The Last Great British Roadster was designed by an Italian and a German
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- Опубликовано: 29 июл 2023
- The Triumph TR6 is arguably the last great British Roadster. Here's how it came to be
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I was a young airman stationed in San Antonio from 72-76. My first car was a Datsun 510 sedan which I sold to buy a 72 TR6 in 1974 from an Air Force nurse who was pregnant. I bought it for $3000 and drove it for 3 years before selling it for $3500. It was a joy to drive and the driving position was perfect. I even drove it all the way from San Antonio to my parent's home near Durango CO without ever putting the top up. As long as I was going at least 60 I stayed dry even in the rain showers I encountered through New Mexico. Great memories refueled by a superb story told in this video.
I'm on my second TR-6, a 1971 model, and it's my daily driver!, yes, really. It's more fun to drive than one can imagine, drives like a big go-cart, and is perhaps the prettiest roadster with the top down that ever took to the road. And best of all, parts are readily available and very affordable. Get one. You won't regret it.
The first new car that I bought was a '73 TR6, my previous car was a used '67 MGB that I bought in '71, the TR6 was a lot faster and more comfortable. I loved the TR6 but foolishly traded it for a '71 Porsche 914, which drove like a go-cart, lots of fun. The 914 had a design fault where the injection system could leak and if the engine was hot you had a fire, this happened to my car, it was a total loss. I'll always have a soft spot in my heart for the TR6.
Campaigned three 74's, 73 parts car in the 70s thru 80s. Coolest looking car ever. EVER. Bmw Z3 now which outperforms but does not come close to the beauty of a TR-6
As a former MGB driver, we all wanted to have a TR6. That’s what the cool kids drove.
I loved my TR4 I could watch the road both ahead and below.
@@if6was929 I had a 73 as well. What I mostly remember is breaking differential mounts, replacing front wheel bearings and trying to find 15" tires. Oh, and using a dipstick as a gas gauge. Still loved that car.
Back in NZ, I owned a stunning red 1973 (fuel injection, electric overdrive on 3rd and 4th) TR6 with chrome wire wheels (w/- the knock off winghubs) - I was in my late 20's (1980). I fitted it with a Pioneer cassette stereo (remember those) and power amp, which was state of the art back then. Russ Abbott raced TR6's so one of the first things I did (given the horrible suspension - it didn't handle all that well) was ask Abbott Racing to improve the handling and ride. They fitted adjustable Koni's all around using a triangular frame at each wheel (as they did for their race cars). I insisted it had to be done so unless you got down and looked you wouldn't know this mod had been done. The engine was also blue printed to give me another 30-40 HP.
Huge success. The handling and ride quality was transformed as was general performance. (190 HP versus 150 HP). Had it for 4 years and every drive was an occasion. Just startin g the engine was an event. The rorty exhaust noise was beautiful to my ears. It was extremely reliable as I recall and in any case simple (i.e. pretty basic) to fix.
I'd buy one again - there's nothing like driving a twisting NZ road with Peter Gabriel's 'So' album blasting through speakers right behind your ears and the wind in your hair. Unfortunately less hair to blow about, more traffic (even on the side roads) and the advent of speed cameras these days probably means any attempt to relive that experience would end up in a loss of license and a heavy fine. Hmmm...has life really improved? 😏
"rorty exhaust noise" 😎👍🏼
I doubt it,older is not improved cause abilities & health decline
The Auckland-based Triumph Car Club was a fun club, very race oriented with a couple of very quick Vitesses as well, although the Triumph drive train being what it is, they went through diff stub axles at quite a rate! I was in Tauranga and being a new TR6 owner used to join them at Baypark, but just to watch the racing. I later raced mine, but in stock form (you are right about the terrible suspension, wish I'd modded mine).
I had a college roommate around 1981 that owned a TR-6. He was always throwing me the keys and saying, take it for the afternoon. Now, we were in school at the University of Arkansas in the Boston Mountains of northwest Arkansas. I'd get away from town, with the top down, and go driving through winding hills. That car was a blast to drive. Just pure fun on wheels. I've always wished I would have gotten a completely restored TR-6 during my working years as a second car. I was never mechanically inclined but would have been willing to learn in order to have that car!
My first car in 1971- a 1969 TR6, red... i could sit in the driver's seat with a wrench and a screwdriver and take the whole car apart. Will always remember driving to Boston from Phila on Rt 95- northeast CT, 1 a.m., the rear differential literally fell off the car..haha..but the TR6 had the best dashboard- solid piece of walnut with black anodize dials. 😍
I ordered a 1970 TR6 when I was in the military just like the one in the picture above brand new, I loved it.
The TR-6 was my dream car as a High school student, though they were out of production just as I got my license and certainly unaffordable for a student in High School. I finally got my first 73 in 1990, and have owned one ever since. This video is spot on. It's not Fast, it has some typical British tendencies', but it never fails to put a smile on my face! Excellent video!
I had a long time ago ..... a Triumph T R 7 1977... it was my pride and joy.....!!!! It was dark blue.......enjoyed that car so much.....!!!!I still miss this car today..........!!!!
I had my 72 TR6 PI for 32 years, had many a great road trip, never let me down always got home, great memories.
I had five different tr-6s, and one tr-250 and a Stag. I love Triumphs. Today I drive a 2022 supra, but my heart is with the tr-6.
That Italia is a stunning car - never knew about it!
got my TR6 as a graduation present in 1974. I had it for 1yr 6months and it was stolen. I never saw it again! Unfortunately i have never had the opportunity to get another.
Doesn't a TR-6 exude cool? Taking off from a standstill, top down, the rear end squats a little (Independent Rear Suspension) and that very nice, low growl from the twin exhaust pipes. The driver's shoulder is at door sill level. The shifter position is just right, up high. The sound of the inline six is so sweet, at low revs, on acceleration, on letting off the throttle, or just pulling away from a traffic light at low speed. On a cold day, using a tonneau cover, with the passenger side zipped closed, makes it a one-seater car. That can work well because the only way the heat escapes is upward, around the driver's body. This video makes me want a TR-6, with overdrive and the small bumpers.
How well I remember those crisp, but sunny, winter drives in the UK. Hood down, air scoop open, heater on full (toes getting slightly too hot) with the warm air streaming up, warming me, and blowing away! Magical.
My high school chemistry teacher drove a TR3. We kids loved it. Later a buddy owned a Spitfire, then later a TR4A. We knew an old guy who dtove a Herald. I always liked the Triumph cars. 😎👍
After my TR4 in 1972 I bought a low mileage 2 owner 1969 TR6 UK spec with Pi system, it felt so fast after the TR4. I remember doing a Sprint race in it and achieved 15.37 seconds for the standing quarter mile, that was an E Type Jag time! 51 years on I still own the same car as I couldn't bear to part with it. It doesn't get used much these days, but I still get a buzz when I do get around to taking it out for a drive. It surprises me it hasn't gone up in price like so many other British Sports cars have like the E Type and the Healy 3000 etc.
E types were nightmares. My TR-4 was a joy. E-types only made you happy to sell - then to rid of
The Triumph badge was sacrificed by BL, who had Jag, Daimler Rover. Land Rover MG and others in their ownership.
The TR7 was not good, and then the Triumph badge was put on little Hondas, which finished the marque off completely.
It's shame really, ironic that BL did the same to MG after putting the MG badge on boring boxes and no replacing the MGB until the last MGF was produced too late.
Had Ford not bought Jaguar Land Rover, that too would have disappeared
@@gar6446 The best MG was the Midget, which was really an Austin Healey Sprite!
Amazing engine, wet sleeve and a variation used in the Ferguson Tractor.
I had a '71 TR 6 in college. Drove it for 10 years, and I still have great memories of this car, it was British Racing Green with a black top, only sold it because you couldn't get parts anymore, I wish that I had it now ❤❤❤❤
I've owned two TR6's, both 150BHP RHD Australian delivered cars. I bought the first when I was eighteen and the second when I was 55. The first car was a dream but I drove it like a demon! The second was a concours model which I drove like an old man (most of the time😇). They are great cars but do take a lot of effort to set up when they are the fuel injected type. Moss Motors in the UK are a great source of parts and advice. My second car is being loved by a new owner as I'm too old these days to justify owning such a sporty car. A Jaguar MK2 3.4L MOD is my new treat and it's quite 'sporty'!😉
I'll be 71 in two weeks and own my 4th TR6, and this one is by far the fastest and best handling...
I have a 69. Wanted one forever and got it about 5 years ago. It was sitting since 1991 so it needed some love but it is a complete hoot.
I always loved the triumph roadsters. My dad had a TR3 (before I was born) and I loved hearing how low to the ground, how good looking and how fun it was to drive. That Italia model looks beautiful. Nice video!
Yeah, it sat low enough that the passenger could reach out and pick up a beer can off the road.
Bought a new TR-6 off the showroom floor of the British-Leyland dealer in suburban St. Louis in 1976. It was a rare model that had factory air conditioning, which would provide cool riding in the often humid-days with the Mississippi River. On a trip to Florida, the AC condenser seized. I had to cut the gelt to it to nurse the car into Tampa, where the B-L dealer said: "I hope I will have to check check the condenser because it depended on what was available when the car came down the assembly line. The mechanic took the unit out, turned it over, and laughed. "This is a Mustang condenser and there's a Ford dealer right across the street." He came back with the condenser and had me back on the road in less than an hour." Drove the car until 1981 and sold it to an former girlfriend who later moved to Los Angeles with it. While liviing in Washington in the 1980s, my wife and I bought a '74 TR-6 and drove it for several years before selling it just before we left the area. Like most B-L cars, iboth had some mechanical problems but they were fun cars/ We now have a 2009 John Cooper Works Mini convertible. it's fun, faster and better handling and brings back memories, even though it is now made by BMW. Good wrap up of the TR.
Bought a used 66 TR4A when I got home from Vietnam. Drove it as my daily driver for years. Finally became too unreliable to depend on. I eventually sold it. After the kids were grown and gone and being a slow learner I wound up buying a 74 TR6. Lucas was no better in 74 tan they were in 66 and I had multiple electrical issues. Still it was great fun to drive. I had to sell it when we moved out of state. Still miss it
I'm on my second TR6 as well. My first was, 1972 model, during my college years in the early 1980s. That one, unfortunately, got run into, and destroyed, while it was parked outside my college apartment. It took me until 2007 to buy my second TR6, a 1976 model. This was a real project car. After many 100s of hours of time, and a complete restoration, it is now back on the road, and it's just about a completely brand new, 1976 TR6. Gorgeous, and drives like a dream. Thanks for the video! I loved it. And very well presented!
nice 1 man
I bought a 1972 TR-6 in 1976, just loved it ! Bags of torque and that marvelous exhaust note cruising down the highway. Drove it five years and then sold it for more than I had paid for it, figuring I made out really well.... forty years on and still mentally kicking myself in the ass for that dumb decision.
Yup. Forty years ago I sold my 1968 Triumph T-120 twin carb 650 Bonneville...and I still kick myself, and I will always miss it. What was wrong with us ? Besides the fact we were young and dumb.
I had a 72 TR6 and was talked into selling it to get a land cruiser to go 4 wheeling with a buddy of mine still regret that decision
Update: a 1983 Honda cx-650 just landed in my lap : so I've moved on, four decades later, to something 15 yrs. newer ! Never had electric start before, or disc brakes, and I've got 18 more H.P. Being behind the times is awesome, when old stuff is still new to you(me). I know; you can never go back...but you can go...somewhere.
Very similar, I swapped for a '71 Jeep Wagoneer with a Buick V8 , 3 on the tree, HD everything , as a "family" car for camping and playing silly buggers out in the bush... that was kinda fun, too, in a different way.
@@bigcity2085 & didn't understand inflation " sold for more than I paid" is not bright most likely didn't even break even. Like to tell about my bought & sold record all more $ when sold, but it just makes me sad nowadays. If kept from 70's til now would be more than 1 million in bank
I had a 1973 TR-6 in 1977, i loved this car .
I purchased a new 1972 TR-6 in U.S. for $3950. They came without radios because of European AM were incompatible. Back then, there was no FM.
There was FM broadcast, not many mobile receivers at first
I bought a 1954 TR2 from a friend in 1968 and put many miles on it. It was a joy to drive and I dearly wish I'd kept it. 😢 The only problem it ever gave me was having to replace thermostats.😅
I finally concluded 🇬🇧 engineers simply didn't design it for life in the desert 😎 💖🥰
(☀️is hard on rubber too)
Had a 1969 TR 6, great car. Now it belongs to my son. Hope he can get it back on the road again.
Haven't watched anything on your channel before. From the perspective of a consumer and not a producer, I'm a fairly fussy bastard when it comes to car enthusiast videos... You definitely need to be told, *very nice work, fella!*
👏🙂
This video was _much_ better than many other 'retro model revisitation' vids I've seen. _Genuine_ enthusiasm without drowning us in giddy hyperbole; natural spoken/narration style; good historic/background research for a range of curious viewers; enough detail to help paint a good picture of the topic vehicle.
The only vids noticeably better, are long established and have seriously big production teams *and* budgets. (Tbh, plenty of high profile channels do a crappy job - failing in one or more of the areas you do well.)
Subscribed, and keen to watch some more cool stuff.
My very first car was a 1972 TR6 in dark blue. I didn't have it very long as I had maintenance problems with the hydraulic clutch. But while I had it I loved it.
I miss my '75 pimento red TR6. What a fun little car.
I had a 1975 TR6. great car.
Great looking til the crow bar
I've had my '72 TR-6 for 51 years. Bought it off the showroom floor right after I was discharged from the Army. My wife insisted that I install a roll bar and luggage rack on the trunk lid. It's still my weekend driver. We've been through our ups and downs together over the years and I've bloodied my knuckles more than a few times wrenching under the hood. But the engine is quite straight forward and strong. Nothing you can't do if you can read a manual and don't mind getting your hands a little greasy. But the old girl still gives me quite a thrill driving it on twisty roads or highway. The exhaust sounds great and I recently replaced the steering rack and again it handles like I'm back in 1972. It is simply an honest dudes car and always has been, rattles, squeaks and all.
Oh, and original, never painted, emerald green paint, Dayton wire wheels with factory hardtop)
Sounds like fun, dude - both the driving and the wrenching. I've had an eye out for one of these or a 240Z for the past few years. I'm 58, so I better get on with it.
I used to cut the grass for this man who had a Bug Eye...he kept it in the carport and would drive it on weekends. At Jr.Sr. prom I asked him if I could drive it to the dance..ok, let's go for a drive and I'll show you how things work......I had already liked many of the British sports cars..at 19, I bought a 72 TR6 with a hard top for $2,200. It was henna brown. I learned how do do some minor repairs but it spent much time in the shop. I later painted it French blue...and restored the wood dash and carpet and seats. Drove it all through college. Some guy in Belgium bought it and completely restored it. He sent me pictures and he and his wife take it out in nice weather. Glad the legend lives on!
I always liked the TR3A. It was a very good basic roadster and it was fun to drive with verve. I also liked the Triumph Spitfire. It had a very low seating position and you could throw it around with confidence. With its flip-up front sheet metal it was very easy to work on. You could sit on one of the front wheels and do a complete tune-up. You could drive the car at twice the rated speed in the corners.
The 3 is a cool little car.
Like one foot in the way-WAY old school,. And one foot in the far-out 50's.. crazy carburetor setup.. crazy skinny tires.. smells like a train under the hood.
Working on it felt like giving Audrey Hepburn a backrub
Mate, a lot of work went into this one - Well done to you for all of that behind the scenes - Really enjoyed every minute of it. Classis car I hope to also acquire one day. Never give up on your dreams. Thanks for showing us all. 🙂
Very nicely done video! I owned a couple TR-6's and know them mechanically through and through, after rebuilding one and then turbocharging a 1973 TR-6 with 6 lbs. of boost and water/methanol injection, sans smog. I also added the split rear end that provided instant 1,000 rpms for no turbo lag. Super fun and faster than a 240Z. Great memories in that car!
I bought my 1973 TR6 in 1976 when I was twenty years old. I loved that car. It was a classic.
Good history lesson on the Triumph and the TR6. I owned 3 early models in the early 70’s it was a fun car to drive and got me hooked on sports cars to this day.
This makes my eyes water. My brother had a TR4A IRS loved it and yes that was pure buck-board fun, in retrospect, that really was the sweet spot for fun. Magically a small dealership nearby had several used - this in '74 - TR250s for sale and I bought one loved it to death, coincidentally had a group of friends at Virginia Tech who had: 1) TR3A 2) MGBTD, 3) MGB 4) AH Sprite (or was it an mg midget, I forget) 5) Porsche 914 Literally working on cars under the shade tree. The Porsche 914 guy ended up buying a Lotus John Player Special, let me drive it once, wow! Wasn't a poseur either, ME grad student, had the Porsche engine completely disassembled in my friends house much to their disgruntlement. Went on to work at the Michelin plant in SC.
Anyway, I digress and apologies for letting me reminisce, The TRs did have some track success in the US SCCA, a guy name Bob Tullius was a local/regional legend beating all the Corvettes in his at places like Summit Point in WV. Loved the look of the Michelotti design, basically in the middle of conversion, one year to change to straight 6, the next for the TR6 body. I've heard a version of this that the TR8 was also a "got it right" version before going out of business - with the V8 of course. One thing you can see on the TR6 is that new safety standards required them to have 5 mile per hour bumpers which in my humble opinion was kind of a disaster for the looks of the car, at least because it had to be an afterthought. Also other safety features, eg, the steering wheel column was a steel rod aimed at your chest. So yeah, probably quite a lot of generational redesign required to keep up with a changing world along with unibody designs etc. basically a lot of elements that were adverse to buildings more convertibles. Oh well, I'm still here, feel sorry for the convertibles you see nowadays where you can barely see the guy's head sticking out above the cockpit for safety reasons, can't rest your arm on the door, feel the wind in your hair.
I always loved the TR6, such a beautiful car. Thanks for the video.
I bought a 1974 TR-6 in August 1974, brand new, and kept it for 25 years. I drove it over 140,000 miles all across the US, at least 4 trips from Maryland across the US on Interstates 10, 40, 70, 80, and 90. Drove it up Pikes Peak in Colorado, around the Grand Canyon in Arizona, and through Yellowstone National Park . I loved the looks of the car and still do. Wish someone would make a current car with the same body style. Over the 25 years I repaired or replaced many many parts on the car but it never gave me the problems that people always spoke about British cars. I even drove it across the US with the timing improperly adjusted and it still performed up to expectations.
One thing is I wish that I had known before I ordered the car all of the options that were available for the car. I eventually got an electronic overdrive transmission (which I installed); bought a factory hardtop from a used car lot (right off another TR-6); and exchanged the standard wheels for wire wheels. The Roadster Factory in Pa. and I did a lot of business over the years and I made a lot of visits to salvage/junk yards to get second hand parts. I sold the TR-6 in 1999 for $5k which is about what I paid for it brand new.
The 396th TR6 imported to N. America is in my garage. I restored it in the early 2000's. I then got interested in more powerful cars and sadly it hasn't ran in 10 years. One of these days, I'll get it on the road again.
I learned to drive on my father's 1971 TR 6. Funnest car I've ever driven, and I've owned a Vette Grand Sport.
I have a 76 TR6 Love it's quirks. Handles like a dream.Just love it! To quote James May, It's so blokes can have a tool box.
Very nice video! The TR-6, IMO, was one of the most beautiful and finest examples of classic, affordable British sports cars
Great video....I have a 73 Carmine red TR6; it's my second TR6......absolutely a ball to drive and makes all of the appropriate hairy chested British sounds.
I owned a TR6 and it was the last year of the solid chrome bumper style. It had overdrive and I later installed a factory correct air conditioner in it. It was a pleasure to drive. Additionally, I had the heads ground a little bit and the compression pulled up for a few more horsepower. In all it was a great car with a lot of oversteer built into it. I remember my first day driving it was nothing more than a series of s turns down the road.
Loss of a job forced me to sell and to this day I wish I had it back. I found everything on this video to be spot-on. Great video-even better car.
A very fair, knowledgeable, contextual overview of a car which really did, as you say, create a class of its own.
My father drove the TR 4. My first car was a '71 MGB GT. In NW CT both handled the winding roads that evolved from cow paths with the amazing ability to take whatever curves came at me.
I drove a TR-6 in probably 1976 ...don't remember the circumstances, but I liked it . I do remember it was smaller inside than I expected .
I had a 57 TR3. Damn I miss that car. Absolutely the most fun l've had in any car, including my 2 Porsches. The closest to that is my current BMW Z3. Not huge power numbers, but great fun to drive. I also would not turn down a TR250/TR6...
Have been a Triumphista since there was a TR-3 dealer right next to my elementary school. TR-3 grabbed my imagination. As I grew I bought a TR-4a IRS then a TR-250 subsequently a TR-6 and finally a TR-7 Convertible that I have to this day. Autocrossed the TR-7 for a number of years winning local championships in class, before I migrated to open wheel road racing with SCCA.
Interesting and nostalgic.
I had a half dozen Triumphs many years ago. My first, a '62 Herald convertible was $25.
It was pink! . . and I was 10 years old. The last was a '69 TR6. I didn't get the impression at the time that the Datsun 240Z was any direct competition for the TR6. They appealed to a bit different demographic - older, and more female buyers.
What sounds counterintuitive today, was quite plain back then: Automotive technologies had moved miles past Triumph. In 1969, that stark reality came in the form of the new Porsche 914. It was the same money as a TR6, same weight class, also had a removable top, and it directly competed for the same buyers. It was also compared in the magazines of the day. Side by side, the more 'classic' TR6 design with it's 25 year old suspension design, archaic iron driveline and antique body-on-frame carcass seemed like yesterdays answers for tomorrows questions. The TR6 platform was such a wet noodle, if you opened a door before jacking up a corner, you couldnt close it, and you risked paint chips where panel gaps closed. You had to 'oil' the carbs and it still had a generator designed in the 50's.
On the other hand, the Porsche 914 had modern brakes and strut-damper suspension interchangeable with the 911, it was a relatively stiff envelope, was a mid-engine configuration, had a 5-speed OD transmission, wider track, 3 times the luggage space, the top actually kept rain out, and it had the cache of the Porsche name.
914s are what killed the Triumph TR6 on the road, track and in the market. Simply put, in 1969 young sports-roadster buyers had little interest in yet another classic. Buyers wanted the future and Porsche gave it to them at a very attractive price.
In many ways the opposite sentiment is true of classic designs today, for reasons that weren't factors in 1969. So looking through today's lens can somewhat distort yesterday's picture.
Other than the TR6s hideous rear suspension that unsettled horribly in corners with ruts or bumps, I generally loved mine for it's beautiful exhaust note with the top down cruising SoCal's canyons under the stars. Paul Newman locally raced a D-Production TR6. He was a sucker for uncommon things. His car wasn't particularly competitive, but he was a Gem of a human being to race with.
Thanks for keeping the history alive 👀
But 914 Porsche looks like shit
When I was a kid, a guy down the street had a navy blue TR-6. During the first year the dealership's shop had it as much as he did.
When my father had had enough with MGBS for being underpowered, he purchased a '71 TR6 in the late 70s. Great car to learn to drive on an occasionally drive to high school. Great torque & very exhilarating 3rd gear ~ everything else has been well said below & here. Worth getting a hold of one as they are rugged. I have TRs but not yet a 6 which I will remedy as I am curious where values are heading with the waning baby boom generation's ownership & TR6 enjoyment. Great review by the very, very talented Giovanni Michelotti's TR work & the Italian tie.
Thank you for this superlative video. I’ve owned a TR-6 since 1985, I bought it in an abused state but I’ve since restored it twice. It’s a lovely car and I still enjoy it. If I decide to sell it, I’ll let you know 😊
Great video, your content and commentary are exceptional.
Great video, very professionally done, many thanks!
One of my favourite cars of the many I have owned. I loved the open top, it was relatively comfortable to drive at speed. Not as nimble as a Midget or Lotus, the handling had character, but I loved that so smooth straight six torquey engine and its exhaust note somewhere between a rasp and melodic hum.
I had a TR3 with a soft top and hardtop in running condition for $750 dollars when i was 19 years old. But it needed work and i had no garage to work on it. The pins would not keep the hood down. A stiff breeze blew the hood open and smashed the windsheild. I found another windsheild. It needed an exhaust system. The head gasket went bad. I had some fun with it for the summer. I even learned how to put a fanbelt on it using the remote starter switch under the hood. I sold it in the fall for almost what i paid for it.
It's always been my favorite looking car. Low, topless, big wheels, six-cylinder engine (torque), British, unique, I could go on and on...great video. One slight negative comment: It's "Jag-you-are", not "Jagwire". Keep these coming, please!
Good video. I had a '74 TR-6 in highschool and sold it afterwards when I needed more room. I always wanted to get another one . I was surprised that you didn't mention the Spitfire as you made many references to Michelloti. He himself even said that the Spitfire was his favorite of all the cars he designed. I have a Spitfire now and love it as much as the TR-6.
I had a 74 Spit when I was in my teens in about 1976. I wanted a TR6 but couldn't afford one!
I have a 1973 Triumph TR6 that I restored and own for 20 years now. I will never sell it. It's a keeper!
Got rid of the SU carbs on my TR-6 and replaced with Weber carbs. V. fast. Also, lowered the suspension. Great handling and speed. Alas, I own no more. Fun, fun car it was.
I got a '69 TR-6 in cream with a maroon detachable hardtop in college from '76-'80. I learned a lot about vehicle maintenance which I did myself with a shop book and foreign car wrecking yards. No owners manual and no internet. It was hard getting parts bc the parts lot TR's were almost totally destroyed, flattened & mangled from whatever wreck they'd gotten into. That was bracing.
Between the cantankerous and quirky twin Zenith-Stromberg carbs that had to be tuned in harmony and required an oil-fill for lubrication (wtf?!) to the "natural rubber" brake cylinder boots that required a special & unobtainable brake fluid and dissolved and blew out if you used the regular brake fluid found in 99.9% of other cars, it was a handful to maintain.
It was sure a fun car to drive, though.
I just loved my 72 TR-6. The similarity between the dash on the TR-6 and the Fiat 124 makes sense if the TR-6 design came from Italy. The torque on the TR-6 was wonderful and changing out the carburetors (from the SUs) added a horsepower boost.
Still have my 1976 British Racing Green, tan interior Triumph TR6 for over 39 years now. It is a great cool looking roadster!
Appreciate the channel and content
One of the best British sports cars ever made, but I would say that, I have one. Great video Bart 👍
Hi Bart, nice car, nice video! I am 63 years old. My late father had a 1958 British racing green TR3 back when I was a small child, and he loved it! I had a female elementary school teacher who had a white 1971 TR6 and she loved it! Please reply. Dave...
A black minimalist TR3 was so cool 😎 Fellini gave it a role in "La DolceVita" The TR5a got a designer makeover and transformed its desirability into the sublime TR6❤️(except for the fuel injection system of course which can have a mind of its on.)
Correction… the TR4 did not have Independent Rear Suspension… that came with the updated TR4A… which had a new chassis / frame and was badged “IRS”. However many TR4As for the US market did NOT have the IRS fitted because customers did not want the weight and complexity.
Great that you are doing British sports cars and British motorcycles. They both come out of the same psychology and many people are attracted to both. Thanks, Ronn
This same British psychology made the Triumph Mayflower. Very stylish and the most gutless post war car made. Even worse than the sidevalve Morris Minor. My 1935 Ford 8 Model Y ran rings around them for half the price. The Triumph bikes had the same characteristics as most British vehicles, large puddles of oil and Lucas Electrics.
Paul Newman and others successfully raced TR6s and often won. It was fast, handled like it was tied on rails and the engine was pretty much bullet proof due to its utter simplicity. Swap the whimpy Strombergs for a pair of SUs from a Jag and you have an ass-kicker of a car. I know because I did that simple mod and it came alive. The electric overdrive was also very useable. While my Carrera 4S cabrio was a monster performer, it simply did not have the je ne sais qouis of the TR6.
Great video, Bart! So glad you gave the Italia its due! Maybe the best looking Triumph ever. My only quibble so far, is skipping the transition from TR4 to TR4A. The wonderful TR4 is a TR3 under its lovey Italian-designed bodywork (similar chassis, frame, driveline, suspension, engine). The major mechanical advance of the TR4 being rack and pinion steering. TR4 is 1961, '62, '63, and '64. A lot of cars! In 1965, the TR4A debuted and that car did the opposite trick - looks the same as the TR4 (with minor detail differences); but we got a completely new chassis, independent rear suspension (solid axle optional!), revised front suspension - which all carried over through the TR250 and into the TR6. It wasn't talked about much at the time (probably because people were expecting the six) but the classic 4-cyl TR engine was revised one last time with new intake and exhaust manifolds and alternate cam timing. TR4A ran 1965, '66, and '67. How to tell between these twins? Only the 4A has the chrome light pod (and a chrome trim "spear") on the front wings.
my first 104 MPH was driving my Boss's TR6. Yes the 240Z are more awesome and just sorted !!! Great video Bart !!!
I had both a Triumph Sptitfire and an MGB as a young univ student in the 70's....however I was seriously eyeballing the TR6... it was just a bit outside a starving students budget (but not far). Fast forward to 1980...graduated from univ...and my new wife told me I needed to get an ADULT family man's car. Hence came the VW Rabbit (God help me). Fast forward a few decades...Mazda Miata..then post divorce...and I'm now looking at TR6's. There is nothing like a throaty convertible.
Out of all of the cars I’ve own over the decades, my little TR4 was my favorite.
I own a TR-250, the TR -4 body style looks so good in todays traffic. In a land full of Pick-ups, minivans and SUVS it reeks charm and a flair. With a few mods from Moss Motors they are quite dependable and a blast to drive. What I also love Is the sensation of speed without having to be speedy. PEACE OUT...
@@markcook3570Never owned one, but I also like the TR250. TR4 styling with what would become the TR6 engine.
@@kennethjackson7574 Exactly best of both worlds I had a speed shop hook my car up suspension wise and engine wise but 150 horse at the rear wheels thing handles like a go cart
@@markcook3570 Around 55 years ago I had a cool go kart. From the top down: top of the driver’s head, top of steering wheel, top of the seats, top of the VW fan shroud. It had been a Beetle that had rolled over. I took the body off, then had myself an off-road go kart!
The 6 was a great car! My biggest criticism would be that the bodies rotted out before you could pay for the car. I had a '70 TR6...It was a blast to drive and mine went everywhere driven like it was a sports car. The 6 didn't take a beating without consequences...so i did repairs on a regular basis. My favourite TR was the TR250.
I only vaguely remember my dad's TR6. I think we saw the movie, Jaws, at the drive-in while sitting in this car. Cool video!
My first car - a 1971, white. I loved that car. I also learned a LOT about car maintenance…
good video with a logical discussion of the arc of British car of the period
Back in 1973 I had a '69 TR6. Loved it dearly. On a late evening on a twisty river road in western CT I pushed it pretty hard. This resulted in the right suspension arm literally breaking away from the frame, welds let go. It never occurred to me stop and see what was the matter. The part wedged itself against the frame so it was still drivable though heavy to steer. I didn't think much of this until attempting to back up from a parking spot later that evening when the whole wheel assembly bound itself against the front inner wheel well. The next morning I had a friends two truck pickup the car when the wheel assembly hung by the steering arm. I called British Leyland to ask what was with this surprise, their response was "Oh yes, that often happens when you push them too hard". And that was that, good bye.
Nicely done!
Body designed by Giovanni Michelotti and facelift by Karmann. Personally If I had a TR 6 I would redo the panels with TR 4 ones. I had new 1968 TR4-A. I had all the chrome removed, removed those hideous gargoyle front fender side lights and had the fender seams welded and filled. Got lot's of complements. Would still be driving it if some woman had not rear ended it while it was parked and totaled it. Drove a friends TR 6 that had a cam and 3 Webers on it. Impressive.
I remember the TR-6 as I wasx a Teen then and rode in one. Loved them...
I loved the design of the Triumph Spitfire and they way it handled. It was a chic magnate. We are talking about 1978.
Great background. Well done episode.
Nice overview - Thx! I'd love a TR-4A or a TR-6. Such a classic British sports car. I think part of the Datsun 240Z's success was its Italian-inspired design - esp. as it seemed to take ques from the gorgeous classic Ferrari 275GTB. Also the Japanese cars growing reputation for affordability & reliability, which certainly parallels that chapter of the British v. Japanese motorcycle industry. I had a '67 MGB-GT & a '66 Triumph Bonneville in those years. How I'd love to have them again!!
I had the joy of repairing a TR3 ... Cool old car
I had a TR4A and a TR6 - great cars in their time. Your video really did justice to the marque. Very enjoyable. Thank you.
I had a TR4A and TR6 also.
Was the 4A quicker than the 6?
@@IncogNito-gg6uh The TR4a had a massey ferguson 4 cylinder tractor engine with dual carbs. If felt like you were going fast but you were just keeping up with traffic. The TR6 was very much faster with its 2.5L 6 cylinder.
@@blanchae Thanks! I never knew for sure. Back in 1971 the TR6 was my dream car (still is!). I had a co-worker who had a 4A he swore was quicker. He and another co-worker who had an Opel GT were always arguing which of those two were quicker. I don't know if they ever settled that!
Had a TR6 to drive while the owner was sent overseas gave me the keys and told me to drive it like I owned it, not like I stole it, loved it loved it loved it!!
Astounding tribute to a dream car.. British green, red or Mustard yellow. Love em all.
I really enjoyed this thanks! If it started and the electrical system did not fail,these cars where fun.😎
I've done four TR6. 205 70 R15 on the all fours. Koni adjustable socks on the front- the number two setting. 3/4 valving on the rear Armstrong shocks. Electronic ignition,
28 PSI in the front tires, 32 psi in the rear tires. Use the standard clutch not a performance clutch.
Now fly it low and fast.
Like a Cessna- with finesse.
I bought mine in 1975 when i was 18....67 now...she still purrs best exhaust note ever!....hairy chested beast.....in all my years have never seen a woman driving one!....kind of strange.
Had one many moons ago. Was 21 when I bought it and had for about four years only to be replaced by a 73" 911T. So that was about 44 years ago that I sold it. I think of the TR6 often now even though I drive a BMW Z8. My TR4, yes before the TR6, was a key point of inspiration. I was king of the road back then. Pony tail dude with the top down and aways could get a gal into the passenger seat. In fact, there's what I call the "Triumph position". I will leave that to your imagination. The only letdown with the TR4, at 19 years old, was when my 17 year old girlfriend got a red 69 Alpha convertible. Finer on all counts. A remember being impressed by the smooth transmission. Peppy. Sleek. But loved my little green TR4. The TR6, a major upgrade.
I was ready to start driving in the late 60's and was looking seriously at MG's and the TR6 as a possible car.
ALL that changed the first time I saw a 240Z in 1970 and I never went back to a British import car lot ever again. Ever.
I had me a 72 GT-6 MKIV one time that was a pretty sweet little roadster .... That Inline-6 4 sp with dual strombergs ran really well.
A very beautiful and under appreciated car! I almost bought a '71 GT6 in 1980. But it was too much of a stretch at the time, and I missed the opportunity. A year later I bought a '71 TR6. I didn't realise in what poor condition it was. In '86 I did a ground up restoration (working with Quinton Cowley of Coventry). Bought a new chassis from Peter Cox (also of Cox and Buckle). Sadly a slightly misaligned first effort from him and a local fabricator. I finished the restoration and shipped it next day to Australia in Jan 87. I arrived with the car on the way and just $325 in my pocket. I sold it in 2003 with very mixed feelings. I have often thought that Mk IV GT6 would have been the better buy!