In 1968 Triumph introduced the latest edition in their long-running line of “TR” roadsters. The TR6 replaced the stopgap TR5/TR250, sharing much of the older car’s underpinnings, and while not entirely new, the TR6 looked fresh and modern thanks to its heavily revised styling. Saving on development costs, much of the TR5’s Michelotti-designed body shell carried over, though it was extensively reworked with new front and rear clips, reportedly designed by Karmann. Power came from a 2.5-litre OHV inline-six, also shared with the earlier model. Home market TR6s made upwards of 150 horsepower thanks to Lucas P.I. mechanical fuel injection, putting the TR6 in the “junior E-Type” league. However, the complex system was finicky and difficult to set up correctly, so, in the interest of reliability, North American models relied on proven Stromberg carburetors, which were far simpler to tune to meet emissions regulations. Regardless of specification, the six had ample torque and a glorious soundtrack, propelling the light and nimble roadster along with ease. It quickly earned its place as a quintessential British roadster boasting iconic styling and real motorsports pedigree in an affordable package.
Showing just 7,378 miles from new, this 1971 TR6 is one of the best-preserved, most original examples we’ve ever encountered. Presented in the attractive shade of Saffron over New Tan upholstery, this unmolested TR6 is offered in time-warp original condition. According to the BMIHT Certificate, this car was completed on December 7th, 1970, and despatched to the North American market via British Leyland Motors Inc. of Jacksonville, Florida, about one month later. Options included the Saffron paint, tan trim, black vinyl hood, heater, black tonneau cover, and other minor fittings. It obviously lived a tranquil and pampered life, averaging fewer than 150 miles per year over the past 50 years.
The original paint is exceptionally well-preserved with a glossy and consistent finish quality. A few minor imperfections (such as the hastily applied adhesive in the door jamb) reflect British Leyland’s somewhat indifferent attitude toward build quality but highlight this car’s exceptional originality. It has the correct TR6 decals on the rear flanks and the matte-black treatment on the Kamm tail panel. As a 1971 model, this car features the desirable and attractive slim chrome bumpers instead of the ungainly rubber overriders of later US cars. It rides on factory-correct styled-steel wheels with bright alloy beauty rings, and remarkably, the original Goodyear G800 redline radials. Lamps, lenses, and exterior trim pieces are all in superb well-preserved original condition. It still wears the original badge from Tune Motors, a long-standing imported car dealer in Nashville, Tennessee, still in business today.
Opening the driver’s door reveals details like the protective plastic covering that was never removed from the door panel, pointing to the obsessive nature of this car’s first owner. The brown carpets are excellent, and the tan vinyl seat covers look virtually box-fresh. Details like the matte-finish wood dash, crystal-clear Smiths instruments, original shift knob, and factory radio are all like-new. Accompanying the car is the original owner’s manual with stamped metal warranty card, spare wheel, jack, tonneau cover, and tan top boot cover.
The 2.5-litre inline-six is the original matching-numbers unit per the Heritage Certificate. Like the rest of this car, it is authentically detailed and virtually all-original. It wears the proper Stromberg carbs, correct airbox, emissions vacuum tubing, and the correct green coolant hoses affixed with wire-type clamps. The plating, finishes, and hardware are all completely standard and in superb order.
Because the TR6 has always been relatively affordable, mechanically simple, and such a delight to toss around on a twisty road, many of them were run hard and put away wet. TR6s were used as everything from daily drivers to weekend race cars, and many were crashed, customized, or neglected by bargain hunters; and most TR6s that survive today have been restored at least once. This extraordinary Triumph TR6 is a benchmark of originality and a genuine collector-quality example for the dedicated connoisseur.
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