The Triumph TR6 was a British-built sports car that was in production from 1969 to 1976. Out of nearly 92,000 assemblies, about 90% of them were exported to the U.S. This example is a one-of-a-kind custom edition where 19 inches were added to the wheelbase to accommodate a back seat. Wearing an unusual paint combination and seemingly in great shape, this Triumph will be auctioned off here on Sloan and Kenyon on 7/27/23, although we found out about the vehicle here on craigslist. Thanks for the cool tip, TV!
TR6 was one of many roadsters to come out of both Triumph and Britain. With a 2.5-liter inline-6 engine, the TR6 was one of the most popular of these types of autos. But keeping up with changing Federal safety standards proved hard to maintain, which may have led to the TR6 being replaced by the TR7, its “wedge-shaped” successor. These cars are somewhat rare on their home turf as just 8,300 stayed in the U.K.
We don’t know how this one-of-one came about or exactly how the transition was made from a sports car to a family car. Although more than a foot-and-a-half was added in the middle for more passengers, the car still has two doors and they look rather wide. This is a true 2+2 for which the back seat probably isn’t conducive to the likes of basketball players.
Besides the custom bodywork, this TR has been treated to a new engine that only has about 1,000 miles on it. But the overall mileage is 92,000+. The battery is also new and we presume this is a turn-key fun machine that needs nothing. Besides the two-tone paint being unique to this vehicle, the hood and tonneau top were custom-made. The top can be removed and put into the trunk until needed, with the top frame folding up behind the back seat. This is a cool-looking car, but we wonder how the extended wheelbase changes the handling characteristic of the Triumph.
I think I like it. The side view leaves me with a “Jaguar-type” feel about.
That makes two, including the family dog for whom the back seat was consigned.
Well that is diiferent….like it though
I wouldn’t buy only because there is no provided history. At any car show, fifty people will be asking you who, how, what, why of the conversion, only to get “I don’t know” from you as a response….
The entire top and side windows needs to go back to the drawing board. Would prefer a different color and a black interior, otherwise it looks great.
I had a TR6 for 20 years. I bought it in college in 1981 and drove it everywhere. I loved it but the body and chassis frame were flexy flyers. If you parked it with one front tire up on the curb, the doors were hard to open. No, it didn’t have a rusty frame or body, but it was 11 years old and well used. I can only imagine the chassis twisting with an extended wheelbase.
Kind of like the 4 seat Barbie Corvette
Wow! Been a Triumph TR6 guy since the mid 90’s and have NEVER seen this! Is kinda awesome and definitely unique. I miss my 1975 Pimento Red/Chestnut interior so much
This car was modified by Lenny Renkenberger Jr. Mr. Renkenberger was a British car fanatic who owned an MG TC with a flathead V8 swap among others. He had 2 children Leonard III and Shirley. Obviously a TC won’t seat four nor will most other LBC’s. That’s when he thought to stretch a TR6 to fit his family. His son Lenny III told my father all this a few years back when my father bought a worked Mallard Greeen TR6 from him. He saw the stretched TR6 and said the work was absolutely beautiful but there was no getting past the very dated color scheme. A repaint and a trip to the trimer would do wonders for this car.
I remember in 1975, I was 16 and my boss, Hurley Haywood the race car driver told me to drive a new tr6 from Illinois to jacksonville, Fl. I believe it was for a friend of his. I remember I couldn’t figure out how to turn the headlights on and I drove through all the way though Indiana in the dark with no lights until I finally figured it out! It was a fun trip for a 16 year old! Hurley would let me take his porsche 930 to the dealer for service!
Doesn’t say no reserve if you follow the links they have a couple of other interesting cars might be one to watch and see what it sells for
Just because you can doesn’t mean you should.
Been a Triumph fan since I bought my TR4A in 1983. I think it’s brilliant, I could load all the dogs (and my Bride) in it for road adventures!
I had a TR4A back in the day. Loved it!
Was prolly a good idea at the time…
Why?
Ken Renkenburger did everything first class. All his cars were made as wonderful drivers. He also started the TR6 club called 6 Pack. He was also the newsletter editor for the club for more years than I can remember. He also was one of the originators of the North American MGA Registrar where his wife was the Chairman for many years and also the newsletter editor. He knew more about these cars in his sleep than anyone and if he did it its wonderful. They stretched this, not for a dog but they had two young grandkids they wanted to go on rides with them.
Len, not Ken, sorry I hit the wrong letter.
Extra inches extra weight longer car here fishy fishy fishy. Had a 69 510 datsun put a datsun truck engine in it 200 more cc and a bigger two barrel carb fishtailed every time I’d dump the clutch fourth gear chirp everytime wish I had another one of those. If I ever bought a british car I’d buy a rover 2000 only made four fours but a 3.5 ? 4 cylinder is huge dad had one went up the fraser canyon like a rocket on rails!!!
The four cylinder Rover was 2.0 liter and 2.2 liter.
They had a V-8 that was 3.5 liter. That is the aluminum V-8 that they bought the rights to from Buick. I am pretty sure that Rover evolved that engine into what we all remember and liked.
It is interesting, and extremely well done. But proportionally, the TR6 is already long and narrow. I saw another TR6 modification once where they cut it lengthwise and added about 10″ to the width. It was not finished and was not perfect, but the proportions seemed correct.