HISTORY OF THE TRIUMPH TR6
Regarded by many as the most appealing of the T-series Triumphs,
the TR6 debuted for the 1969 model year. Mechanically evolved from
the one-year-only TR5/TR250, the TR6 retained its predecessor's
chassis and drivetrain while benefiting from suspension refinements
and wider 15-inch wheels, giving the car a leaner stance and more
composed handling.
Power came from a 2.5-liter straight-six equipped with twin
Zenith-Stromberg carburetors in U.S.-specification, producing just
over 100 horsepower. A traditional wood dashboard, standard front
disc brakes, and options including Overdrive, chrome wire wheels,
and a removable hardtop made the TR6 highly customizable.
A delight to drive both then and now, the TR6 consistently ranks
high among iconic British sports cars. Its unmistakable styling and
lively character continue to appeal to discerning drivers and
collectors alike.
THE MOTORCAR OFFERED
The 1976 Triumph TR6 "Dual Top" offered here is finished in
Pimiento Red over a Biscuit interior, complemented by a
color-matched factory removable hardtop and a tan folding
convertible top. According to the accompanying British Motor
Industry Heritage Trust Certificate, this TR6 was completed at the
Coventry works on September 17th, 1975, and was specified for U.S.
export.
While much of the car's early history remains undocumented, its
most recent owner acquired the TR6 in Missouri in 1995 and retained
ownership for the next three decades. An impressive amount of
documentation from this tenure accompanies the car today, including
nearly a decade's worth of service and restoration invoices
totaling over $33,000 USD in period.
In June of 1998, the TR6 was entrusted to All British Car Center,
operated by respected British marque specialist John Mangels. Under
their care, the car underwent a comprehensive restoration that
included a full teardown and respray, fuel system rebuilding,
installation of a new wood dashboard, front suspension rebuilds,
and a $1,000 Biscuit interior sourced from Victoria British in
England, among many additional improvements. In 1998 alone,
documented labor totaled over 270 man-hours.
Throughout the 2000s, the TR6 was used on a regular basis and
returned to All British Car Center for service as needed, including
a full tune-up in August 2004. Due to changing circumstances and
lifestyle adjustments, the car was placed into storage around
2014.
When the previous owner first contacted IT'S ALIVE! in 2025, the
TR6 had been sitting idle in a nearby storage unit for over a
decade. After a thorough inspection, we acquired the car in
non-running condition in the summer of 2025.
Upon arrival at our facility, it was evident that the TR6 had not
been started in many years. Notably, the fuel tank was found to be
clean, and the matching-numbers engine spun freely. A compression
test revealed excellent results, with all six cylinders reporting
between 130-140 PSI. The carburetors were removed, disassembled,
cleaned, and reinstalled, while new spark plugs were fitted. After
adding fresh premium fuel, the TR6 roared back to life. Following
light tuning of the carburetion and ignition systems, the car was
returned to the road, performing as it had prior to storage.
After recommissioning, IT'S ALIVE! installed a new tan folding
convertible top with a zip-out rear window along with a fresh set
of 185R15 COKER Redline tires.
Today, the TR6 performs wonderfully and presents extremely well
from five feet away. Minor cosmetic imperfections are visible in
the paint finish and some brightwork, consistent with what one
would expect from a 25-year-old paint job. The Biscuit interior
remains fresh in appearance and feel, while traces of the original
Chestnut interior are still visible on the hardtop headliner, which
appears to be original.
The five-digit odometer displays 93,000 miles, believed to
represent the vehicle's total mileage from new. Supporting
documentation includes service invoices recording 89,000 miles in
the summer of 1996, indicating that the car has traveled fewer than
5,000 miles over the past three decades.
IT'S ALIVE! is pleased to offer this thoughtfully upgraded,
matching-numbers TR6 with factory removable hardtop to the
enthusiast who values both the heritage and driving experience of
one of Triumph's most celebrated sports cars.
If you're ready to get behind the wheel, give us a call at
314-710-6600 ext. 140 or email
[email protected].
