When it came to replacing the elegant but aged Michelotti-styled TR5 ready for a new decade, Triumph took a cost-effective approach.
The 1969-on TR6 was essentially a neat, contemporary facelift of the previous model, performed by German coachbuilder Karmann, which added the German firm’s chopped-off ‘Kamm’ tail and a new squarer front end, along new, flatter panels.
It was largely the same as the TR5 underneath, with a separate chassis and a front-mounted fuel-injected straight-six sending power to the rear wheels through a four-speed gearbox. This one, though, is not straight-six.
The TR was converted by its previous owner in the early 2000s, using the 3.9-litre V8 EFi engine from a 70,000-mile Range Rover to create a unique, high-performance one-off.
Inside, the TR6 is in reasonable, functional order with the front seats neatly retrimmed in black vinyl. The carpets, door trims and dash are decent enough and there is a modern radio upgrade.
There are some cracks to the wood finish on the dashboard, but it’s still quite presentable.
The TR6 looks purposeful, sitting on wide magnesium slot-mag-style alloys and with a lower ride height and wider track than a standard TR6.
It’s far from perfect. There are scuffs and marks all over and some small rust bubbles, as well as light corrosion to the sills and some body seams that would benefit from intervention before it gets worse.
It’s under the bonnet where things get really interesting. The engine is a 3.9 EFi V8 and came out of a running 70,000-mile Range Rover. A reconditioned TR7 V8 LT77 gearbox was sourced and mated to the engine via a lightened and balanced flywheel with an AP racing clutch.
The install needed custom-made engine mounts and shim and an adapted gearbox mount, along with a shortened and balanced prop shaft. The old 3.7:1 diff was removed and a 3.45:1 sourced.
Refurbed driveshafts were fitted, the suspension trailing arms replaced, dampers renewed and coilovers fitted to lower the car slightly. The front brakes were uprated to grooved and cross-drilled discs, while at the rear a pair of very rare ALFIN drums were found, fitted with greenstuff shoes.
It uses a Rimmers exhaust mid-section and a twin pipe backbox arrangement sourced from TR Shop in Chiswick, which were custom made for a previous customer who changed his mind.
A high-pressure fuel pump and filter mounted under the passenger rear wing were added and a Rover SD1 radiator and water pump for advanced cooling, aided by a Kenlowe fan. It’s a fascinating and well-executed install with incredible performance and an addictive soundtrack.
The car starts and drives with no obvious faults being evident other than those noted but having said that the seller is selling this vehicle as a running project requiring work before use.
This is a very cool thing – a car that was brawny enough to start with but which has been injected with even more beef courtesy of that alloy V8 in its nose.
It requires attention, but it still looks pretty good and it sounds amazing. It’s a fabulous piece of kit with a real surprise in store for those who were expecting a federally restricted straight-six. Be different – you’ll love it!
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1975 Triumph TR6 V8
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