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I'm converting a 1979 Triumph Spitfire to electric. Seeing the other Spitfire conversions here, it seems to be at least a mildly popular choice.
For me, when I thought through what donor to pick, I decided I wanted something with some classic style, preferably convertible, 2-seater, and fun to tool around in. I narrowed my options down to 60's to 70's Fiat, Triumph, or MG.
I looked for a few months for an appropriate donor and finally found this 1979 Triumph Spitfire. It has a relatively decent exterior, non-functioning ICE, and overall was in decent enough condition. (I didn't want to embark on a complete restoration project.)
I began acquiring major components saving them for the day when I would have the time to put into the conversion. I've still got quite a few of the minor components to buy and piece it all together.
I've read most everything I could get my hands on about doing a conversion and I've followed these forums for a while -- which has been an unending source of inspiration, and based on how top-notch the work is in quite a few of the builds, it's also been humbling to watch the masters at work.
Builders like evmetro, steelneck, toddshotrods, favguy, skooler and others have shown me how good a quality, creative build can be.
And of course the other Spitfire builders, Moltenmetal, ClinkK, Bottomfeeder have provided quite a bit of information on the specifics of converting a Spitfire -- which is extremely helpful!
I see my build being an evolution. I don't see, or necessarily want it to end. I'll get to my first 'completion' point and I'm sure I'll have many ideas on how to make it better. So it will continue to evolve.
That being said, the design decisions are based on many factors, not the least of which are budget, time available, skills and tools for the mechanical fabrication, etc.
I've been an electronics engineer for over 30 years, specializing in embedded product design including both the hardware and software. So I just couldn't leave the electronics alone. Along the way, part of my build will be about designing major electronic components of my own for the build, and build in as much style and uniqueness as possible.
I'm a lot less confident on the mechanical fabrication side of the build. I've been a bit of a 'gearhead' my whole life, but it's not my first language. So on this part I tend to plan, plan, plan, plan and re-plan before making a move -- which stretches the timeline.
During the build I welcome all suggestions, comments, etc. that will help.
Here's the donor. The picture makes it look better than it is, but its certainly not bad.. more on the donor in the next post.
Pic with the hard-top on. ( I had just moved so lots of boxes in the garage at the time!)
A little more moved in.. but conversion hadn't started yet.
For me, when I thought through what donor to pick, I decided I wanted something with some classic style, preferably convertible, 2-seater, and fun to tool around in. I narrowed my options down to 60's to 70's Fiat, Triumph, or MG.
I looked for a few months for an appropriate donor and finally found this 1979 Triumph Spitfire. It has a relatively decent exterior, non-functioning ICE, and overall was in decent enough condition. (I didn't want to embark on a complete restoration project.)
I began acquiring major components saving them for the day when I would have the time to put into the conversion. I've still got quite a few of the minor components to buy and piece it all together.
I've read most everything I could get my hands on about doing a conversion and I've followed these forums for a while -- which has been an unending source of inspiration, and based on how top-notch the work is in quite a few of the builds, it's also been humbling to watch the masters at work.
Builders like evmetro, steelneck, toddshotrods, favguy, skooler and others have shown me how good a quality, creative build can be.
And of course the other Spitfire builders, Moltenmetal, ClinkK, Bottomfeeder have provided quite a bit of information on the specifics of converting a Spitfire -- which is extremely helpful!
I see my build being an evolution. I don't see, or necessarily want it to end. I'll get to my first 'completion' point and I'm sure I'll have many ideas on how to make it better. So it will continue to evolve.
That being said, the design decisions are based on many factors, not the least of which are budget, time available, skills and tools for the mechanical fabrication, etc.
I've been an electronics engineer for over 30 years, specializing in embedded product design including both the hardware and software. So I just couldn't leave the electronics alone. Along the way, part of my build will be about designing major electronic components of my own for the build, and build in as much style and uniqueness as possible.
I'm a lot less confident on the mechanical fabrication side of the build. I've been a bit of a 'gearhead' my whole life, but it's not my first language. So on this part I tend to plan, plan, plan, plan and re-plan before making a move -- which stretches the timeline.
During the build I welcome all suggestions, comments, etc. that will help.
Here's the donor. The picture makes it look better than it is, but its certainly not bad.. more on the donor in the next post.

Pic with the hard-top on. ( I had just moved so lots of boxes in the garage at the time!)

A little more moved in.. but conversion hadn't started yet.
