- Seller: Philip D (Contact)
- Location: McMinnville, Oregon
- Mileage: 98,042 Shown
- Chassis #: CC25004L
- Title Status: Clean
- Engine: 2.5-Liter Inline-6
- Transmission: 4-Speed Manual
The Triumph TR6 has long been considered the last TR that was designed in the original idiom, a no-nonsense, affordable, beefy roadster that combined good looks with a torquey engine and robust mechanical gear. Updating the TR4/TR250 bodystyle for a new generation of TR was left to Karmann, and their facelift breathed new life into a largely carryover structure. With the first cars rolling off the assembly line in 1968, the TR6 enjoyed a long production run, with sales finally starting to fizzle out near the end of production in 1976. This particular TR6 might look like nothing more than a stalled restoration project, but the car’s vehicle identification number may interest anyone who collects Triumphs. It’s reportedly the fourth TR6 off the line, and it’s being offered as a no reserve Barn Finds Auction.
The first carbureted TR6 apparently left the line on September 19, 1968, and its VIN was CC 25003. You can see that this is the next car in line. Our in-house Triumph experts note that the very first cars off the line are sometimes referred to as ‘1968s’ because they were built prior to Triumph’s official start of the 1969 model year, which began on January 2, 1969, but are titled as ‘1969s’. See the gallery below for images of the car’s paperwork.
This Triumph will be a restoration project, but work has already commenced. The engine has been removed and rebuilt, with the receipts for the parts and machine work posted below. American-bound TR6s used two Zenith-Stromberg 175CD carburetors instead of the home market fuel injection, and power suffered as a result of the U.S. tune. Still, its 104 horsepower and 143 lb.-ft. of torque were good enough for zero-to-60 times in the 10-11 second range and a top speed nearing 110 miles per hour. The seller has put the engine and transmission, as well as the parts, back in the car for ease of transportation.
As you can see, the interior is largely disassembled, but the seats and a new dash pad will come with the car. The missing carpet gives us an opportunity to examine the virtually rust-free floor pans. More work will have to be done if you’re giving this car the restoration that such an early build so richly deserves, but parts availability for TRs is not usually a problem.
With its Kamm-style tail and husky good looks, the TR6 has always been a popular collector’s sports car. This one, however, becomes something that much more special because of its extremely low serial number. It has to be an exciting find for Triumph fans, and you can bid on it now on Barn Finds. It’s a no-reserve auction, so somebody is going to take home one of the earliest TR6s in the world.
Bid On This Auction
steverwrx bid $3,850.00 2025-09-29 11:54:48
Orphancars bid $3,600.00 2025-09-29 11:22:09
Roger_E bid $2,500.00 2025-09-29 10:38:34
Sgseward bid $1,500.00 2025-09-29 05:07:21
Spicoli bid $1,250.00 2025-09-28 21:43:46
Nglshmn bid $1,000.00 2025-09-28 17:30:57
Ralph bid $600.00 2025-09-27 08:03:45
914Shifter bid $350.00 2025-09-26 09:01:21- Ralph bid $100.00 2025-09-23 09:41:49
HAPPY BIDDING
According to what I can find, this could be the 2nd production TR6, at least the 2nd USA export car, built in September 1968, as a 1969 model. CC25001 and CC25002 have not been found in factory records, and CC25003 is listed as the first production TR6, built on 19 Sept 1968.
The Petrol Injected cars for for the home market used the CP prefix. CP25001, the first car, was probably a prototype. One thing I’m unsure about is if they would re-use the number sequence between CC and CP cars. If so, it’s possible that CP25001 was car #1, a prototype fuel injection for the UK market, C?25002 unknown, CC25003 the first export TR6, and this car CC25004 #4 car, #2 USA export. Rimmer Brothers has a VIN decoder. I found a post on TRForums that an owner states he has the “oldest surviving production TR6.” His VIN is CC25017L, built 13 cars after this one.
There were not 68 models, as you said 69 model year
After I first got this car my surch found that #1and2 were test autos and destroyed as test vehicels,#3 was destroyed in a collesion in the state of Washington state ,as none of these cars have surfaced I claim the earylest Auto and now it can be yours.
Philip
TRForms needs to see my auto
Philip
after more research, I’ve found that there was a CC25001L and a CP25001-O, so my theory about not duplicating the number sequence was wrong.
July 4, 1968. The first three pre-production prototypes, CC25001L, CC25002L, and CP25001-O were recorded as having been completed off-line.
Sept 19, 1969 The first production TR6, CC25003L, leaves the production line
Jan 10, 1969 Press announcements to journalists. Around 2650, mainly USA spec TR6s had rolled off the assembly line.
Jan 14, 1969 Press announcement to the public
Jan 15, 1969 First public showing of TR6 and Brussells motor show.
April 1969, The TR6 was available for purchase from dealers.
This car is possibly the 2nd production car.
Assuming the Sept. 19, 1969 is a typo.
So you think this is a Sept. ’68 car?
yes typo, sorry. i think this car {and CC25003L) were built sept 19, 1968 based on it’s commission number (VIN) of CC25004L
Whatever serial number that car has or when it was built, are the least of its issues.
Thanks ,for all the good info
So do you believe there are any earlier production cars out there?
Philip
I also read that the first one had been restored, but I couldn’t find anything else or any proof. Also, “the first one” could be the first prototype or the first production car, they didn’t specify which one they were talking about on the page I read.
So #4 could be earlest
A mechanic friend said he never trusted a car whose rear end was always trying to be ahead of it’s front end. Made me want one even more.
Nows your chance
Philip
I had the 102nd TR250 made, CD 102 L, and I thought THAT was cool.
Thats cool ,Mine seems to have a lot of TR250 heritige
Philip
I had the 102nd TR250 made, CD 102 L, and I thought THAT was cool.
It is cool
Philip
Are the rostyle wheel covers still with the car??
All I have is what you see in the photos
Philip
Had a 3b and early 4a. Drove both like stolen. Lots of fun and good memories.
I’m about 30 yrs and 3000 mile beyond this tr6. Still would love the challenge of this 6.
I also had one in teck school ,loved it
Philip
Nows your chance ,jump in
Philip
I have a 1971 TR6, had it for 16 years, absolutely love that car, wish I had the time an place for this one, not fast just fun to drive on occasion, someone will enjoy this this car
Thanks for the comment, I only wish I had time to finish mine.
Philip
I am the second owner of mine,All I’ve done is simple preventative maintenance on it, it was like new when I got it, don’t drive it very often, only has 83,600 original miles on it,It is fun to drive though
Both Damson CC25003L and New White CC25004L were indeed built on the 19th September 1968. The TR’s preceding these two on the line on that day were New White CP3101-O, New White CP3100 and New White CD8594L.
Derek
This one was white under the blue.
Have no clue when it got the blue but it was nicely done
This car has been in climate control buildings for almost 40 years
Philip
Looks like it needs rubber seals all the way around. The car has seen some love, but needs a lot more, especially with all the cosmetics.
It’s a beautiful color.
This is in surprisingly good condition for its age. Especially the floorboards! I have a 74 that I am working on right now, but miss those clean no-rubber bumpers. GLWA.
Thanks for your input .
I see the engine number has the “HE” suffix, indicating a high compression engine. Was this common for the early carb models?
Yes, they had larger Carbs
It is fricking nuts that this hasn’t been bid up to at least $5k given how solid it looks and how early a ‘69 it is! If I hadn’t bought a different Triumph this week, I would be bidding on it, even given the $2000 or so it would take to ship it to this coast!
Thank you for your honesty, I don’t get it either
Philip
I certainly don’t need another project, but this is a find! I have 2 1973 TR6’s, one is nearly perfect, the other, a work in progress. This has so much potential!
thank’s for looking
Looking forward to this project. My 1st car was a ’72 TR6 back in 1982 that I owned for about 10 years.
I’m glad to hand it off to someone that will put it back on the road