Triumph TR6

The Triumph TR6 (1968–76) is a sports car built by British Triumph Motor Company between 1968 and 1976. It was the best-seller of the TR range when production ended. 91,850 TR6s were produced.

The engine and transmission were generally similar to the TR5, but the bodywork was all new, with front and back squared off, reportedly as a result of a consultancy contract involving Karmann.

All TR6s were powered by Triumph’s 2.5-litre straight-6, with the same Lucas mechanical fuel-injection as the TR5 for the United Kingdom and global markets, and carburetted for the United States, as had been the US-only TR250. The TR6PI (petrol-injection) system helped the home-market TR6 produce 150 bhp (110 kW) (152 hp DIN) at model introduction.

The TR6 featured a four-speed manual transmission. An optional electrically switched overdrive operated on second, third, and fourth gears on early models and third and fourth on later ones. Construction was traditional frame. Other features included semi-trailing arm independent rear suspension, rack and pinion steering, 15-inch (380 mm) wheels and Michelin asymmetric XAS tyres which dramatically improved the handling, pile carpet on floors and trunk/boot, bucket seats, and full instrumentation. Brakes were discs at the front and drums at the rear. A factory steel hardtop was optional, requiring two people to deploy. The dashboard was walnut veneer. Other factory options included a rear anti-roll bar and a limited-slip differential.

About this car

Finished is a time period correct Saffron Yellow and powered by a 2500 cc carburated engine this TR6 is an eye catcher.

Even though this is not a one of a kind motor, there are around 90000 made, it is great fun to look at and drive. The previous owner of the car was my father. Well more specifically, he chased the car back in the early eighties and found it somewhat abandoned in an old fuel station in Belgium. After a considerable time and a lot of coffees and sweet words the, at that time, owner sold the car to my dad. As proud as he could be he towed, yes they did tow cars with a rope that time, so he towed the TR6 to their home, a 40 kilometer drive. Me sitting in the towing car, my dad was to proud about his buy that he wanted to sit in his TR6 even when it was not driving at her own steam. About a kilometer from home we stopped. This was the great moment, he unleashed the TR6 and drove her all the way, one kilometer, to her new home. What a great sight. My mother thought otherwise, but ok.

And there she went, into the shed. Together with a Triumph GT6 and an NSU RO80. Every, or nearly every Sunday you could find my dad in one of his cars for several hours. Just enjoying the being in the car, firing her up and listening to the sound. Moving her a few meters back and forth, you have to keep the car free you know. About twenty something years later she had to go together with the GT6. Why? Well, he wanted to buy himself a birthday present and had his mind set on a Lotus Eclat one off. So anyway, the TR6 was for sale in one package with the GT6. And guess who bought it? Yep, me.

I immediately sold the GT6, stupid me, and the TR6 was integrated in what later became The Basement Collection.

Since then we kept most of the car original, even the remains of an earlier accident. But the car is a runner now and luckily we have been driving her far more than my dad ever did.

The outside

As mentioned, she is finished in Saffran Yellow, a colour that is perfect for her and the seventies. Together with the huge wheels, yes fifteen inch wheels were huge, and sharp edged body line gives this car a very masculine look. The body skin is good apart from the trunk lid that was damaged by an accident and poorly repaired. The doors open and close as they should do as does the hood. The paint has very little scratches, the car is almost not driven. The chromework is good. The rubber sealings are all there and most of them are replaced some years ago.

On the inside

Getting in the car is more easy than it looks. The seat grabs you into place and put you straight in front of the quite big and sporty steering wheel. Behind the steering wheel the dials smile at you. When you fire her up the rpm dial jumps up saying … let’s have some fun.

All dials are in good working order in a very nice wooden dashboard.

The seats, the inner trim, the mohair soft top, o did I mention there is an original hard top included, all in good condition. For the hard top, well you will need two of you to mount this. Once mounted the car is looking even more special. The carpets are all replaced by high quality wool ones. In the trunk you will find the spare wheel, jack and some tools.

Underneath

Under the hood you will find now a six-cylinder carbureted 2.5 liter engine. A 2.5 PI is available but is not mounted in the TR6 yet. The PI was replaced at the time because, as you know, there were a lot of problems with the mechanical Lucas fuel-injection. And since Triumph used carburetors for the US market it was a common and easy switch. The area around the engine is sound.

The chassis is all healthy and sound. Disk brakes, calipers, tubes, drum brakes etc all replaced to make it a safe car to handle on the road.

History

We are talking about a four owner car here, in the same family for over thirty years now and hardly used. A Belgian car, always stayed in Belgium. Unfortunately has been in a car accident during one of the first years of her existence. Now part of The Basement Collection.

What we think

We have been driving this car a few times and we can only conclude this is a very enjoyable lady. Runs and drives as she should, definitely not concours but meant to be used for road trips, rallies, etc. Prices for the TR6’s are stable around 20k€ for some time now.

Since the car is part of not only the collection but of the family, she is not for sale today. But, never say never.