Highlights
• Recommissioned and converted to RHD in 2018
• Low original mileage, matching numbers vehicle
• Extensive history file
The Background
The TR6 was built by Triumph from 1968 to 1976 and was a very successful machine. The vast majority were exported, with more than 83,000 going abroad while fewer than 9,000 sold in the UK. Styled by Karmann, this handsome British sports car has been a mainstay of the classic car scene for many years and is increasingly sought after.
The History
Built for the US market in 1974, the car was first registered in Florida. The next confirmed information we have is that the car was purchased by a resident of Texas in 1984, who was the third owner Stateside. They had always wanted a TR6, so cherished the vehicle, maintaining it to a high degree until 2017.
Sadly, in 2017 the car was caught in Hurricane Harvey when it hit Houston and was flooded with freshwater for a couple of days. After being lightly recommissioned, it was imported to the UK by an enthusiast in 2018. They undertake an extensive recommissioning and had the vehicle converted to right-hand-drive, UK specification.
The current owner purchased the vehicle in 2020, and it has been kept garaged and well-maintained ever since. Due to the lack of power steering on TR6s, the current owner finds they are no longer able to drive the car as much as they would like to, so have reluctantly decided to offer it for sale.
The Paperwork
Accompanying the vehicle is a very large file of history and paperwork. The V5 and a number of previous MOT certificates are present and correct - but it is now classed as a historic vehicle, so is MOT and tax exempt.
One of the most impressive elements of the file is the sheer number of service and maintenance receipts since the car’s import into the UK in 2018. Thousands of pounds and hundreds of man hours have clearly been spent restoring this lovely little sports car to full UK specification.
Also included in the file is a Certified Copy Of Factory Record, direct from the British Motor Industry Trust – an excellent thing to have in the file, and something that really does give confidence in the vehicle’s provenance. There is also a full Repair Operation Manual, parts catalogue and the DVLA import and registration documentation included.
The Interior
Triumph sorts cars always did have great cabins, and the TR6 is no different. The black vinyl seats and door cards are in very good condition, as are the carpets, gearshift and handbrake gaiters. The interior would benefit from a valet, but overall is in fine condition, with no rips or damage evident, and only the kind of light wear and tear that you’d expect from a vehicle of this vintage.
The dash is the traditional walnut veneer, with classic chrome-ringed clocks all in excellent condition. Included in the sale is a brand new electronic rev counter that has not yet been fitted. We’re assured by the owner that all of the switchgear and cabin features work as they should. The current owner has also sourced and fitted a vintage Matsui radio/cassette player, which suits the car perfectly, a wooden gearknob and a wood-trimmed three-spoke steering wheel.
As with all TR6s, the roof is a manual, black fabric convertible and is in very good condition inside and out, raising and lowering smoothly and correctly. The tonneau cover is a deep chestnut brown vinyl and is also in fine condition.
The boot area is generously sized and in excellent condition, with solid floors and lined with black carpet. There is also a full-size spare wheel underneath the wooden floor panel.
The Exterior
Supplied from the factory in Pimento Red (which was quite an orange-red), the car was fully resprayed in the late 90s by its American owner in the current bright red shade. The paintwork suits the car perfectly and really is in very good condition, as is all of the external brightwork and trim. The boot-mounted chrome luggage rack is a classic and practical addition too. The body panels are straight as a die, undamaged and well gapped.
When the car was recommissioned, all of the window seals were renewed, and the headlights were upgraded to new halogen sealed-beam units. And badging and trim that needed to be refreshed was replaced from new/old stock, so externally the car really does look almost factory fresh. Even the wheels are in near immaculate condition, the deep-dish steels with polished rims suiting the car perfectly.
Underneath the car is impressively solid, with no evidence of anything more than expected wear and tear. There was no corrosion or damage that we could see. The current owner had the vehicle fully inspected by a professional mechanic, and has a video showing the mechanic fully inspecting the underside of the vehicle and giving it a clean bill of health – they even comment on how impressed they are by the condition of the chassis, floor panels and suspension components.
The Mechanics
The car was extensively recommissioned after import, with many parts refreshed and renewed, from gaskets and rubbers to a number of mechanical items, a full right hand drive conversion and an upgrade to electronic ignition.
All US-spec TR6s came fitted with the 2,498 straight-six engine, fed with twin carburettors and mated to a four-speed manual transmission. Here, the carbs have been upgraded to twin Stromberg items, a radiator cowl has been added and recently new slave and master brake cylinders, screenwash tank and windscreen wash motor have been fitted.
The current owner recently had the sump removed and both the lower block and sump skimmed, cleaned and refitted too. A full service was carried out on the car less than 2,000 miles ago and overall the car is in very good condition mechanically. Firing up smoothly, the engine sounds characteristically throaty and burbles away delightfully on idle.
We are assured by the owner that the car drives very well, with no issues to declare. Certainly, from what we could see, all elements of the drivetrain, brakes and suspension looked to be in fine order and have obviously been very well cared for.
The Appeal
British sports cars of the 60s and 70s are much sought after, and for good reason. Combining relatively light weight with healthy amounts of power, strong drivetrains, great handling and a healthy aftermarket parts scene, they make for a perfect usable classic.
Triumph’s TR6 was a best-seller for a reason. That torquey 2.5-litre, 6-cylinder engine sounds superb and provides a good amount of power. Combined with the car’s excellent road manners, it’s no wonder they remain a popular choice.
Of course, finding a good one is still a challenge. But this car is an absolute gem. Not only has it been genuinely cherished since 1984, but the full recommissioning and right hand drive conversion in 2018 make it a very practical car for UK roads. So many of these lovely little cars have succumbed to corrosion and age, but this example really is in tip-top condition. The body and paintwork are excellent, underneath is as solid as you could possibly expect and the cabin is in very good order.
With the history confirming the low mileage, extensive work undertaken, and proving the vehicle’s status as a matching numbers car, what you have here is an excellent example of an increasingly rare car. If you’re looking for the perfect companion for the upcoming spring and summer car show season, this is it. It’s absolutely ready to go and enjoy for many years to come.
Pretty, beautifully kept and great fun – what more could you possibly want from a classic sports car?
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