Getting it right, right out the gate
The Triumph TR6 was, unlike its name suggests, more like the eighth or ninth production car Triumph put out, though the model numbers do generally go up in sequence from the original 1946 Triumph Roadster. The TR6 was designed fairly hastily on a minimal budget and represented a substantial departure, both cosmetically and in performance, from the TR4.
Still, despite being a very different beast than its predecessors, Triumph managed to make a winner, with almost 92,000 TR6s produced between 1969 and 1976, most of them sold in the U.S. The TR6 was notable not only for being a solid vehicle but also for pioneering a numbering convention that served as a prototype for the modern Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) system used today. This particular Triumph is from 1975, one of the last made, and underwent a refurbishment in 2008 that included a rebuilt engine, a retrimmed body, repaired frame and floors, as well as new suspension and brakes. Let’s see how they did.
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A maple red, fully bodied delight
The original color on this TR6 was Maple (color code 73). The fine brown hue was overcoated with flat red and black pinstripes on the sides as part of the 2008 refurbishment. That same process also included dent repairs. An almost oval grille connects the two round headlights, with a “TR6” badge prominently displayed in the center. The chrome bumpers have U.S.-legal black rubber overriders as part of the original export requirements.
The black convertible soft-top and tonneau cover are both replacements, and up front, a black air dam provides better airflow and aerodynamics. The single driver’s-side mirror and the luggage rack on the rear are both polished silver, as are the 15″ steel wheels shod in 205/70 Firestone Affinity Touring tires.
Real wood finish for a true touch of class
All-new foam and black vinyl were used to restore the interior, with both seats, door panels, and the dash trim covered in it. The rest of the dash is faced in a bright, light woodgrain panel, while the carpeting is also replaced from the original and covered in Triumph-branded black floor mats. Both a heater and defroster are present, along with a locking glovebox on the passenger side, and a Kraco cassette radio.
A tri-spoke steering wheel is clad in black vinyl around the rim with smooth spokes connecting it to the steering column. Smiths instrumentation covers the driver’s side and the center of the dash, featuring a 0-140 mph speedometer, a tachometer that redlines at 7,000 rpm, and auxiliary gauges for oil, coolant, amperage, and fuel.
Rebuilt to as good as new
Under the hood lies a 2.5L (153ci) six-cylinder engine equipped with dual Weber carburetors. In that configuration, the power output was rated at 101 horsepower and 128 lb-ft of torque in ideal conditions. The 2008 restoration replaced all the valves, connecting rod bearings, gaskets, and seals. It also saw the installation of an electric fuel pump and an electronic PerTronix distributor, as well as a heat-wrapped exhaust header and a special high-torque starter.
All of that power and performance is pushed to the rear wheels by way of a four-speed manual transmission, while stopping power consists of front discs and rear drums, with both front wheel bearings and rear wheel cylinders replaced. The odometer reads 31,000 miles, of which only around 50 were added by the current owner.
Final thoughts: This was a Triumph
The TR6 was a financial, commercial, and reputational success for Triumph, and if that had been the end of the story, Triumph might still be making cars today. Sadly, with the retirement of the TR6 and the introduction of the TR7, quality and reliability began to slip, and with them the marque’s image and finances. The 70s and 80s weren’t kind to many automakers, and Triumph simply couldn’t keep up with the slump, forcing the company to close its doors completely in 1984.
While no new Triumph cars are on the horizon today, there’s plenty of joy to be taken in their older models, where one can truly appreciate what went right in the carmaker’s good years. If you’re an enthusiast for British motors or just appreciate small and peppy two-seater convertibles still clinging to the pre-EPA days, this is an auction worth checking out!
