Desert Centre – Triumph Registar of America

Mike Long's 74 SPITFIRE 1500

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This 1974 Red Triumph Spitfire 1500 I purchased for $350.00 in 1978 when I was just 18 years old. My best high school friend sold me the car. I’m still good friends with Bobby Alford today. He can’t believe I still own and drive this little sports car and it looks the way it does! It was a machine I saw great potential in when I was young and naive. However, at the time I bought it the car was an absolute jalopy and ready for the junkyard. It quietly sat in my parent’s driveway for almost 3 years continuing to deteriorate from the dampness, rain, and salt air parked near the Atlantic Ocean due to a lack of financial resources on my part. I was actually able to get the car running in 1981 and drove it everyday to college and evening work until I graduated in 1987. It was at this time that I began to restore it to the state that it enjoys today! It took me over 3 years and a ridiculous amount of money to resurrect the car from the dead. Finally in 1991, the restoration of this vehicle was completed. This car represents an enormous piece of my adult life from teenage years to middle age and all in between. Everytime somebody in public compliments me about how they think my car is cute or nice, I nostalgically remember what I had to endure over many years of headaches and expense to attain that wonderful and deeply appreciated comment! Somehow it all becomes worthwhile just from kind words from a stranger……I fully expect to have this car for the rest of my life at which time my beloved daughter Aubrey will inherit this double edged yet fun filled extinct sword born in Great Britain…

0 Responses to Mike Long's 74 SPITFIRE 1500

  • Patrick says:

    Hi Mike,

    Great story about the history of your 74 spitfire…I have a 75 spitfire and am looking to upgrade the trans to a overdive…do you know anything about this?

  • mlong76 says:

    Patrick,

    Sorry for the greatly delayed feedback to your question. I never saw your response post. Call Herman Van Der Akker at 661-242-1253. He has a national reputation and following for doing this particular function that you requested. Tell him Mike Long from the Phoenix triumph Club told me to call you. He is a great and very very technically skilled person to deal with !!

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Upcoming Events
Apr
9
Tue
6:00 pm Monthly DCTRA Meeting @ Denny’s Restaurant
Monthly DCTRA Meeting @ Denny’s Restaurant
Apr 9 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Normal Meeting Schedule 6:00 pm for dinner 7:00 pm for the Business Meeting The January Meeting is held at a different location as a Sunday morning bunch for the election of Officers.
May
14
Tue
6:00 pm Monthly DCTRA Meeting @ Denny’s Restaurant
Monthly DCTRA Meeting @ Denny’s Restaurant
May 14 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Normal Meeting Schedule 6:00 pm for dinner 7:00 pm for the Business Meeting The January Meeting is held at a different location as a Sunday morning bunch for the election of Officers.
Jun
11
Tue
6:00 pm Monthly DCTRA Meeting @ Denny’s Restaurant
Monthly DCTRA Meeting @ Denny’s Restaurant
Jun 11 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Normal Meeting Schedule 6:00 pm for dinner 7:00 pm for the Business Meeting The January Meeting is held at a different location as a Sunday morning bunch for the election of Officers.