The Triumph Spitfire was a sports car from Great Britain produced from 1962 to 1980. Despite the fact that these automobiles are no longer in production, there is still a devoted fan base for this two-seater convertible. There's even a magazine dedicated to the many individuals who follow the history of this driving machine.
Engine
The engine in the Triumph Spitfire is a four-cylinder. The bore (diameter) of these cylinders is 2.9 inches, while the stroke (length of the piston's movement inside the cylinder) is 3.44 inches. The total capacity of the engine is 91 cubic inches. It has a compression ratio of 7.5 to 1 and is rated 53 horsepower (hp) at 5,000 rotations per minute (rpm). The engine's maximum torque is 839 foot-pounds (pounds of force through one foot of space) at 2,500 rpm. It uses high octane fuel -- 91 or 100 grade, depending on the car's specifics.
Physical Dimensions
The Spitfire has a wheelbase of 83 inches with a front track width of 49 inches and a rear track width of 50 inches. Ground clearance is five inches, while the total length of the car is 155.25 inches and overall width is 58.5 inches. The Spitfire's height is 43.7 inches and its maximum possible weight is 2,339 pounds. The car weighs only 1,900 pounds, however, when fully fueled and carrying standard equipment and fluids. The diameter of the steering wheel is 14.5 inches.
Fluid Capacities and Cooling System
The fuel tank for the Spitfire is 9.9 gallons, but some later models limit the amount of fuel to 8.7 gallons. The engine can hold 4.75 quarts of oil -- 4.25 without a filter change. The "No-Loss" capacity rotor cooling system -- a marketing term meant to imply that no water was lost after being pumped through the system -- holds 4.75 quarts of water and uses a belt-driven pump, which opens up when the engine reaches 180 degrees Fahrenheit. There's also a 12.5 inch diameter fan with 13 blades.
Other Specifications
The Spitfire uses a 12-volt electrical system, with only three fuses in use at any given time. The car also features front and rear brakes, which are operated independently with the hand brake only activating the rear brakes. The front brakes are caliper disc-based, while the rear brakes use a drum. The Spitfire's turning radius is 24 feet. The rear final drive ratio on the Spitfire is 3.63 to 1, meaning the engine turns 3.63 times for every full rotation of the rear tires. The car travels at approximately 22 miles per hour (mph) when the engine turns at 1,000 rpm, but actual driving speed depends on tire and road conditions.
Tags: rear brakes, Triumph Spitfire, width inches, engine turns, inches while, track width, track width inches
