Aluminum covers on rear fenders keep stone damage minimal. Air scoop really
works! (I had to re-jet the carbs.)
Phil McConnell's 1974 Spitfire with 350 Chevy V8
Owner: Phil McConnellModel: 1974 Triumph Spitfire
Engine: 1994 Chevrolet 350cid V8
Conversion performed by: Owner
| Engine: | Comp Cams 280H, Edlebrock Performer intake, Carter AFB, Hooker Super
Comp block hugger headers, Crane HI-6 Ignition, Mallory blueprinted HEI
distributor. |
| Transmission: | 1995 Borg Warner T-56, Center Force dual friction clutch. |
| Differential: | 1994 'Vette, 3.75:1 Richmond gears (2.59 was stock). |
| Frame: | 1.5"x3"x3/16" wall steel tubing. Owner designed and fabricated,
very rigid. |
| Suspension and Brakes: | 1994 'Vette, using stock "soft ride" springs, coil overs were
not to my liking. Power steering and brakes, no ABS. 1985 'Vette
wheels 16x8.5 and 16x9.5. Currently running Yokohama tires
245/45/16 and 255/50/16 (third set of tires in 18,000 miles). |
| Interior: | Stock dash and steering column, VDO tach and programmable
speedo, Miata seats, hand made floors and tunnel. Complete
roof that folds up like stock, new door panels, roll up windows,
heater (works great with the 350 feeding it heat). |
| Body: | 1974 Spitfire, all steel flares, GT-6 hood. TransAm shaker
hood scoop. Stock Lucas wiring harness... It all works!
1983 Camaro radiator. |
| Comments: | The ride is unbelievably smooth, but very tight. The handling,
acceleration and stopping power are world class! |
In the beginning, there were hand-made frame rails (shown being fitted to the 1994 'Vette rear-end.) Tired 1983 Camaro engine and 700R4 transmission in background with complete 1994 'Vette frame front-clip.
Frame completed. 305 and 700R4 mounted. 350 retrofitted after a year of use. T56 retrofitted 6 months after that.
Dad's little helpers and styling consultants. They picked the color! (Ford's ultraviolet clearcoat.)
Frame painted. Engine, transmission, and all suspension mounted.
Five months after beginning the project, the car was driven around the block in this configuration, then trailered to the alignment shop. The 4-wheel alignment was done at this point to insure that the flares would look right when finished.
Beginning the flares, using 3/8" steel brake tubing. The GT-6 hood was found when the car was at the alignment shop. I liked the bubble and the vents. The stainless steel trim on top of the fender matches the rear fender.
After the skeleton of the flares was done, cardboard templates were made. The fender flares are 100% (hand-rolled and welded) steel.
Flares spot-welded in place (all joints were then welded 100% and ground smooth.) The front bumper didn't make the final cut.
