Dont tempt me!!!!
Interesting comment on gearbox though, agree Mk3 was probably better looking than the mk4/1500 but gearbox...no syncro on 1st, having to change bushes on gearbox remote every 10000 miles to keep the change good, nope would have to say I had no problems with 1500 box in any car that I drove (includes Dolys as well as Spits)
As for 1500v1300, 1300 faster revving but 1500 when it was in the Spitfire had more torque, but detuned in the midget because the chassis and morris minor diff could not take the power in standard form.
Best feature was the overdrive superb for high speed cruising, was never fitted in the Midget as BL had detuned the engine.
The comment regarding R&D how could you expect to sell a mass produced sports car (bar the Stag and TR7 which were developed later) in the 80s that had it origins in the 1950s both engine and chassis with very little change in design for both.
At least Morgan had a design going back to the 1930's before anyone reminds me and had more up to date engines!
