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[Year 2016] So the engine has been rebuilt and now sits in my shop waiting to be re-installed. Meanwhile I sold my Triumph 2000 and bought a 1980 Spitfire that runs and drives but needs a lot of work. I think I'll have better luck with later 1970's & 1980 Spitfires than with 1960's cars.
[Year 2015] Well, time has not been available with two kids plus crazy things going on at my job so it took a while to get the engine out and to the rebuilder. Meanwhile I tinkered with my Triumph 2000 sedan and drove it to my club's annual show.
[Year 2014] I attended some shows without my spitfire because it needed an engine rebuild. I also decided to do that conversion to overdrive transmission that I have wanted to do for a LONG time. I did bring my 1966 Triumph 2000 to the South Alabama British Car Festival and the Pensacola British Car Show.
[Year 2013] Shows attended: Pensacola British Car Show and South Alabama British Car Festival. The European show has been moved to the first week of June, but that is when we take vacation for our anniversary, so I have not been able to attend.
[Year 2012] Shows attended: drove to New Orleans British Car Day, the Pensacola British Car Show (my club), drove to the "Mitty" Historic Sportscar Racing weekend & Spitfire 50th anniversary at Road Atlanta, and the European Car show at NAS Pensacola (Triumph 2000).
[Year 2011] Shows attended: drove to New Orleans British Car Day, the Pensacola British Car Show (my club), the European Car show at NAS Pensacola(Triumph 2000).
[Year 2010] Shows attended: New Orleans British Car Day, the Pensacola British Car Show (my club), the European Car show at NAS Pensacola.
[Year 2009] Shows attended: New Orleans British Car Day, the Pensacola British Car Show (my club), the European Car show at NAS Pensacola.
[Year 2008] Shows attended: New Orleans British Car Day, the Pensacola British Car Show (my club), the European Car show at NAS Pensacola.
[Year 2007] Shows attended: New Orleans British Car Day, the Pensacola British Car Show (my club), the Silverhill Alabama Old Library Benefit show, Five Flags Speedway track event.
[Year 2006] Shows attended: New Orleans British Car Day, the Pensacola Beach British Car Show (my club), the European Car show at NAS Pensacola, and the Shriner's Hadji Temple Benefit show.
[Year 2005] Shows attended: the Pensacola Beach British Car Show (my club), the European Car show at NAS Pensacola, and the Shriner's Hadji Temple Benefit show. Original center arm rest restored with new vinyl (GT6 one returned).
[Year 2004] Attended the New Orleans British car show and my club's show on April 17th! We had eight Spitfires but no GT6!
[Year 2003] Attended the British Motoring Club New Orleans 2003 show in March, the Pensacola British Car Beach Bash in April, the Haji Shrine Car Show to benefit Shriner's Hospitals, worked on more engine compatment detailing, installed new lug nuts and wheel trim rings, attended the Montgomery British Car show, and attended South Alabama British Car Festival.
[Year 2002] Replaced the rear leaf spring, installed Lucas Sport coil and yellow battery, replaced axle u-joints. Attended shows in New Orleans, Pensacola Beach, Tennessee, Lillian Alabama VFD, AACA Seville Square Pensacola, South Alabama British Car Festival, and drove in my club's "Poker Rally".
[Year 2001] New interior parts: glove boxes, door panels, "Triumph" seat covers. Center arm rest borrowed from my GT6 (sold 2006) until restoration begins on it. New trunk mat and replacement used spare tire cover and lens-back covers. More engine compartment detailing. DRIVEN from north Pensacola to shows in New Orleans, south Tallahassee, Panama City, Fairhope(AL), and Pensacola Beach for a total of more than 1300 miles. Now have 2 overdrive transmissions and a driveshaft but still need its solenoid to swap out on the car someday!
[Year 2000] More engine detailing, more interior parts cleaned and re-installed. Trailered to New Orleans British Car Day 2000 and driven to local Pensacola Beach British Car Beach Bash and Mobile Hooter's Car Show. But the highlight of the year was getting married!
[Year 1999] The Spitfire was taken apart, all non-painted parts removed including engine & transmission. Body brought to paint/body shop for dents, dings, and one quarter panel replacement. Mimossa Yellow paint applied. Returned to home and reassembled by owner (me!). Only driven on short trips during 1999 to test it and enjoy the work done for the remainder of the year.
[Beginning] I took my first long trip for the weekend since getting it out of storage and back on the road in June 1998. The car performed beautifully! I drove from Pensacola to Seagrove, FL near Panama City just over two hours each way. My only disadvantage is that the original owner did not order the optional overdrive transmission. The speed limit was only 55mph in 1977, after all. So with only a four-speed, the 1500cc engine really winds up there at today's higher speed limits. For those who don't know, the redline is at 6000rpm.
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