Evolving through five guises over the course of an eighteen-year production run, the final Spitfire variant, the 1500, arrived in 1974.

With a reputed 71bhp and 82lb.

ft.

of torque on tap from its 1,493cc OHV four-cylinder engine, the newcomer boasted genuine 100mph performance.

Visually indistinguishable from its Mk.

IV forebear save for some minor trim differences, the Spitfire 1500 was a decent seller on both sides of the Atlantic and the model remained in production until August, 1980.

Showing only twelve registered keepers from new, and one keeper for ten years from 2001 to 2011, since 2015 this lovely Spitfire has enjoyed a more salubrious period of long-term ownership.

Prior to its acquisition the current registered keeper, it had been allowed to deteriorate until it was requiring restoration.

The current keeper then stepped up to the challenge and fully restored over the first year of his ownership, spending in the region of £6,300 on new parts alone.

The work included...