- Seller: Brian S
- Location: Boise, Idaho
- Mileage: 67,850 Shown
- Chassis #: KF10710L
- Title Status: Clean
- Engine: 2.5-Liter Inline-6
- Transmission: 4-Speed Manual
The Triumph Spitfire is a fantastic little sports car. They offer fun handling, sporty looks, and are easy to work on, but they have one weakness: they just don’t have enough power. Now, you don’t need a tremendous amount of power in such a small and light car, but having just a bit more grunt makes them much more enjoyable to drive, especially in modern traffic. Clearly, Triumph saw a need for more power, as they debuted a coupe version of the Spitfire with a more powerful 6-cylinder engine called the GT6. The 2.0-liter engine fitted to the GT6 is an improvement, but it could still use a little more torque. The example being offered here as a Barn Finds Auction may have had that issue remedied and it was done with genuine Triumph parts!
The GT6 wasn’t the only sports car in the Triumph stable with inline-6 power. In fact, the TR250, TR5, and TR6 were powered by 2.5-liter engines that produced a healthy amount of horsepower and torque! The two engines are closely related, but installing the TR6’s engine isn’t as simple as you might think. Someone did a lot of work swapping the engine, but looking at it, you’d never know the difference.
This one is definitely a project, but it’s a running and driving car. One of its most significant issues is the interior, which will need to be redone. All of the major components are present, but it would benefit from new soft bits and wood. Thankfully, most parts were taken directly from the Spitfire parts bin, so replacing the upholstery or even the wood dash panels won’t be a huge issue. The car includes a set of rubber floor mats and a pair of door panels (although the panels appear to be for a different year).
Swapping a TR6 engine into a GT6 (or Spitfire), requires changing out a few components. To get it to fit, the oilpan from the GT6 engine has to be mounted to the TR6 engine and modified to accommodate the TR’s longer stroke. Keeping with the clearance issues, the TR6 intake sticks out too far from the engine, so the GT6’s unit must also be retained. Keeping the stock 2.0-liter engine cool was a challenge even from new, so going to a higher displacement and more powerful engine requires some cooling upgrades as well. The stock radiator is relatively small, so this car received a much larger aftermarket unit and an electric fan. The engine starts right up and stays cool. The carbs could use an adjustment and since it’s been sitting, we would recommend going through the fuel system. The original engine was rated at 104 horsepower and 117 foot pounds of torque, whereas the TR6’s engine was rated at 124 horsepower and 143 foot pounds of torque.
The seller lives near Barn Finds HQ, and we’ve known them for many years. Unfortunately, they are moving across the country and can’t take the GT6 with. We offered to house the car for them for the duration of the auction, so if you need photos or videos of specific areas, let us know, and we will get them to you ASAP. Since it’s here at our shop, we’ve been able to drive it, and it’s quite fun. The brakes need work, the engine needs an air cleaner, and the paint could benefit from being polished, but it’s a cool find. The TR6 engine is definitely the highlight, as it offers considerably more torque than the original engine. So, if you’ve been looking for a project you can drive while you restore, this might be the find for you!
Bid On This Auction
AriiTane bid $10,000.00 2025-04-20 06:39:51
Anders bid $3,000.00 2025-04-20 04:59:35
britcars bid $2,000.00 2025-04-19 11:11:34
frederick wilkinson bid $500.00 2025-04-18 17:31:52
TR6 engine is taller, how does it clear the bonnet bulge?
The intake from the original engine was retained
One of my favorite British cars. Good looking, plenty of power, and just plain fun to drive.
If I were only 6″ shorter….
Nope. Needs to have the right engine.
These are getting a bit more difficult to find, but……is that a correct/ legitimate, intended bid? 7 grand jump. Must be local if so.
Aside from that, love the thorough presentation!!! That’s the way to do it. The only thing that would’ve made it better is to put it on a lift for undercarriage photos, but that’s not always convenient. Appears to be a solid, neat car. GLWTA.
It’s a legitimate bid! Arii is serious about winning this one.
I would be tempted to resto-rod it and replace the iron lump with a shorter aluminum V6, both reducing weight and getting the weight back within the confines of the wheel base. It would give modern tech hp increase and improve balance.
Rover aluminum V8, V6, geez!
A co-worker had one of these back in the 80’s, same exact as this one, color and all.. He loved that car and I was surprised when he showed up one day with a new ’86 GT. I considered it a big upgrade, but quite a different ride for a professed British Car Lover.
Re-spray needing everything re-done? Not seeing this pencil out in any lifetime at current bid. What do I know. They are fun to zip around in tho.
After owning a couple my 6’3″ 200# long leg human form always felt like a guy wearing a hat too small . Never did fit comfortably enough to endure pain required to validate lack luster pedestrian performance.