited slip diff Mazda rear disc brakes (yes this car has four wheel disc brakes!). Further enhancements include four-wheel Koni coil over independent suspension (the ridiculous Spitfire transverse leaf spring suspension has been replaced with dual trailing arms) and an RX8 stainless steel exhaust (still pretty loud…sounds like a Hayabusa motorcycle!).

There are dual thermostatically controlled radiator fans full sized RX7 radiator remote oil filter oil cooler SS brake lines one year old battery and three year old Toyo 175/70-13 tires. Those ugly ’79 rubber baby buggy bashers have been replaced with the much sought after 1972 Spitfire all chrome bumpers. The tiny eight gallon original gas tank has been replaced with a 16 gallon version (runs on regular) yet there is still plenty of space in the trunk…but not for a spare tire. Of course the Imron paint looks really good except where some parking lot damage has been repaired in the rear of the car (bet you can’t see it in the pics) and there is absolutely no rust. Shoot look at the pictures! What else can I say…this car is fabulous!

Why would I sell this wonder? I have enjoyed the heck out of it for several years but it is time to thin the herd…I have a couple of TR6s in the works and am running out of space in my workshop…besides somebody out there absolutely has to have this car…probably you! And how about this:

NO RESERVE!!!

Okay: $500 down payment due at end of auction…the balance via EFT to my bank account. Check my rating…I am an honest seller.