We're puzzled as to the message that Triumph's American advertisers are trying to deliver here. Spitfires win races as long as they have a huge crew of Whitworth-equipped mechanics on hand, but you'll be lucky to groan along at 40 in the slow lane? The version of the Spitfire sold in the US (not-so-affectionately dubbed the Shitfire by many owners) suffered mightily from US vehicle regulations of the 70s; emissions laws strangled engine output, headlight-height laws forced the front suspension to gain height, and crash bumpers added weight and ugliness.

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