”The Triumph Spitfire was donated to the TSSC Shropshire Area Group on the understanding that it would not only be restored but also used to raise vital cash funds. The aim would always be to bring smiles to the faces of those whom the hospice supports.
Classic car enthusiasts and specialist vehicle businesses have united to restore a cherished 1960s Triumph Spitfire back to its former glory whilst raising vital funds for a local Shropshire hospice.
*** STOP PRESS: Update August 2025 ***
After overcoming a few unforeseen issues, the bodywork, including paintwork is now complete!
The team’s next steps will focus on cleaning the engine and running gear to get the car back to the standard it was and to complement the terrific body the car now has. The seats, electrics, trim etc., are expected to be fitted over the coming weeks, in readiness for the NEC Classic Motor Show in November 2025.
The Shropshire Spitfire is a charitable classic car restoration project spearheaded by the Shropshire Area Group of the Triumph Sports Six Club (TSSC), with an overriding primary aim to raise funds for the Severn Hospice in Shropshire. As a cause close to the hearts of the Group, the project is not just in memory of the previous owner of the car, but also for everyone, their family and friends who, despite having been touched over the years by varying degrees of tragedy, have had their lives made just that little bit easier by all that they do at the hospice.
This project couldn’t be possible without the countless volunteers and sponsors who have generously supported The Shropshire Spitfire via donations of parts, cash, and time. ClassicLine Insurance is delighted to pledge our support by providing one year’s insurance to help see the project through to completion.
A Smiling Inspiration
The story began when David Embery of the TSSC Shropshire Area Group, received a call out of the blue from Karen Miller whose late father was a Triumph car enthusiast. Karen’s father had bought her a Triumph Spitfire for her 18th birthday, but despite loving the car, Karen found it hard to drive due to having no synchro on first gear and thereby having to ‘double de-clutch’ when changing gear. Thankfully, Karen’s father was a ‘Triumph Nut’ and was undeterred. He decided to keep the car and gradually restore it for his own benefit in later life. The Spitfire went into the garage at the back of his house to be worked upon as and when time permitted.
Sadly 25 years later, Karen’s father passed away at the Severn Hospice in Shrewsbury. It was then that the Triumph Spitfire was rediscovered.
Karen asked the TSSC Shropshire Area group if they could help her do something with the car. Knowing how much her father loved the car, she wanted to respect his memory and ensure that the Spitfire went to someone who would appreciate it.
David went along for an initial viewing of the car, expecting to help put the car up for sale. However, what was in the garage was not just any old Spitfire. It was a 1966 (C registration) early Mark 2 with its original hard ‘bubble’ top.
Discussing the possible options, which included taking inspiration from a 2010 local classic car rally that raised funds for the Seven Hospice and, perhaps more importantly, brought joy to the patients who were able to watch and admire all the cars at the start of the rally. All those present that day witnessed the hospice perhaps doing what it does best. Helping patients, their family and friends, even when life has dealt them a hand, where they are left feeling they don’t have much to smile about anymore. So, with this as inspiration, it was agreed to do something charitable for the hospice.
Karen donated the car to the TSSC Shropshire Area Group on the understanding that it would not only be restored to how her father had envisaged but also used to raise vital cash funds. The aim would always be to bring smiles to the faces of those whom the hospice supports.
The Restoration Begins
The restoration began with much enthusiasm. So much so that after only a few sessions, confidence was high about passing an MoT despite the car not having moved out of Karen’s father’s garage for over 20 years!
However, as with many classic car restoration projects, things did not go according to plan. One patch of rot led to the discovery of many others. A full ‘body off’ restoration was the only sensible way forward.
The engine and its internals were re-bored, re-ground, and rebuilt. The drive train, chassis, and brakes were all refurbished with the aid of sponsorship from TD Fitchett, Mike Papworth and Jigsaw to name but a few of the projects willing sponsors. The project was gaining pace, until attentions turned to the bodywork. Despite having received a very generous donation of many body panels by TD Fitchett, the project ground to a halt as the Group struggled to find anyone with the required welding skills.
The Shropshire Spitfire went back into long-term storage.
PigPen to Perfection
Then in October 2020, the project gained an injection of energy and belief as the Group became aware of an early Spitfire body available for purchase. Although the replacement body had spent the past 25+ years in a pigpen in the middle of a field in Reading, a viewing was arranged, a deal was done, and the body was brought back to Telford so that the project could then come back from its long-term hibernation.
The body was taken back to metal by Soda Blasting Ltd in Wolverhampton. Incredibly, it had survived better than many regularly garaged classic cars!
However, the project stalled again as the Group tried to cope with not only the Covid-19 pandemic but also needing to secure the appropriate welding skills required to bring the body shell up to the standard it deserves.
The Hardest, Final Phase
As pandemic restrictions eased, new members joined the project, bringing donations of cash and time and enabling the project fire into life.
A ‘call for help’ communication sent via the Severn Hospice, led to experienced welder and metal fabricator, Mick Cox, volunteering and joining forces with Colin Johnson. Their industry allowed restarted the project’s momentum.
Since then, car restoration specialist Paul Williams has now come onboard, joining forces with the welding team. The car now has new floors, door skins, and a multitude of other panels replaced or repaired, giving the car back its original style and important structural strength. With Paul’s expert help, the body shell will progress onto the next phase, to the paint shop! As one member comments, ‘…This is now exciting.’ We totally agree, even more so once it is painted in shiny Signal Red!
The Shropshire Spitfire is now housed at renowned Triumph parts and knowledge specialists TD Fitchett in Telford. As the project nears the final phase, and some would say the hardest, TD Fitchett’s expertise tracking down and providing those ‘hard to find’ fasteners, clips, washers will be invaluable. A vital support as the Group transforms the car from a restoration project back to a stunning roadgoing classic car. A truly special 1965 Triumph Spitfire 4, Mk 2, in memory of a very special classic car enthusiast.
Restoration Finish Line
The successes in 2024 have been significant, but there has always been one constant, to raise the most amount of money possible for the Severn Hospice. But how will this be achieved? Well, the car will be sold, very likely, via Mathewsons Classic Car Auctions of Bangers & Cash fame, in the Spring/Summer of 2025.
There is still a way to go, but thanks to continued investment from individuals and businesses, terrific progress is now being made with the Shropshire Spitfire project. And it is with this progress that ClassicLine Insurance is delighted to be a supporter of this incredible project by providing the specialist insurance cover that this cherished Triumph Spitfire needs to begin its new life as a roadgoing car.
The Shropshire Spitfire will be taking pride of place on the main Triumph Sports Six Club (TSSC) stand at the upcoming NEC Classic Car Show in November 2024. If you are heading along, do stop by the stand and chat with the team. They’ll be promoting the project and looking to raise further funds through sales of The Shropshire Spitfire t-shirts and baseball caps, and raffle tickets for rides in the finished car. We can’t wait to see the car and the team!
Success will be achieved thanks to everyone joining together as one in support of the Severn Hospice. All proceeds from the auction will go towards the hospice, which provides care and support to people living with incurable illness across Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin and Mid Wales.
The Shropshire Spitfire project is grateful of all levels of support, and if you would like to make a donation, please visit http://www.tssc-shropshire.co.uk/tssc-shropshire/shropshire_spitfire.asp
Links
Website: http://www.tssc-shropshire.co.uk/tssc-shropshire/shropshire_spitfire.asp
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091654540513
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgB7QE4pIy8
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