It’s fascinating how some classics make an immediate and unforgettable first impression. Such is the case with me and the Triumph TR6. I clearly remember seeing my first TR6 as a teenager, and while it probably wasn’t love at first sight, I still consider it the most attractive of Triumph’s “TR” series decades later. This 1973 example is a beauty. It is rust-free, presents extremely well, and features factory air conditioning. It is a turnkey proposition listed by the seller here on eBay in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. Bidding currently sits below the reserve at $6,100.
Triumph introduced the TR6 for the 1969 model year, with the last cars rolling off the Coventry line in July 1976. The company targeted the export market with its latest offering, with almost 85% of its total production of 91,850 cars finding their way to North America. This TR6 rolled off the line in 1973, looking as pretty as a picture in French Blue. A close inspection will undoubtedly reveal minor cosmetic imperfections, but with a shining paint finish and arrow-straight panels, this Triumph makes a positive first impression. The seller states that this beauty is rust-free, which is a significant factor for potential buyers who are unable to undertake a restoration project. The soft-top is new, the trim and glass are excellent, and the deal includes a color-matched hardtop.
Although the TR6 featured a stunning new Karmann-designed body, its underpinnings were carried across from its predecessor with few modifications. That means that popping the hood reveals a 2.5-liter straight six, with the ’73 Sales Brochure quoting power and torque figures of 106hp and 133 ft/lbs. All TR6s received a four-speed manual transmission, and while it isn’t mentioned, I believe this car may have the optional factory overdrive for improved open-road cruising. The seller confirms that this Triumph is in excellent mechanical condition. The engine springs to life every time, making this TR6 a turnkey proposition ready for warm-weather action.
One challenge for classic Convertible owners is hiding a sub-standard interior. That isn’t an issue with this TR6, which features the correct Black interior trim as specified in the Sales Brochure. There is no appreciable wear, and the timber dash looks excellent. It probably won’t win many show trophies in its current form, but it won’t embarrass its new owner either if they hit the road with the top down. One interesting feature is the factory air conditioning. I haven’t seen many of these classics fitted with that option, adding to this car’s desirability.
Choosing to part with a beloved classic is never easy, but it is a decision faced by the owner of this 1973 Triumph TR6. The lack of flexibility often associated with advancing years means they struggle to get in and out of this beautiful British sports car. Therefore, rather than leave it sitting in their garage gathering dust, they have elected to send the Triumph to a new home. It appears that the winning bidder will be able to immediately indulge in the type of motoring pleasure that only British sports cars can provide. If that prospect sounds appealing, maybe joining the bidding party could be the first step in making that dream a reality.
Nice car. Did a lot of work on these cars over the years that included mechanical, suspension, and body work. In the early ’80s the ACs were a dealer installed item and aftermarket units were available from a couple of companies for shops like ours. This car has the aftermarket suspension system that lowers the car slightly and greatly improves the handling. Nobody is going to not like this beauty.
Yes, these were nice to work on for the most part. Unlike the MGB, Midget, and Sprite, these were like the big Healeys in that to change the clutch or get at the transmission, you removed the seats, console, and transmission hump and pulled the tranny from above. To me, that was a lot easier than pulling the entire engine and transmission as in the Bs, etc.
Love the color. A/C seems superfluous in this car. I have it in my 89 Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce and it’s a waste of weight.
Had a 76 when we lived in Florida. Believe me, the ac was well worth it in the hot summer months.
As a young car nut when these hit the market, the TR6 looked cool and had some street cred. The example in the story looks exactly like one owned by a lawyer I know. As squarish as the design is, the TR6 still looks great in 2025. And at least up here are still affordable. It would be welcome in my dream garage.
I loved the TR6 until I bought one – then not so much.
looking at the door gaps makes me wonder about this one
I thought exactly the same thing. The door gap along the rear edge of both doors makes it look like the frame has sagged – a common occurrence for these if they’ve been exposed to road salt.
While it won’t be cheap, if the frame has been compromised by rust, which was common in these, aftermarket replacements are available from Tonyratco (see link below). They also make a wide variety of other frame and suspension parts for Triumph and MG cars. With all options (powder coating, phosphoric acid treatment and internal rustproofing), including crating, a frame for a 1976 TR6 will set you back about $8300, plus shipping (installation extra).
https://www.rat-co.com/home
The gaps on everything on these cars is bad. Spent a lot of time minimizing gaps on every car we had in the shop.
lota that corrosive here (car’s 35 min away in the Berkshire Appalachians) right now & most winters. Many will Not run a car like this then.
W/top up you’re gunna want the ac as this isnt your new england of old (lill sno, hi humidity in 85* summers).
I think this is a good buy despite some possible short comings with door sag. I previously owned a 1971 Tr6. I owned it 35 yrs. I bought it as a Flintstone Car, as there were holes in the floor pans and fenders. During my Ownership I had a off Chassis restoration done plus a total engine rebuild with upgrades. Over the period I owned the 6. I likely spent over $25k on it. It was a fun car to drive. Reliability not so much as Electricals posed ongoing issues throughout the whole ownership. I let it go for $7600 in 2019.
I can remember seeing my first TR-6 ever in the spring of ’71 while waiting for the school bus to take me home. I was quite impressed, but not quite as much as with E Type Jags. That TR-6 was in Europe. We were residing in Spain at the time, so it would have been a 150 bhp petrol-injected variant. Nice sportscars, but the TR-5/TR-250 has climbed to the top of the TR desirability list because of its rarity. Apparently, there are only six-hundred of them left worldwide.
Laurence, I didn’t realize there were so few TR 250’s and 5’s left. Always learn something here. My very first car was a TR250. Bought it in 1981 I believe. Paid $100 for it. Wasn’t running. All it needed was carbs rebuilt and a good tune. What a blast I had with that car. I’m sure because of those memories I’m a big fan of Triumphs from that era. Looks pretty nice except for what others have said about door gaps. Be a good one to inspect in person. I hope it finds a good new home.
My best friend had a ’74 TR6 and while returning to San Jose from a day at Santa Cruz my friend lost control and rolled it. Rolling a convertible isn’t recommended but we both survived. It was a really fun car. I was smoking a cigarette when we crashed and the gas tank emptied out when it was upside down. We were so lucky we survived but I was only 22.
I always liked the TR-6 better than the MGB, the IRS instead of the live axle and the six cylinder instead of the four cylinder were big plusses, and this one with factory A/C makes it worth saving! I consider these to be the British equivalent of ’60’s American muscle cars in the sense that there is a whole cottage industry of aftermarket parts support so extensive that it is literally possible to build a brand-new example from scratch, including brand new bodies made with original tooling! Sourcing an original engine can be tough, but Ford Windsor small-blocks (289, 302) or GM/Rover 215 V8’s are a popular upgrade. There are also five-speed transmission conversion kits available and suspension/handling upgrades available too numerous to list!
I’ve had both,& the MG was a more solid,better built car
with a lot more leg room.I still have the ’67 GT.
Dad had ’57 MGA when my brother and me were in diapers, and he used to put both of us in the front seat when he would go to run errands. Mom tied the passenger side door shut with clothesline so we wouldn’t pull on the cable to open the door and fall out of the car, because the car didn’t have door locks, let alone seat belts, LOL! That’s where my love of open sports cars started, which is why I’ve owned three (3) Miatas so far in my life! The British open sports car experience, combined with Japanese reliability!
Once I was sitting in the front seat of the MGA in our driveway, playing “driver”, I must have been about three (3) years old, and somehow I popped the car out of gear and it rolled into Mom’s ’61 Buick Special! The only damage to either car was a broken headlight on Mom’s car, but it was a good thing Mom’s car was blocking the way, because otherwise, Dad’s car would have rolled into the street with me in it! My biggest surprise was that I didn’t get a spanking, Dad thought it was funny!
Dad sold the MGA when I was in kindergarten (1964) to a teenager, who wrapped the MGA around tree less than a week after he bought it from my Dad! Not Good!
I have one of each… ’74 ‘6 and ’73 ‘B Roadster… I agree the ‘B does feel more of one piece where the ‘6 feels more like a lot of parts in close formation… but the Triumph 6 is a wonderful engine in sound and feel. Makes up for a lot…
Door gaps can frequently be corrected by working the body mounts. I’m more concerned with what the black engine bay paint is hiding. Should be body color.
Wow your right , great catch “Broken wrench”. I just noticed that. No sure if that undercoating or bed liner type of paint hiding the factory blue paint
This car DOES have Overdrive – you can see the second
lever on the left side of the steering column.
I wonder why the painted under the hood Black? It should
be body colored.And I wouldn’t drive it home from Mass.,as the roads still might have salt residue on them.