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The Shropshire Spitfire |
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| The
Spitfire emerging from the garage after 25 years with (left to
right) David Embery, Steve Cureton, Karen Miller
& Chris Ray. |
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| We
need you! Please consider helping us with
this project by making a Donation, however small |
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The Shropshire Spitfire is a charitable project
that has always belonged to the whole Triumph Sports Six
Club (TSSC), Shropshire Area Group, rather than any one
particular individual. Countless volunteers and sponsors
have given to help with the project over the years and also
pledged their further support via donations of parts, cash,
time etc.
The overriding primary aim is to raise funds for the local
Severn Hospice. This 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.
The Shropshire Spitfire story began when David Embery,
received a call out of the blue from Karen Miller whose late
father was a Triumph enthusiast. He had bought her a Triumph
Spitfire for her 18th birthday to satisfy Karen's desire for
a sports car. However, despite loving the car, Karen could
not drive it easily due to having no synchro on 1st gear and
thereby having to 'double de-clutch' when changing gear. No
matter, Karen's father was a ‘Triumph Nut’ like ourselves
and was undeterred. He decided to keep the car and gradually
restore it to 'mint' condition 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, approximately 25 years later, Karen lost her father
when he died at the Severn Hospice in Shrewsbury. It was
then that the Spitfire was re-discovered.
Karen asked the TSSC Shropshire Area group if they could
help her do something with the Spitfire. She knew that her
father loved the car and so 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 but a 1966 (C
registration) early Mark 2 with its original hard 'bubble'
top. The car had not moved out of the garage for over 20
years.
David and Karen discussed possible options available. These
included taking a lead from a recent local classic car rally
in June 2010. Not only did it raise some vital money for the
Seven Hospice but, perhaps more importantly, also raised
many smiles on the faces of the patients. They had been
moved outside of the hospice building 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.
With that as inspiration, Karen and David agreed that it
would be fantastic if lots of people could enjoy the
Spitfire, respect Karen's father's memory and, at the same
time, do something charitable for the hospice that had cared
for not only him but also so many others. Karen stated that
she would be prepared to donate 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
then used to raise vital cash funds. The main overriding aim
would always be to bring smiles to the faces of those people
in Shropshire who, through no fault of their own, found
themselves in need of help from all those at the Hospice.
The restoration began with much enthusiasm. So much so that
after only a few sessions, confidence was high about passing
an MOT! However, it would be something of an understatement
to say that things did not go according to plan! As many
Triumph owners can relate to, one patch of rot led to the
discovering of many others and a full body off restoration
ended up being the only sensible way forward.
The engine and its internals were re-bored, re-ground, and
rebuilt. The drive train, chassis, brakes etc were all
refurbished with the aid of sponsorship from TD Fitchetts,
Mike Papworth and Jigsaw to name but a few of our willing
sponsors. The project was gaining pace until we came to
trying to sort the bodywork. Despite having received a very
generous donation of many body panels by TD Fitchetts, the
project ground to a halt as we struggled to find anyone with
the required welding skills. Therefore, back into long term
storage went the Shropshire Spitfire.
In October 2020, the project gained a very much need
injection of energy and belief in that we became aware of an
early Spitfire body that was available for purchase.
However, initially, things did not seem too encouraging as
it had spent the past 25+ years within a ‘Pig-Pen’ in the
middle of a field in Reading. It was decided to give it a
chance, so a viewing was arranged. A deal was done and the
body 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, the body had survived better than
many cherished classic cars that are regularly garaged!
However, the project stalled again as we tried to cope with
not only all the pandemic had to threw at us but also that
needed to secure the appropriate welding skills required to
bring the body shell up to the standard it deserves. Once
that is accomplished, painting of the body will happen and
then fitting everything back to the running chassis can
commence.
As a collective group, TSSC Shropshire Area want to get to
the finish line with the Shropshire Spitfire project and
achieve all of the original aims. Hence our continuing
focus. We have seen lots of new members join the group since
the pandemic restrictions eased and so donations of cash and
time have come back to us. We still need welding skills to
get the body right so that focus can then switch to the
paintwork and interior.
As we make progress, we’ll continue to update and all being
well with fingers crossed, we’ll get to put smiles on those
faces of whose hand in life has temporarily meant they feel
they have nothing left to smile about. |
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The Shropshire Spitfire Gallery |
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The TSSC Shropshire Spitfire project to raise money for The Severn Hospice. |
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The Shropshire Spitfire Sponsors ... |
| Newton Commercial |
Newton Commercial have supplied us with the interior trim for the Shropshire Spitfire.
Formed in 1979 by husband and wife team Richard and Vera Newton, Newton Commercial is the industry leader in the manufacture of original style reproduction classic car upholstery. We are the only British Motor Heritage approved trimmer in the world, an industry standard that only the most elite traders are given within the automotive industry and highlights are focus on creating original style interior trim in the original way using our variety of skills and original production methods.
Click for more ...
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| Coverdale Ltd |
Coverdale have supplied the interior carpets for the Shropshire Spitfire.
Coverdale was established in 1988 and quickly gained a formidable reputation for manufacturing automotive carpet and carpet sets for classic cars in the UK. We pride ourselves on delivering an exceptional standard and quality of carpets and customer service for both the automotive industry and retail customers in both the UK and Worldwide.
Click for more ...
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| Polybush |
Polybush have supplied a full set of suspension bushes for the Shropshire Spitfire.
Polybush are experts in polyurethane.
Polyurethane is an ideal material for making into suspension bushes. Its combination of high tensile strength and elasticity translates into immense durability in the toughest conditions. Polyurethane Bushes have excellent resilience, springing back in to shape effortlessly to absorb shock and prevent dirt ingress and wear. Lastly, it doesn’t age or perish – rubber bushes both perish and are attacked by oils and fuels.
Click for more ...
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| Powder Coating Shropshire |
Our Philosophy
Quite simply, we keep our customers happy by producing excellent work at a fair price and on time.
Advice
We can only suggest colours, pitfalls and positives to our customers but we feel it responsible to advise on all aspects of the job our customers want to achieve with their requirement. Call us - we are always happy to help.
Standards
Absolutely nothing leaves our premises until we are happy with the results. We pride ourselves on our ability to produce top notch work thereby keeping our customers happy and returning to us. Our customers are our biggest advertising and marketing tool.
Choice
We offer a massive choice of colours and finishes. If not in stock, we can obtain anything to suit your requirements. Check out the RAL colour chart for some examples of standard colours.
Click for more ...
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| Autosparks Ltd. |
Autosparks: suppliers of our wiring loom.
TRADITIONAL CRAFTSMANSHIP, CLASSIC BRITISH QUALITY.
Starting in 1977, I had a vision of not only manufacturing quality looms for the automotive trade, but to offer a service to enthusiast who are as equally passionate about authentically restoring classic cars as I am.
Instilling my passion for the business in others, we have built a great team of likeminded individuals which now totals 80 plus years of technical expertise.
Click for more ...
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| Mike Papworth Triumph Parts |
The Triumph Greabox, Overdrive, Differential extpert. Mike very kindly refurbished our grearbox and differential for the Shropshire Spitfire.
One The Croft
Off Lady Lane
Longford, Coventry
West Midlands
CV6 6BA
Tel: 024 76644499/07
Click for more ...
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| TD Fitchett Ltd. |
TD Fitchett Ltd have provided us with many panels for the Shropshire Spitfire. Crucially they have now given us a space in their warehouse to put the car back together which is a huge help.
Since the early Sixties when TD Fitchett or (Tony to those who know him well), launched in the accident repair market, fixing cars that have become today’s classics.
The firm produces gearboxes, overdrives, final drives and many small panels. Larger panels are manufactured off-site using original Triumph tooling, some of which has been improved to ensure a better-than-new fit. Many parts are hand-built by Tony to ensure build quality remains high – an early Triumph Herald with only 248 miles on the clock was kept as one of many reference items.
Today, TD Fitchett is one of the largest suppliers to the classic trade. If you’re in the market for Triumph parts TD Fitchett will come as a pleasant surprise.
CONTACT:
TD Fitchett, Redland Industrial Estate, Telford, Shropshire TF2 9JX.
Phone: 01952 620434
Click for more ...
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| Classic & Vintage Dynamos Ltd |
Dynamos, starters, alternators, wiper motors for all classic, veteran & vintage cars at very reasonable prices.
Very kindly donated a dynamo, starter, wiper motor & voltage regulator at the Stafford International in 2012.
Units 3 -4 Vernon Street Industrial Estate,
Shirebrook,
Notts,
NG20 8SS
Tel: 01623 747666
Customer quote:-
I met this guy at the Triumph Spares day today, and bought a starter motor for my Herald. He said I could pay by card (£30) or £25 cash ... I had a total of £23.40 on me and asked if he would accept that. He said he would, and then took pity on me and let me have it for £20! What a nice guy!
Click for more ...
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| Andrew Turner |
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We recondition carburettors for many classic cars, as well as stocking new and used parts for those brave enough to tackle the rebuild themselves.
Click for more ...
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| Linxdesign Internet Ltd |
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Linxdesign provided this website for TSSC Shropshire and have purchased some parts for the Shropshire Spitfire.
Click for more ...
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