Shropshire Spitfire project approaches the finish line
A 15-year labour of love by a group of Shropshire classic car enthusiasts to restore a 1965 Triumph Spitfire sports car is revving towards the finish line.
The Shropshire Spitfire will be auctioned next year to raise much-needed money for the Severn Hospice located in both Shrewsbury and Telford.
The first target, however, is to get the restored car ready for a guest appearance at the Classic Car Show at the NEC in Birmingham in November.
The eye-catching Triumph Spitfire Mark 2, with its original hard ‘bubble’ top, was an 18th birthday gift for Karen Miller from her late father, Bob Dyke, from Shrewsbury, in 1984.
Sadly, Karen never felt comfortable driving the car because of the gearbox’s ‘double clutching’ gear changing technique, so Triumph enthusiast Bob decided to keep it in his garage to restore.
Fate intervened, however, when Bob died of cancer at the hospice, leaving Karen to decide what to do with the car. She contacted David Embery just a couple of weeks after he had formed the Triumph Sports Six Club (TSSC) Shropshire Area Group and a charitable project was launched to take over the restoration.
Over the years, countless people have volunteered their expertise, time and sponsorship to support the often challenging project. The mission from the start has not only been to restore the Triumph Spitfire to its former glory, but also to support the Severn Hospice.
The hospice has touched the lives of thousands of people across Shropshire and Mid Wales, including Shropshire TSSC members’ families, and continues to be there for patients and their families when they most need care and support.
“Karen asked our group if we could help her do something with the Spitfire because she knew that her father loved the car,” explained David.
“We 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.”
Most of the car body has been replaced due to rust and the engine re-bored, re-ground and rebuilt. The drive train, chassis, brakes and other parts have all been refurbished thanks to generous sponsors.
