First Steps

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Phil Cousins - 31 Mar 2004 15:36 GMT

Hello

I have decided to take the plunge and run a classic.

I find myself living close to work so I don't need a car for a daily commute
and I have an empty garage. I'm fairly handy when it comes to repairs and
maintenance and I've always fancied a small sports car with a removable lid.

I have decided on a Triumph Spitfire. I guess I'm looking for something that
is going to need a fair bit of work to make it useable, probably in the 500
to 1000 pounds range and preferably tax exempt.

So I finally get to the point:-

How do people go about buying something like this? I've been looking on e
bay but I'm not really comfortable buying without at least the ceremonial
once around the block or giving the doors a few tries etc etc.

If I do find something suitable what transporation options are available to
get it home to my garage legally.

I'm in North Dorset, can anybody make any recommendations for sources of
Spitfires or transporter companies in that neck of the woods?

Phil

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PJML - 31 Mar 2004 16:50 GMT

> Hello
>
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
> I'm in North Dorset, can anybody make any recommendations for sources of
> Spitfires or transporter companies in that neck of the woods?

Job One: join the owners club. Any club worthy of the name
will have a "for sale" section of its magazine.

As to getting it home [assuming it's a non-MOTd wreck] the
usual way is to hire a trailer for the day and beg/borrow
a Transit or something with a towbar.

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John McCabe - 31 Mar 2004 17:03 GMT

>So I finally get to the point:-

>How do people go about buying something like this? I've been looking on e
>bay but I'm not really comfortable buying without at least the ceremonial
>once around the block or giving the doors a few tries etc etc.

As someone else mentioned, you should join the owners' club. Many
owners clubs these days also have web based forums where you will be
able to ask what to look for and get good advice.

>If I do find something suitable what transporation options are available to
>get it home to my garage legally.

Buy one that is drivable :-)

Good luck.

Best Regards
John McCabe

To reply by email replace 'nospam' with 'assen'

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JH - 31 Mar 2004 18:03 GMT

>>So I finally get to the point:-
>
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
>Best Regards
>John McCabe

Try : http://www.tssc.org.uk/

J.

(TR5 / Corrado 16V)

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Bill Davies - 31 Mar 2004 21:36 GMT

> I have decided to take the plunge and run a classic.

Good man...

> I have decided on a Triumph Spitfire. I guess I'm looking for something that
> is going to need a fair bit of work to make it useable, probably in the 500
> to 1000 pounds range and preferably tax exempt.

Achievable, but bear in mind that this price range is perfect territory for
bodged up heaps. Buy carefully.

> So I finally get to the point:-
>
> How do people go about buying something like this? I've been looking on e
> bay but I'm not really comfortable buying without at least the ceremonial
> once around the block or giving the doors a few tries etc etc.

There are few bargain Spitfires on ebay any more. I have seen some excellent
rebuild projects go through for small money, but anything near roadworthy
seems to go well above (IMHO) market value.
Check out local free-ads papers as they can be an excellent hunting ground.
As others have mentioned, join an appropriate club. I would recommend the
Triumph Sport Six Club with which I am involved. There are equally good
(some would argue better) Triumph clubs many of which I've belonged to, but
from the purely mercenary viewpoint of percentage coverage of Spitfires, the
TSSC will suit you best. Once you've joined, speak to your local area
organiser and go to some of the meetings. Many cars change hands by word of
mouth, take advantage of this. You will also find people to hold your hand
when checking out potential purchases.

> If I do find something suitable what transporation options are available to
> get it home to my garage legally.

There are no shortage of vehicle transportation specialists throughout the
country, not usually over expensive for short distance pickups. If you have
access to a larger car with a towbar then hiring a trailer is another
option, it depends how comfortable you are hauling trailers.
Cheers,
Bill.
http://www.rarebits4classics.co.uk

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