Triumph Spitfire Mark III

1967 to 1970
Overview
years	1967 to 1970
Produced	65,320 made
Class	Sports car
Body	Roadster
Powertrain
Engine	1,296 cc (1.3 l) I4
Transmission	4-speed manual with optional overdrive on top and third
Dimensions
Curb weight	1,430 1b, 648 kg
wheel base	83 in, 2,108 mm
overall length	147 in, 3,734 mm
overall width	57 in, 1,448 mm
overall height	47.50 in, 1,206 mm
ground clearance	5 in, 127 mm

The Mark III, introduced in March 1967, was the first major facelift to the Spitfire. The front bumper was raised in response to new crash regulations, and although much of the bonnet pressing was carried over, the front end looked quite different. The rear lost the overriders from the bumper but gained reversing lights as standard (initially as two separate lights on either side of the number plate, latterly as a single light in a new unit above the number plate); the interior was improved again with a wood-veneer instrument surround. A folding hood replaced the earlier "build it yourself" arrangement. For most of the Mark III range, the instrument cluster was still centre-mounted (as in the Mark I and Mark II) so as to reduce parts bin counts (and thereby production costs) for right-hand and left-hand drive versions.Options wire wheels; servo brakes and hardtop.

The chassis a double backbone type, with channel section with outriggers with cars distribution of weight was  56% to front axle, and 44% at rear axle. the front suspension was independent, wishbones, coil springs, anti-roll bar and telescopic dampers,the rear independent, swinging semi-axles, transverse leafspring upper arms, swinging longitudinal trailing arms with telescopic dampers.

The 1147 cc engine was replaced with a bored-out 1296 cc unit (the bore increasing from 69.3 mm (2.73 in) to 73.7 mm (2.90 in), stroke retained at 76 mm (3.0 in)), as fitted on the new Triumph Herald 13/60 and Triumph 1300 saloons. In SU twin-carburettor form, the engine put out a claimed 75 bhp (56 kW), and 75 lb·ft (102 N·m) of torque at 4000 rpm, and made the Mark III a comparatively quick car by the standards of the day.Popular options continued to include wire wheels, a hard top and a Laycock de Normanville overdrive, and far more relaxed and economical cruising at high speeds. The Mark III was the fastest Spitfire yet, achieving 60 mph (97 km/h) in 14.5 seconds, and reaching a top speed of 95 mph (153 km/h). Average fuel consumption was improved slightly at 33mpg. The Mark III actually continued production into 1971, well after the Mark IV was introduced.

PERFORMANCE

• engine capacity 79.08 cu in, 1,296 cu cm
• fuel consumption 33 m/imp gal, 27.7 m/US gal, 8.5 1 x 100 km
• max speed 103 mph, 165.8 km/h max speed in overdrive/top 91 mph, 146.5 km/h.
• max power (DIN): 76 hp at 6,000 rpm
• max torque (DIN): 90 1b ft, 12.4 kg m at 4.000 rpm
• max engine rpm: 6,700
• specific power: 58.6 hp/l
• power- weight ratio: 17.8 lb/hp, 8.5 kg/hp
• acceleration standing 1/4 mile 18.5 sec, 0—50 mph (0—80 km/h) 9 sec

On 8 February 1968, Standard-Triumph General Manager George Turnbull personally drove the 100,000th| Triumph Spitfire off the end of the Canley production line. More than 75 per cent of the total production had been exported outside the UK, including 45 per cent to the USA and 25 per cent to mainland European markets.

Starting in 1969, however, US-bound models had to be changed to comply with new safety/emission regulations; models produced after 1969 are sometimes referred to as "federal" Spitfires. The changes resulted in a slight decrease in power (68 bhp) due to emissions control, the instrument panel was moved in front of the driver, and new seats were introduced with integrated headrests to help against whiplash. Also the wood dash was replaced with a matte black finish.

History