Triumph Repair: Triumph Spitfire Mk III, triumph spitfire mk, robust unit

Question
Hello Jim,

I wonder if I could ask you a question on a 1968 Triumph Spitfire Mk III? Please tell me the optimum gear shift speeds for this car?

Thanks.  

Answer
Phillip,

It depends upon what "optimum" you're looking for.  Performance?  Economy?  Reliability?

The small bearing 1296 engine (Mk III) is a fairly robust unit that isn't afraid of pulling some respectable RPM, which is about the only way to get any HP out of this engine.

As it's 38 years old the question will be what shape is YOUR engine in?  Everything still in good form or is it on it's last legs?  

Normally for a Spitfire I tend to shift somewhere between 3000 and 4000 rpm.  


Cheers,

Jim