Triumph Repair: 1978 Spitfire Automatic tranny, triumph spitfire, throttle body injection

Question
I have a 1978 Triumph Spitfire that has a 1500 cc engine. My wife fell in love with this car but she can not drive a standard transmission car. Is there any automatic trannys that will fit this car or maybe a bigger 4 cylinder engine from something else with an automatic tranny? I'm looking for the easiest solution. To me, the easiest solution is her driving a standard transmission but she seems too intimidated by a standard tranny.  Any suggestions?  

Answer
Hi David,
I feel for you, to be in such a position. As for an easy auto trans to install. there is no such animal that I know of. Even if you had room (most automatics are wide)you would need machinists skills because many things would need to be designed and fabricated. Your statement that it would be easier to convert her than the car is the most correct answer. Get her to take a regular training class on a straight stick car. Once she does that her self confidence will be greatly enhanced. What ever you do, Do not try to teach her yourself. (this is a unwritten law put down by countless husbands)
If you have some mechanics skills and can find a small import car that has a narrow automatic, you may be able to change out the engine and trans with only minor fabrication. All of my experience has been going the other way.
Do this, pull the trans tunnel and do some measuring as that is going to be what you need to address as the room for a different engine is easy. Take your measurements and go to several salvage yards and measure away. If you find something that would work but it is fuel injected and you don't have the funds or info on modifying a car to use a fuel injection system, look for one that uses a throttle body injection system as they are easy to adapt a carburetor to.
That is the best I can tell you. Good luck.
Howard