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Triumph Spitfire 4 (MkI)
Manufactured: 1962- 1965
Engine: Triumph Spitfire 1208cc
Configuration: front engine, rear-wheel drive
Driver:Ron Harper - biography
Class: Modified Sports Cars 1151 to 1500cc
Circuit: Croft
Date taken: May 1976 at start line, Croft
Spitfires were produced from 1962 until 1982, going from the MkI to the Mk4 1500, and having engines of 1147, 1300 and 1500cc. This car originally had an 1147cc engine fitted but Triumph Spitfires tended to be outclassed by the likes of Clan Crusaders and Davrians in the up to 1150cc Mod Sports class. Ron's car shown here was a later version with an elaborate aerodynamic package and a slightly larger, 1208cc, engine which put the car firmly into the next, more competitive class alongside Sprites and Midgets. Ron moved to Formula Libre for a time with the ex-Paul Gibson Chevron B40 fitted with a Hart 420R engine.Ron Harper was still racing this Spitfires today, 2004, its 30th birthday, with an extremely fast, 1600cc Cosworth BDA engined fitted.
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Triumph GT6
Engine: Triumph Straight 6, 1998cc
Manufactured: 1966 - 1974
Configuration: front engine, rear-wheel drive
Driver: Phil Barker
Class: Modified Sports Cars 1501 to 2000cc
Date taken: March 1974 at South Stand, Ingliston
The GT6 was the Triumph Spitfire's big brother. Based on the same backbone chassis, it had a much more powerful six cylinder engine and a a fixed head similar to the Le Mans winning Spitfires. It was in direct competition to BMC's much more famous sports car the MGB. Although technically better than the 'B' in all respects, it suffered an image problem and never sold in great quantities. Racing GT6s were not as competitive as the much more nimble and lighter Lotus Elans and Ginetta G4s racing in the same class.
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Triumph GT6
Manufactured: 1966-1974
Engine: Triumph Straight 6, 1998cc
Configuration: front engine, rear-wheel drive
Driver: Chris Williams
Class: Modified Sports Cars 1501 to 2000cc
Date of Description: 1972
One of the virtues of Triumph small car range was the one-piece bonnet which afforded excellent access tot eh engine and front suspension, this car relinquished this advantage in favour of chassis stiffness. A one-piece, fiberglass body with integral roll cage was specially built by Windmill Plastics to act as a stiffening monocoque for the separate chassis. This reduced the weight of the chassis to that approaching theracing MG Midgets of the time, moving the engine back almost 12 inches (30cms) distributed this weight 50/50 front and rear. After its initial shakedown in 1971, the need for road holding and power was addressed for 1972. Aldon Automative re-designed the rear suspension, the leaf sprung, swing axel was replaced by a coil sprung unit described at the time as Indescribable by its inventor Don Loughlin, Don also improved Triumph's excellent front suspension by increasing its stability under braking. During the season the power of the engine increased to 135bhp,still not a lot for a 2-litre engine. Triple 42DCOE Webers were used from the start and mid-season a gas flowed head and hotter cam were added. Most standard item were retained, brakes, with the addition of racing pads, gearbox and drive train these were just about coping with the speeds and power of the engine and were expected to be changed in the future.
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