Father in law bought it on eBay drunk a couple of years ago and then realised that classic car ownership was more than putting the roof down and going to the beach on a nice sunny day.
Knew I was into cars and confidently proclaimed that it was now as much mine as his. Which is a really lovely gesture.
Except I wish I could have had had a say in it, because I would have rather the Stag for the childhood nostalgia of my uncle's.
There was once a time when Spitfires were quite common, plenty showing up at car shows and such, but they seem to be quite a rarity now. In fact I'm not sure the last time I saw one of any Mk in the flesh other than my own.
Anyway,, here she is. The Spitty.
My bad, I was thinking you were talking about the new 124!
I think both are probably comparable in their mechanical and electrical simplicity. The 124 is more lusted after, it's Italian after all. Personally, it it were my money I think the 124 would be the one I'd go for. It's a bit more exotic. Looks a little bit Ferarri-ish with the PinaFarina name.
They are pretty dang rare though, depending on your market. I'm UK and I don't think there's any for sale here at the moment, at least not on the mainstream classifieds.
If you can afford the 124, go for it. A Spitfire is interesting, it's playful, but it's just another British 60s/70s little sports car in a market of Sprites, MGBs, Midgets and TR2//3/4/5/6s.
By all accounts, the 124 was far more pioneering and ahead of it's time. It's a much more drivable car according to what people seem to say. But the Spitfire can be a bit more nimble and go-karty.