Spitfire General Specification Data
If not specified, data refers to Spitfire 1500
| Capacities | non-US market | US market |
| Fuel | 37.6 liters | 9.9 gallons |
| Engine oil with filter change | 4.5 liters | 4.75 quarts |
| Engine oil without filter change | 4.0 liters | 4.25 quarts |
| Gearbox | .85 liters | .9 quarts |
| Gearbox with overdrive | 1.35 litres | 1.4 quarts |
| Final Drive (diff.) | .57 liters | .6 quarts |
| Cooling System | 4.5 liters | 4.75 quarts (1.2 gallons) |
| Engine Specs.(Tuning Data) | non-US market | US market (the same as non-US if no difference is indicated) |
| Number of cylinders | 4 in line | – |
| Bore of cylinders | 2.9 in (73.7 mm) | – |
| Stroke of crankshaft | 3.44 in (87.5mm) | – |
| Capacity | 91 cubic in (1493 cc) | – |
| Compression ratio | 9.0:1 | 7.5:1 (1976 – 9.0:1) |
| Maximum power | 71 b.h.p. Din at 5500 rpm | 53 b.h.p. SAE net at 5000 rpm |
| Maximum torque | 985 lbf/in at 3000 rpm | 830 lbf/in at 2500 rpm |
| engine weight (approx.) | 220 lbs. (100kgs) stripped plus weight of manifolds and flywheel | |
| Lubrication for capacities see ourLubrication Specifications page | ||
| Oil pump | High capacity rotor type | – |
| Oil filter | Full flow type, disposable cartridge | – |
| Oil warning light | Extinguishes at 3 to 5 lb/in2 (0.21 to 0.35 kg/cm2) oil pressure | |
| Cooling System | ||
| Type | ‘No-loss’ Water system | – |
| Circulation | impeller type pump, Vee belt driven | |
| Pressure | 13lb/in2 (0.91kg/cm2) | – |
| Thermostat | Opens at 82 C (180 F) summer, 88 C (190 F) winter | |
| Fan | 7 blades 12 1/2 in diameter | 13 blades 12 1/2 in diameter with viscous coupling |
| Fan belt | 0.75″ to 1″ (19-25 mm) deflection at mid point of longest run | |
| Fuel system (also see Tuning Data page) | ||
| Tank (limited fill fuel tank) | 37.6 liters | 9.9 gallons |
| Fuel Octane | 1970 Mk3: 100 octane 1974-80 1500: 91 octane | |
| Pump | Mechanically operated diaphragm type | – |
| Carburetter | Twin SHUS4 side draughts | Single Stromberg 150 CDSE side draught [1970] Single Stromberg 150 CD4 side draught [1975,1979-80] Single Stromberg 150 CD4T? side draught [1976-1978] California market Single Stromberg CD4T 150 auto-choke, side draught |
| Air Cleaner | Combined air cleaner and silencer with replacement paper elements | U.S.A. models fitted with a temperature controlled inlet air flow |
| Crankcase ventilation | Closed circuit breathing from rocker cover to constant depression side of carburetters. | |
| Evaporative Emission control | N/A | U.S.A. models only, sealed tank filler cap. Vapor emissions from tank are vented via a separator canister to a carbon canister located in the engine compartment. Canister is purged by carburetter depression. An air pump injects air into each exhaust port via a distribution manifold and an E.G.R. valve. A service indicator located in the engine bay illuminates a warning light on the facia when the E.G.R. valve is due for periodical maintenance. |
| Clutch | ||
| Make/type | Borg and beck, single dry plate, diaphragm spring type | |
| Release mechanism | Hydraulically operated | – |
| Plate diameter | 6.5″ to 1500, 7.25″ after | – |
| Facing material | Borg and Beck 11046 H.K. Porter 11046 | |
| Gearbox | ||
| Synchromesh | On forward gears | – |
| O/D 4th4thO/D 3rd3rd2nd1stRev.Gear Ratios-1.00-1.392.163.50 or 3.99 (Mk3)3.99Overall: USA3.103.894.315.428.4013.6215.51Overall: non USA2.893.634.035.057.8510.7014.48 | ||
| Overdrive (Optional) | – | – |
| Make/type | Laycock J-Type | – |
| Operative on | 4th and 3rd gears | – |
| Overall ratio | 0.797:1 | – |
| Final Drive (also see final drive page) | ||
| Type | Hypoid bevel gears in rear axle | – |
| Ratio | 3.63:1 | 3.89:1 |
| Effective Gearing (Approximate values depending on type and condition of tires) | ||
| O/D 4th4thO/D 3rd3rd2nd1stEngine speeds (rev/min) at road speed of 10 mph-U.S.A.47459566082712822084Non U.S.A.44255561677212001942 | ||
| Road speed Data (Approximate values depending on type and condition of tires) | ||
| Road speed at 1,000 re/min engine speed O/D 4th gear | 22.6 mph | 21.2 mph |
| 4th gear | 16.7 mph | 18.0 mph |
| Steering | ||
| Make/Type | Alford & Alder, rack and pinion | – |
| Turning circle | Spitfire 1500: 24 feet (7.3 metres) GT6: 25 feet 3′ | – |
| Steering wheel diameter | 14.5 in (368mm) | – |
| Steering wheel nut | 1 1/16″ | – |
| Turns lock to lock | 3 3/4 | – |
| Brake System | ||
| Foot pedal | Hydraulic on all four wheels | Tandem master cylinder operating front and rear brakes independently |
| Hand brake | Mechanical on rear wheels only | – |
| Type | Caliper disc front, Drums rear | – |
| Disc diameter | 9 in (229mm) | – |
| Disk Lining area | 14.8 in2 (95cm2) | – |
| Disk Swept area | 150.0 in2 (967 cm2) | – |
| Wheels And Tires for more info see our Wheels/Tires page | ||
| Wheels | 3.5 x 13 Steel disk (Mk1-early Mk3) 4 1/2 x 13 Steel disc type (Mk3 up) 5 x 13 (1980) | – |
| Tires | 155SR x 13 in radial ply | – |
| Tire pressures-front | 21 lb/in2 (1.476 kg/cm2) (18 for Mk1-3) | – |
| Tire pressures- rear | 26lb/in2 (1.828 kg/cm2) (24 for Mk1-3) | – |
| wheel lug bolt studs | 3/8″ | – |
| Chassis Data | ||
| Wheelbase | 83 in (2110 mm) | – |
| Track (2 up condition): front | 49 in (1244 mm) | – |
| Track (2 up condition): rear | Spitfire Mk1-4/GT6 Mk1: 48 in GT6 Mk2-3: 49 in Spitfire 1500: 50 in (1270 mm) | – |
| Wheel alignment (2 up condition) front | 0 to 1/16 in toe in (0 to 1.5875 mm) | For more info about alignments, visit the alignment page |
| rear | 0 to 1/16 in toe in (0 to 1.5875 mm) | – |
| Ground clearance (2 up condition) | GT6: 4 in (102 mm) Spit: 5 in (127 mm) | – |
| Camber (2 up condition) front | 2 degrees positive ±1/2 | – |
| rear | 3 1/4 degrees negative ± 1 | – |
| Caster (2 up condition) | 4 1/2 ± 1/2 | – |
| King Pin inclination (2 up condition) | 6 3/4 ± 3/4 | – |
| Electrical Equipment | ||
| Electrical System | 12 volt negative earth | – |
| Battery capacity | 40 amp hour at 20 hour rate | – |
| Alternator type | Mk3: Lucas C40-1 limited by v.r. to 22 amp max. 1500: Lucas 16 ACR output 34 amps | – |
| Starter motor | M.35 J inertia type | – |
| Overall Dimensions | ||
| Length | 149 in (3785 mm) | 155.25 in (3943 mm), 1976-1980: 156.3 in (3970) |
| Width | 58.5 in (1488 mm) | – |
| Height (unladen) to top of windscreen | 44.25 in (1125 mm) | 43.7 in (1110 mm) |
| Soft top hood erect | 45.8 in (1162 mm) | 45.6 in (1159 mm) |
| Hard top | 45.2 in (1148 mm) | 45.4 in (1153 mm) |
| Weights (approx) | ||
| Dry (excluding extra equipment) | 763 kg | 804 kg, 1976-80: 1761 lb (799 kg) |
| Basic Kerb (including water, oil, fuel and tools) | 792 kg | 829 kg, 1976-80: 1814 lb (823 kg) |
| Kerb (including optional extras, water, oil, etc.) | 841 kg | 876 kg, 1976-80: 1900 lb (862 kg) |
| Maximum gross vehicle weight | 1036 kg | 1061 kg, 1976-80: 2339 lb (1061 kg) |
| Hardtop weight | 58 lbs. | |
| Towing Information | ||
| Maximum recommended trailer weight | 610 kg-when trailer being towed is equipped with brakes 200 kg-when trailer being towed is not equipped with brakes, providing that the total car and trailer laden weights do not exceed 1112 kg | |
| Maximum starting gradient (fully laden car and trailer) | 5.5 degrees (with car engine in peak condition) | |
| Maximum climbable gradient (fully laden car and trailer) | 4.3 degrees (with car engine in peak condition) | |