Subject: Spitfire Neophyte
Author: "R. Heyman" <consult@DGS.dgsys.com>
Date: 9/9/94 5:13 PM
<g> No flames please to this British car newbie. I picked up a 1980
Spitfire this spring in excellent condition, and it's been a joy driving
it through the hills of Maryland and Northern Virginia. With the
exception of a few minor repairs (new accelerator cable, hoses etc.),
I've had no real problems except:
1. There is, what seems to be, a unusual amount of heat generated from
the engine compartment, felt by the ocuupants of the cockpit: both driver
and passenger. Is this a Spitfire specialty? If so (or not).. can
someone reccommend a method of reducing this heat flow. It does make the
car a bit unbearable on hot summer days (though I suspect it will be
somewhat welcome in October).
Not unusual at all! Go to your friendly building supplies store, and
purchase some mylarized bubble pack insulation. It's about 1/4" thick,
has great insulating properties, and won't hold water. It's shiny
and silver, and comes on a wide roll. Put that under the carpets
and you will see a DRAMATIC improvement.
2. I discovered that the exhaust manifold has a slight fissure... I, and
my mechanic have been unable to locate a replacement. Bristish Victoria,
for instance, shows the part as part of the exhaust assembly but does not
label or sell it. Can anyone point me towards a likely source?
If you want a NEW manifold, try Rimmer Brothers or John Kipping
in England. There should be LOTS of them in the junkyards.
3. I am going to replace the top. I've seen prices for the original
(and OEM).. vinyl (leatherette) at approx $US 300 and for a 'cloth' top
at approx $US 500. Question: Is the cloth top 'worth' it? I imagine
that it is more attractive than the vinyl.. but I wonder about
durability. Any opinions will be welcome.
I vote for vinyl. I think it looks more original and is tougher.
Cheers,
Rob
Larry Snyder, lesnyd@monsanto.com
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