Triumph TR6 Buyers Guide

All that testosterone-fuelled machismo. Chests don't come much hairier than the TR6's, so much you won't be able to resist propping your elbow on the door and posing for all you are worth. You'll be impressed with its captivating blend of traditional British sportiness and Karmann-instilled Teutonic muscle.Its technical antiquity. The TR6 is effectively the last development of Triumph's original TR2 - a design that first took to the roads in 1953 - and drives with less conviction and more rattles than some all-new designs of the period. You might be irked that it's not as pretty as a TR5, or that its interior detailing lacks a little finesse.The TR6 comes from a venerable line of TR sports cars. Four cylinder TRs were lacking in puff by the mid Sixties, so rather than wring out extra power from the already hard-pressed engine, Triumph turned to the Vitesse's six-cylinder unit. They took capacity to 2498cc, and in ditching the wheezy Vitesse head and installing fuel injection power rose to 150bhp. The TR4A chassis needed little alteration for this engine, so Triumph built the six-cylinder TR5 in basically a TR4 body. In 1969, Karmann rebuilt the nose and tail to create the TR6. 95,000 were made before the TR7 arrived in 1976.Only detail changes affected the TR6 throughout its production, the most important being a drop from 150bhp to 124bhp in 1973 in search of greater smoothness and economy. Post-1971 cars had the stronger Stag gearbox, so a good choice is a 71-73 car with the better 'box and plenty of power. Cars that come with a hardtop are more desirable than those that don't, because they are seen as more suitable for use all year round.While robust, the TR6 is not without its niggles. A neglected fuel injection system will provide its fair share of headaches. That said, a good one is a pleasure. The engine is prone to crackshaft endfloat - more than 0.025 inch means the thrust washers need replacing. Oil pressure should be high - over 70psi at 3000rpm. Weak or fluctuating readings imply wear. The odd differential fails, but there's no way of telling if your car will be one of the unfortunate few. If the flexible petrol feed to the engine fails, fuel is sloshed onto the engine at 100psi. Make sure the pipe's good!You can replace a rusty body with a Heritage shell, with all panels made on the original pressings, for £3899. While the quality of these was initially suspect, it has since improved dramatically. A brand new chassis is £1600. Other than that, virtually all the parts you'll ever require are available of the shelf at sensible prices.The standard engine and brakes are good, so mods are best left for competition cars. Biggest engine consideration is conversion to unleaded fuel. A TR6 won't enjoy a lead-free diet. As well as the need for hardened valve seats, the fuel injection metering units cost £300. An exchange lead-free head is £370. The rear suspension benefits from conversion to telescopic dampers - Koni and Spax make kits. Replace front dampers as well to improve handling. Polyurethane suspension bushes will stiffen your car no end.The country is awash with Triumph specialists. Most of the information in this feature was provided by Huntingdon-based TRGB, who specialise in parts and restoration for all TRs, plus car sales. Other mail order parts specialists include TR shop, Rimmer Bros, TR Bitz and Moss International. The TR Register, Club Triumph and the TR Drivers' Club all provide excellent services, events and regular magazines chock full of TR specialists in most areas of theThere are good original cars and well restored examples on the market all the time. There are also plenty of dogs, bodged together to make a healthy profit from some mug sent giddy by the spring sunshine. Keep your eyes open, walk away from rough cars and you'll soon find the topless big six of your dreams.The most callous will think you're feeling your age, so to speak, and need the TR6's overt masculinity to bolster your waning zest for life. Those more familiar with the car's good points will also think you're feeling your age, and have chosen to leave behind your days as a young gun in revvy four cylinders by growing into lazy six-cylinder power and carefree cruising. Whatever they think, one thing's for sure. Secretly, they'll all want one.Tags: Triumph