1969 Triumph TR6
Street/Track, Supra 5-Speed
1-Family Owned, Restored California Car
Back on the market, this beautifully restored, one-family-owned 1969 Triumph TR6 for sale. The car currently starts, runs, and drives, but it needs work. Please read the description below for a full understanding of the situation, history, and what to expect.
Purchased new by the current owner's sister on April 10th, 1969, directly from Triumph Sales Limited, Canley, Coventry, England. She took delivery, toured Austria in it, then delivered to the port in Rotterdam, where it was shipped to New York, picked up by her, and driven cross-country to Sebastopol, California, where it has remained since. It was then acquired by her brother, the current owner, in the 1970s, who has owned it since.
Her brother spared no expense, treating it to an exhaustive, 6+ year full restoration and a high-performance engine build with suspension upgrades and a Toyota 5-speed manual transmission for fast, spirited drives and potential track day events. It was commissioned in 1999 and completed around 2005.
It includes the handbook and service manual, original purchase paperwork, bill of lading, manufacturer's statement of origin, original Bill of Sale, registrations, etc. The car has only traveled an estimated 2,000 miles since its exhaustive restoration. When we received the car, we refreshed the braking system, tires, fluids, etc, to make it road-ready.
We first listed the car in 2024 in the $35k range and received plenty of interest. At the time, we felt the triple Weber carburetors needed to be disassembled and thoroughly cleaned, but after going through them, it became clear there was something else going on. Ultimately, we weren’t able to get the car running quite right, so it was set aside until now. We have finally taken the time to diagnose. While we initially suspected a carburetion issue, a recent compression and leak-down test shows generally strong engine health, with most cylinders producing solid compression between 150–170 psi and low leak-down values of 6–20%. Cylinders 3, 4, 5, and 6 are performing well, indicating good sealing and combustion efficiency. Cylinder 1 is slightly lower at 140 psi but still acceptable, while cylinder 2 stands out with significantly lower compression (110 psi) and high leak-down (35%), suggesting possible valve leakage, worn rings, or a head gasket issue that may require attention. We're not sure what has caused this.
Compression & Leak-Down Test Results
Cylinder Leak-Down (%) Compression (psi)
1 10% 140 psi
2 35% 110 psi
3 10% 160 psi
4 6% 170 psi
5 20% 150 psi
6 10% 170 psi
The rebuilt engine was bored .60 over with a larger cam. It has a triple Weber Sidedraft set providing unbridled power. Equipped with the Toyota Supra 5-speed transmission and reinforced rear end. Braking, suspension, and steering are tight and extremely responsive, and a new set of tires complements its excellent handling.
The paint and body are outstanding as well. The car is straight, smooth, and truly rust-free with excellent panel alignments all around. The wheels have been refinished, and it is fitted with a new set of 215/70 R15s all around. The trim, glass, rubber, and lenses look great, along with the cloth softtop that has very good fitment. This is a great-looking TR6 all around.
The interior was replaced as well. New wood, upholstery, rugs, cards, and panels throughout. It has a rollbar installed that adds safety without interfering with the top. The seats are extremely comfortable, and it is wonderful on even the longest drives.
Now it needs a new owner willing to dig into the mechanical issues. Cylinder #2’s low compression and high leak-down likely stem from a sealing issue. For its new owner, the first step is a valve adjustment to ensure proper clearance (.010" intake / .012" exhaust cold), followed by a repeat leak-down test to pinpoint where air escapes—through the carb (intake valve), tailpipe (exhaust valve), oil filler (rings), or radiator (head gasket). If it’s a valve issue, a top-end service with a valve job, resurfaced seats, and new seals may solve it; if air escapes between cylinders or into coolant, replace the head gasket and check for warpage. Persistent leakage into the crankcase indicates worn rings, calling for a re-ring or rebuild. Typical costs range from a few hundred dollars for adjustments to several thousand for a full overhaul.
This special TR6 has a very short owners list and is ready to add the next one to it! Be sure to check out all 350+ photos and the video at www.leftcoastclassics.com. Call or text Donn with questions, shipping, and financing options. 707-332-8331. For loan pre-approval visit https://www.lightstream.com/apply
