Vehicle Description
This 1976 Triumph TR6 represents the end of the line for
open-headlight British roadsters, and as such they have become
highly sought by collectors. With burly 6-cylinder power and a
fantastic look, you can expect these to get more expensive in the
coming years, so now is the time to buy a good one.
Offered in beautiful Carmine Red, this is a very well-restored
roadster that received a high-quality repaint two and a half years
ago, along with a fully rebuilt drivetrain. Today it remains a
great driver that looks fantastic and makes all those wonderful
British sports car sounds that endear them to their fans. Since
these were inexpensive cars, even when new, they often suffered at
the hands of students and others who didn't care much for
maintenance, but this one appears to have spent its life in a dry
climate as the tub and floors are in excellent condition. The paint
job was nicely done, and despite being frequently driven and
enjoyed, it remains handsome and bright, with no real signs of age.
The large rubber overriders on the bumpers were removed, which
really cleans up the front end, and the chrome is excellent thanks
to a trip to the plating shop when the body was being painted. We
don't often get TR6s this nice.
While the TR6 is a small car, the interior was heavily revised and
is surprisingly spacious. Comfortable tan vinyl seats show little
wear, certainly no splits or tears in the covers, while the black
carpets offer a bit of contrast. The genuine wood dash is in good
original condition and all the Smiths gauges show bright clear
markings and beautiful chrome trim rings. Factory knobs and handles
remain in place, giving the car an authentic feel, and there is no
radio to get in the way of you enjoying the soundtrack of that big
six working up front. The wood-handled 4-speed shifter falls easily
to hand and moves through the gates easily, making the TR6 one of
the more pleasant long-distance touring roadsters. Overhead,
there's a revised black convertible top that was replaced when the
rest of the car was refreshed. You also get a decent trunk that
makes this a great choice for long-distance touring.
The TR6's real appeal lies under the hood: a 2.5-liter inline-six
that makes great torque and wonderful sounds. The brawny engine was
completely rebuilt using factory parts, including a pair of
side-draft carburetors on an aluminum intake manifold. Tidy and
well-maintained, the engine bay shows proof of clean living with
spotless inner fenders and firewall, and even the battery tray is
in fantastic condition; when these cars rust, that's where it
starts. You'll note this one also carries its original emissions
pump, which is a rare find and shows some commitment to
authenticity, and the finishes used throughout are quite correct.
The 4-speed manual is a joy to shift, with light action and
positive throws that remind you why these cars were so popular when
they were new. And while experienced sports car fans might find the
TR6's independent rear suspension a little soft, few can argue with
its comfortable ride and almost vice-free handling. Power front
disc/rear drum brakes deliver plenty of stopping power for the
lightweight car, and it wears stylish 15-inch wheels new Kumho
radials.
Prices for just about every sort of inexpensive sports car have
been rising, and it's increasingly difficult to find fully restored
TR6s like this with asking prices below $30k. Call now!