Triumph TR6 - let's discuss

[MMARSH]

I've gone back and forth on them for years. I've always thought they were great looking little cars. Are they a 911, nope. Honestly, thats part of the charm for me. I don't think I will scratch that itch till I get one. This dealer has some nice drivers. Usually has videos of running them thru the paces and then a good walk around of them. I've noticed they don't seem to stick around very long and the prices really haven't changed to much over the last year or so. I think you could buy one, play around with it for awhile and sell it and make out ok.

Inventory | Kurt Tanner Motorcars
https://kurttannermotorcars.com/inventory/

[rfuerst911sc]

Just to be clear , I am posting just to start auto related conversations . I am not looking to buy a TR6 . I just thought it would be nice to discuss cars on a car forum ........

[zelrik911]

Here is another review with a quite decent car, rather than a "project". Much less doom & gloom.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wjrvCnOn_0&ab_channel=MGMidget-TheBirthofaRacecar

[gregpark]

The British shouldn't be allowed to cook food or build cars

[Nickshu]

My Dad has a 1972 TR6 he restored in the past few years. You want a 1973 or earlier. From 1974 on they are choked horribly by emissions equipment, worse by the year. If you can find one with the factory overdrive transmission it's very rare.

One thing worth noting on the TR6, they were designed for RHD. For USA LHD models when you sit in the car your feet/legs/body is angled to the left with the gas pedal about in the center of the footwell b/c of the transmission tunnel. It's a weird seating position. Plus the ignition key is between your legs, under the steering column. The first time I drove it I really found it odd, I guess you would get used to it.

There is an outfit called Goodparts that makes lots of special parts that overcome some of the Brits "design shortcomings" including suspension and cooling. They are very simple cars and cheap to restore. Literally everything is made for it aftermarket you can even buy an entire replacement frame. Almost all parts are shared across other Leyland models, MG, etc.

Helps that Top Gear guys voted the TR6 "the best blokes car ever built". I love the look of the TR6, but like pretty much ALL old cars for me, they are fun to look at but horrible to drive.

[ZOO]

They do sound lovely with the right exhaust . . . I've only been in one, once, a long time ago.

[Chocaholic]

Owned a 71 some time ago. About what you’d expect in terms of quality from almost anything of that era. But for a weekend tinkerer and sunny day car...perfect.

On one point I’ll respectfully disagree with Nick. The later cars (74-76) are great too as the smog stuff is easily removed and most have already done so.

Have never owned a “B” but this guy has one listed that seems interesting for the $. And not terribly far away from us N. Georgians...

If we weren’t planning to move in the spring, I’d be all over this:

https://charlotte.craigslist.org/cto/d/matthews-1974-mg-mgb-overdrive-the-mgb/7419739869.html

[masraum]

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

In-line six, twin carbs, two seats, a vestigal top, wood dash, 3 pedals, a design that's just an update of a successful predecessor.

Quintessential sports car.

What's not to like.

One of the cool parts about the experience is when you are exiting the car, you turn your head and can't help noticing that the big rear tire and chrome wire wheel is inches away from your butt...

Exactly. Many years ago, I sold by old 911 and replaced it with a miata. It took a little getting used to. In the miata, I could open the door and reach out and without stretching, touch the rear tire. After driving the 911 for 5 years, it felt odd for a bit. (I don't rememeber the 911 ever feeling odd in any way, it felt familiar and comfortable from the start)

Originally Posted by Norm K

I have the TR6 to thank for getting into Porsches around 30 years ago.

I'd looked at one the day before and told the guy I'd meet him at his credit union, because they held the title. He was to arrive before they closed and get the title and I was going to be there shortly after.

Got there, and was admiring the TR6 while he counted the money I'd handed him. When asked for the title, he told me he wasn't sure I was going to show up so he didn't go in ... and by then they were, of course, closed.

I took my money back and while driving home, saw a 912 with a for sale sign in it. Bought it on the spot. Seven P-cars, and 79 various other cars later, I've yet to own a Triumph.

_

That's a great story. I find that when something seems like it's not working out, it often works out better than you expected in the end, and it sounds like that's the experience that you had.

Originally Posted by zelrik911

This is a good English car - if you get a decent example.
Primitive, but everything is fixable and simple and the spare part situation is very good too, like the 911 (without the PCar Tax).

They have a chassis & rust is the big enemy.
Everyone likes them, wives will ride in them. They are a poor cousin to a big Healey and prices are going up a bit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7N2k5nCGs8&ab_channel=VanInhalin

This guy has good no-nonsense restoration videos.

Don't get one like this! It looks good BUT:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAzaU7cbfvs&ab_channel=ElinYakov%27sRustyBeauties

Without having driven either, I think I'd really like to have either (preference would be the AH).

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

There are two types of Triumphs.

Those that are for sale and those that are not.

The former is not the one you want.

True story, my 13,000 mile TR7, the left headlight would not pop up unless you turned on the defroster.

One day i dig in and pull the switch.

The backolite case is cracked, held together by a dried up brittle rubberband and scotch tape.

It came from the factory that way.

And that was the most “normal” problem that car had.

Felt like a boat owner when i finally sold it.

That's fantastic! What you call "character."

I had a HS buddy buy a Triumph Spitfire. It definitely looked the part of the little Brit sports car. What I found odd was that he was telling me that going up a particular hill near us, he'd had to downshift to keep his speed up. At the time, we had a Chevette with 52hp, and it didn't need the downshift to get up the hill. I don't remember exactly, but I don't think he'd had it more than a couple/few weeks when he determined that it either had a blown head gasket or something was cracked.

Originally Posted by gregpark

The British shouldn't be allowed to cook food or build cars

Hahahah. Come on, Lotus and McLaren.... A stopped clock, and all that...

[Chocaholic]

Remember...the reason the English drink warm beer.

Lucas made refrigerators too.

[recycled sixtie]

Originally Posted by Evans, Marv

I had a TR3 in the late sixties. Not much of a performer but a great open air car to enjoy driving as you drag your knuckles on the pavement. I wouldn't be interested in a TR6, but maybe a TR4 would do.

Yes Marv I agree with you on the TR3 performance. I bought mine used. It had a leaky gas tank and rusted like crazy. However the exhaust note was memorable. After that the TR4 was the best looker.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Chocaholic

Owned a 71 some time ago. About what you’d expect in terms of quality from almost anything of that era. But for a weekend tinkerer and sunny day car...perfect.

On one point I’ll respectfully disagree with Nick. The later cars (74-76) are great too as the smog stuff is easily removed and most have already done so.

Have never owned a “B” but this guy has one listed that seems interesting for the $. And not terribly far away from us N. Georgians...

If we weren’t planning to move in the spring, I’d be all over this:

https://charlotte.craigslist.org/cto/d/matthews-1974-mg-mgb-overdrive-the-mgb/7419739869.html

That little MGB does look great. It's got the chrome bumpers instead of the horrible later rubber units, the minilites, and just all around looks fantastic.
And he's got those two older cars coming up for sale if they aren't already.

I need to make a lot more money...

[LEAKYSEALS951]

I've always liked dem deep dish rim hoops on the tr6. The rear wheels just have that 'right' stance.

Friend had a tr4.
Uncle had tr3
Lots of friends with mgbs and midgits.

If I were to do it, I would do a Spitfire chassis ground up restoration with not a single english thing on it.

[recycled sixtie]

Originally Posted by LEAKYSEALS951

I've always liked dem deep dish rim hoops on the tr6. The rear wheels just have that 'right' stance.

Friend had a tr4.
Uncle had tr3
Lots of friends with mgbs and midgits.

If I were to do it, I would do a Spitfire chassis ground up restoration with not a single english thing on it.

I got a ride in a Spitfire once. It seemed gutless. The best thing I heard a few years ago though was a Spitfire with a V8 in it. The Spitfire has great lines though...

[LEAKYSEALS951]

Originally Posted by recycled sixtie

I got a ride in a Spitfire once. It seemed gutless. The best thing I heard a few years ago though was a Spitfire with a V8 in it. The Spitfire has great lines though...

That's what Id want to do. Basically English-ectomy the entire thing, installing more competent and dependable everything. I would just want the chassis for the lines.

This is one of my "when I win the lottery" projects.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by LEAKYSEALS951

That's what Id want to do. Basically English-ectomy the entire thing, installing more competent and dependable everything. I would just want the chassis for the lines.

This is one of my "when I win the lottery" projects.

Need a miata/spitfire hybrid. Something that starts and runs whenever you ask.

[Chocaholic]

Originally Posted by masraum

That little MGB does look great. It's got the chrome bumpers instead of the horrible later rubber units, the minilites, and just all around looks fantastic.
And he's got those two older cars coming up for sale if they aren't already.

I need to make a lot more money...

As a result of this thread...and in a moment of weakness I sent the guy a note.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Chocaholic

As a result of this thread...and in a moment of weakness I sent the guy a note.

Great, let me live vicariously through you!

[Chocaholic]

Originally Posted by masraum

Great, let me live vicariously through you!

No need. Here’s his reply. My guess is this dealer will sell it in CA for double his purchase price…

Hi Mike,
I sold the car in less than 2 days to a dealer in California. Most of my MGBs and TR6s sell within a week. My cars are very good cars when I’m done with the refurbishment taking several weeks to several months. Of the 16-18 cars I’ve sold over the past year and a half, I have never had a buyer come back with a single issue. I take great pride and enjoyment getting these great cars ready for the next 40 years.

Keep looking for my ads. I’m sure I’ll have lots more cars in 2022

[SCadaddle]

I've got a close friend that has a very presentable running/driving 68' MGC-GT that he might be interested in parting with.

[p911dad]

I owned a 1969 TR6 until summer of 2020, when I sold it for 20K on BAT. I bought it from the original owner, its serial # was 25124CC and was a very early example built in October 1968. I can say I put about 6K in over time to get it perfect, just about broke even at the end. The original owner bought it at the factory and brought it back to NC when his company sent him home.



It was a fun project over 4 years and I learned a lot about old English sports cars, Lucas electrics and how reliable AAA is dispatching rollback tow trucks (very reliable around here). When the TR6 was running well, it was a blast to run on back roads, but when not, it was very unreliable at times and left me at the side of the road at least 5 times. I would say it was made for a different time and place. On expressways I always felt like I was flogging it as it didn't have the overdrive option. Some guys have added Toyota 5 speed transmissions, but I didn't want to spend that much or mess up a basically original example. It had no rust anywhere and had never left the NC area, so it never tasted salted roads.

I bought it in a nostalgic mood as my late brother and I ran a green TR3A back in the early 1960's, a fun car that got me into sports cars of all makes and into 3 aircooled 911's including my current 993.

Would I ever buy another one? Not at this stage in my life, but owning one gives you a sense of what "hairy chested sports cars" are really like. One cannot in any way compare them or Healy's or MG's to any current sports car experience, they are primitive but you really know it's just you in control of a basic machine and not a bunch of computers hidden in the sheet metal with you making "inputs" to aid them in controlling the car. Anyone considering owning one should have some good, basic mechanical skills and tools and only buy a very good example. If there is any rust, expect to find more in unexpected places and that gets very expensive very fast.

This is the original owner just after buying it from the Triumph factory.