Triumph Repair: Spitfire Engine & Box, gt6 mk, adapter plates

Question
Hi there Jim, Could you tell me if its possible to fit a  1980 spitfire 1500cc Engine & box into a 1974 GT6? Cheers Jamie

Answer
Jamie.

Anything is possible, although it might be tough to fit a Spitfire engine into a 1974 GT6, as production of the GT6 ceased in 1973.  I'll guess that you're referring to a GT6 MK 3 and go from there.

There were slight differences in mounting points for things like the engine and radiator between the Spitfire and GT6.  The easiest thing would be to source a frame/suspension from a Mk IV/1500 Spitfire and drop the GT6 bodyshell onto the Spitfire frame (it'll fit, watch for the bumper supports on the late Spitfire).  

Otherwise you can experiment with adapter plates as the Spitfire engine mounts are in slightly different positions.

You might need to get the Spitfire driveshaft also, off the top of my head I'm not sure the GT6 and Spitfire units are the same length.

Cheers,

Jim