This 1970 Triumph GT6+ model is fresh out of 30 years of storage and looks to be surviving quite nicely. This is otherwise known as a MKII GT6, which benefited from numerous suspension upgrades after the first generation models was heavily criticized for its swing-axle system that was lifted directly from existing models. The MKII features a thoroughly revised rear suspension that gave it the handling characteristics enthusiasts expected out of a car that looked this good. Find it here on Facebook Marketplace with an asking price of $8,450 and located in Michigan.
The GT6 looks quite original from every angle, from the multiple rear taillight lenses to the hubcaps to the bumper overriders front and rear. The seller notes it is wearing a rare and desirable shade of paint know as Primrose Yellow, though it looks practically white in photos. The body is said to be mostly rust-free, with some corrosion noted on the passenger-side rocker panel. The floors are original, as are all body panels. Mileage is believed to be genuine at just 57,000.
The GT6 was commonly referred to as the poor man’s E-Type, and you can certainly understand why it may receive such a distinction. The looks are racy from every angle, and the slim chrome bumpers are cleanly integrated into the body. Unfortunately for the Spitfire upon which it was based, the convertible body eventually had to wear the ugly U.S.-spec safety bumpers that were bulbous and jarring to the eye, and practically became standard on every import vehicle beginning in the late 70s. This GT6’s exterior shows no obvious signs of modification or accident damage.
The listing doesn’t include any interior photos, but the seller claims the original cockpit – including the seats, door panels, and carpet – all remain in excellent condition. While the transmission has been rebuilt at some point, there are still outstanding mechanical issues, including the fact that it doesn’t run and will need carburetor work. It will also need a new slave cylinder and started installed, but those are fairly straight-forward fixes. Would you choose the tin top GT6 or Spitfire convertible?
Neat car.
Shouldn’t this also have the electric overdrive transmission?
I know it should be preserved and redone as stock, or a stock(ish) driver….
I just wonder how much resto-modding of the drivetrain and suspension would be possible before the chassis would be overwhelmed? Small, agile, and with a bit of modernization, an absolute gas to drive?
Overdrive was optional, not standard.
when I bought my car in 69 and ordered the overdrive, OMG the dealer was trying to talk me out of it, they had to order a car with it
DayDreamBeliver, it was an option, When I ordered mine a 69 GT6+ I got the overdrive, it worked on 3rd & 4th gear,and the cars had the heating element in the rear window, 69 was when the started the improved rear suspension
Five speed gear box kits are readily available as are goodies to shore up suspension and engine performance. Nice to see one in decent condition.
I thought this was my favorite Triumph, but after test driving a Spitfire, no thanks. Nice find, but heck, you’re better off finding an MGC, which I consider a much nicer car.
Maybe that’s because the GT 6 has a 2000cc engine whereas the MG C has a 3000cc lump. I have driven both cars and they each have their own characteristics. The GT 6 handles much better than the MG C but the C is obviously much more powerful, so it’s six of one and half a dozen of the other.
Or a BGT. I just thought the MG was better built car.
I always liked these, but I could never get in and out of one any more. Get it running properly and add a set of Mini-Lite types wheels and have fun with it!
Yes, just what I was about to say! It’s begging for mini lites
I put the min-lite’s on the real ones, LOL on my car back in 69
My friend had a Spitfire “cho-cho”.
It was fun like an oversized go kart.
What was really fun was the daily gamble of “will it start today, and if so, will it not stall in traffic and then not re start?”
British electric systems seemed like something we had in the 40’s lol
Worst part was that it was insanely frustrating to diagnose
We would try anything we could think of and nothing would work , then 2 days later it would just start and run until the next time
But I’m sure there is someone who will say they never had a problem
Just like Jag’s and Mercury Triton outboards
one you never have to touch and one that all you do is fix
I have had three without those issues. It’s unfair to speak poorly of the car because you don’t understand how the carburetors work.
Yes, you had to have the carbs syncronized every 6 months to get good performance, i remember the service guy telling me to add atf to the tops of the carbs every week or so,, this was on a 69, back in 73
Nice starting point. I do have a question for all. What is the advantage of listing a car on Facebook? I don’t belong to Facebook and it seems to me you are really limiting your chances to sell your car.
Thanks.
I hear from my daughter, who uses FB, that you get less of the BS people calling. On CL I have had drunks call at 3 am.
Thanks Catimann. I agree with you that CL is a crapshoot.
@Catimann – Yeah, on Facebook you get a bunch of drunks messaging at 3 am! Personally, I think craigslist has improved now that they charge.
So sad to hear folks constantly berate classic (older than 1973) British sports cars. Some of the electrical issue complaints are warranted, but I for one, have had great luck with them. Back in the day (1975, to be exact), I had a ’69 GT6 Mk II (+), and it served me well. Secret is to adjust/balance the carburetors AFTER one has adjusted the valve lash, tuned the engine which includes replacing the plugs, points, condenser, rotor, cap, & wires. NO SHORTCUTS!! I still have my UniSyn and honestly, once the carb’s were set, I never had to tweak them again.
Those who try to “poor-boy it” have no business messing under the bonnet.
And the argument about which is better, the MG or Triumph, well, that will never go away. Some folks prefer Chevrolet while others (the smart ones) are die-hard Ford fans. All kidding aside, the Triumph marque is amongst my favorites. As the owner of three GT6’s, perhaps I’m biased?
IMO the GT6 was far superior to the BGT. 6 cyl, independent suspension, better looking, better handling, etc.
I agree, David, and it is still the best-kept secret out there! As soon as the speculators (who don’t know the difference between a crescent wrench and a torque wrench) start buying them up, the prices will go into the stratosphere.
Like. Want. Keep the poverty caps and drive it like I stole it. Ahhh. I guy can dream can’t he? Too geographically far for me to fly in and drive it home though.
Nice looking car! Are those Plymouth dog dishes though?
Funny you mention that, SDJames. I often thought the full wheelcovers on my 1970 Spitfire matched those from a mid-1960s Dodge Dart. Wonder if they sourced them from Chrysler here then stamped them Triumph in the UK?
Ad has been modified to indicate a pending sale.
This is nearby for me, if I had been in a position/inclination to go for it, I’d have been a lucky guy.
This car brings up a head-shaker for me. When I was a less-than-bright youth, a similar one (with wires and the overdrive) nearly became a one-way ticket to jail, as I was joy-riding and nearly wrecked it. Unauthorized late-night drives were something I did on occasion, and that one was the last one ever for me. Way too close to disaster, never considered doing it again!
I had one of these and loved it but family got in the way. I made a set up for the daughters car seat behind the passenger seat. We would open the hatch and put in the baby and the groceries. Man did people look. But that car seat was in there better than anything today. 3 point metal attachment to the body at a frame connection. I had wire wheels, found and installed an OD and had all sorts of original body parts for it. I miss that car. I could drift it through curves and corners in the wet. So much fun.
I used FB to sell an 06 GTO and my Harley Ultra Limited, worked extremely well for me. You communicate through the FB messaging system, you also can see the general profile of the people you are talking to.
I had a 69 plus with aftermarket Weber carbs and wire wheels. I put a VW air conditioner in it, positioned under the little shelf right behind the seats. Worked well. Drove it all over the country. Highest speed 148.