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Motoring Monday: 1974 Triumph TR6 Kit

tr6

“Some Assembly Required”. Who else remembers that line from the boxes of many toy cars? It certainly applies to this 1974 Triumph TR6, offered for sale here on eBay with a starting bid of $5,999 and no reserve. The large “kit” is located in Spencerport, New York. It’s apparent that this British sports car has been a long-term project for someone, as many new parts have been accumulated. The car is certainly worth putting back together, and it benefits from having two rare options; dealer-installed air conditioning and an electrically-actuated overdrive transmission. But are the parts and car worth the asking price?

tr6parts

Although the seller hasn’t included as many pictures of the car as I’d like, there are plenty of pictures of new parts. Included are a complete interior with rebuilt seats, new suspension and brake components, all the weatherstripping, the wiring harness, and downdraft Weber carbs. Additionally, new inner and outer rocker panels and both floors are included. If a little bell just went off in your head, you’d be correct – the car needs floors and rockers replaced. I’ve done that on a TR6 and it’s not a fun job. To do it properly, it’s almost impossible to keep the body tub on the frame. Removal of the tub has to be done carefully, with stiffeners put in place to keep everything aligned, and it’s still difficult to reassemble everything afterwards. I’m guessing that’s where this project stopped.

tr6engine

Taking the tub off the frame would allow you to paint under the hood, though, as it should be (body color). If you look in the upper right corner of this pictures, the plastic cover for the blower fan for the dealer installed air conditioning is present. I don’t see the other parts of the ac system in the pictures, so an inquiry to the seller would be appropriate as to their location.

tr6seats

Ultimately, it seems like a lot of the relatively easy cosmetic refurbishment has taken place, while the more difficult cutting and welding remains. The engine ran and transmission worked when the car was taken off the road, so hopefully it won’t take too much to get them back into shape. Based on the TR6 transmissions I’ve rebuilt, I would at least take a good look at the transmission countershaft before reinstalling, and the same could be said for the thrust washers in the engine. Sometimes an ounce of prevention really is worth a pound of cure! So, what do you think? I have no doubt that the seller has more “invested” in this car than the opening bid, but that doesn’t mean it’s actually worth that much. Do you think this car will sell? Let us know in the comments below.

Comments

  1. Avatar Olaf E

    One pic of the car, the rest of (new) parts and the guy wants me to bid starting at $ 5,995? Don’t think so…

    Like 0
  2. Avatar Dolphin Member

    Not worth the asking, even if the hard sell in the auction listing is trying to get you to believe that: “This car restored could be worth as much as $30,000 or more.”

    These can still be bought in decent driving condition for about the opening bid price of this car, or maybe a little more. They made close to 100K of them over 9 years of production, and most people who have ever wanted a TR6 already own one or used to own one. The new parts that come with the car are the cheapest end of the resto cost, leaving the buyer to worry about the seriously difficult tasks that Jamie outlined, plus paint, plus any engine/drivetrain work that might be needed after 81K miles. And with a New York car with rusty floors and rockers it’s a good bet that the trailing arm area on the frame is weak..

    Unfortunately, I think this seller isn’t too likely to get his money back on the cost of the car plus the parts he bought for it. Best to offer it up in as many venues as possible, take the best offer, and move on.

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  3. Avatar bcavileer

    ‘Pebbles’, so named by Jersey Joe cause he said” what are you doing.. building her for pebble beach!” Is my 1970 Tr6. She was a project needing a driver floor and a trunk floor. Surprisingly the frame was excellent. Body off is the ONLY way to go with these cars. Buy a rotesserie, do it right or don’t do it. Anyway just so you guys (or gals) know going in, a nut and bolt full resto on a 6 will set you back at least 30K. Not counting initial purchase. And I did all mechnical work myself. P.S. went with a tr5 rear ratio 3.50:1 and am quite happy at highway speeds without the weight and extra complexity of OD. Just another thought. Motor is worked alittle, gasket matched stage 2 cam yada yada. Not gonna set 0-60 records, but no slouch either.
    Anyway, get in as low as you can, and buy a pre 72 TR6. Great car truly killed by smog crap and detuning post72. BTW. Air conditioning, please gimme a break. Might as well hook up a slush box too while your at it. Put the top down, tell her to put on a hat and go for a rip. Lol

    Like 0

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