The Triumph Spitfire was introduced in 1962 as a small, affordable sports car designed to compete with other popular roadsters of the time, such as the MG Midget. It was based on the chassis and mechanical components of the Triumph Herald but featured a distinct two-seat body design.The early Spitfires were powered by a 1.1-liter inline-four engine. Over the years, the engine size increased, and various iterations of the Spitfire, including the Mk II, Mk III, Mk IV, and Spitfire 1500, featured larger engines and improvements in performance.

The Triumph Spitfire gained popularity in motorsports, including racing and rallying. Its lightweight construction and responsive handling made it a competitive choice for amateur racing enthusiasts.

Production of the Triumph Spitfire continued until 1980, when it was eventually discontinued. The decision to end production was influenced by changing safety and emissions regulations, as well as the introduction of newer models.