Along with the Sunbeam Alpine/Tiger, the TR6 is one of my favorite sportscars. We’re talking just skin deep here because I’m only considering the design and appearance. Yeah, I know, pretty weak for a car guy but like many, I like what I like. And the fact that the TR6 has two more cylinders than many of its contemporaries adds to this Triumph’s allure. The seller makes an interesting opening statement, “First of all, my apologies to all ! I tried to list this yesterday on my cell phone, it did not go well“. I’m there with that, using a cellphone to post an online listing is a hard way to go. But, the listing now looks pretty good so let’s review. This TR6 is located in Grass Lake, Michigan and is available, here on eBay for a current bid of $3,700 with fourteen bids tendered so far.
This TR6 is listed as a one-owner car but the seller states that he bought it in December 2021, so maybe he bought it from the original owner but it’s not a one-owner car. It’s claimed to be very original but it’s not without its foibles – more mechanical than aesthetic. There are some surface rust spots but all-in-all, it shows pretty well. The folding top is a bit rumpled but that may be from being in a folded down position for an extended time frame. This Triumph is listed as having been garaged for 34 years but there’s no detail beyond that. The red-stripe tires are just perfect for a TR6 but the brown finish, nice as it looks, and those Federal bumpers really interrupt my calm TR6 vibe.
Power is provided by a 104 HP (U.S. net rated version), 2.5 liter, in-line six-cylinder engine and it does run but supposedly the brakes are on the fritz and it doesn’t stop. The seller adds, “ALL systems will need to be gone thru” which, let’s face it, could mean anything. Additionally stated is, “I believe the engine is in very good condition, only the carbs need to be rebuilt, fuel system cleaned. I also believe the transmission to be in very good shape. The clutch hydraulics need to be replaced, slave cylinder included with the car”.
This interior image shows a bright and tidy passenger compartment but another image details the deteriorating condition of the driver’s seat. The passenger seat and door cards look fine, however. The mileage is listed as 33K miles but the passenger seat wear probably indicates more use than that, and while it is the claimed mileage, there’s no documentation provided to back it up. So maybe the mileage recording is genuine and maybe it’s not. The passenger-side carpet is missing but the dash and instrument panel, along with a full complement of Smiths gauges, just make it – it’s the definitive element of British sports cars and saloons.
The seller suggests, “My 13th Triumph…even though this is a barn find it is by far the nicest, most complete, most original TR6 I’ve ever owned“. Well, that’s a strong endorsement and I’ll have to say that this is one of the nicer examples that I have covered. I have never owned a Britsh sports car or a TR6, and at this point in life, I wish I had but I know that I won’t. A dear old friend of mine, who was a Barn Finds reader, recently passed and he had a significant British sports car collection with a bend towards MGs (and he was a heck of a wrench too). I think he was probably the motivating factor for my interest though it was never quite enough to get me to bite. But if I were in the market, this would be one to consider – if only I could do something about all of that brown…What do you think, good bones here?
Love the Tr6. Not so much in baby poo brown though. Lol
Baby poo is more yellow, thats doggy doo brown but still a sweet car
Beautiful, and no problem at all with the color. Mistakenly we used to refer to this as chocolate brown. I am not planning on buying it, but if I were the owner I certainly would not be selling it! I will be surprised if an extra $10k does not get tacked onto the winning bid. If I were the owner, those hideous bumper guards would be sitting on a shelf in my shop.
I like it. Brown not being my favorite color will do though. doing the brakes is no big deal, but if its electrical work as part of the problem that can be quite tedious. Lucas wiring used on most British cars was not very good. When I’m finished with my project LUV I might go for one of these. I’ve mostly been an American car kind of guy (with the exception of two Opels) so going in this direction is quite a leap for me. But now that I’m a widower (just passed one year) I can see myself in a little sport car. Time will tell.
God Bless America
Are those rust holes on those frame-rails?
And I am with you on the style. I too am a Sunbeam TR6 leaner.
Yikes!
I agree, eBay pix show a complete frame is needed, not for the average guy. Brings the whole body into question.
Unfortuately this was head to head with the sportscar value of the 20th century – the 240Z. However, after having a TR-3 and a ’72 240, I plunged into the Triumph pool again. I had experience with the Uni-Syn, so keeping this running was no big deal and I liked the seating position. It feels like you’re right down with the wheels when driving with “spirit”. With all the caveats I have no idea what its true cash value is since the repairs could be $500 or $5000. or more. Still, the best looking English car of the time, save the XKE.
TR6 One of better British sports car.
Crankshaft endplay needs to be observed and measured, and the clutch slave needs to be changed to know if it is just the slave or if the clutch and pressure plate need replacing. Then you know what you are buying.
If these items are needed it is pull engine and transmission as a unit with the hood off,,, or pull the interior (seats and carpet) and remove the transmission from inside. I have done it – – it takes time and patience.
a friend of my little brothers had one of these in red…it was starting to rust around where the rear of the top fits, he was on the fence about fixing it or selling…i don’t know what happened to that car. when my mk1 scirocco was totaled he bought the ansa exhaust from me, he also bought a 280z after I had bought one…….he did buy a corrado which i consider the evolution of the scirocco but by then I had a job with a company car and bought a boat with a big block chevy and a couple of 4×4 SUV’s.
My 73 was a Siena brown example. I wished it was DBRG, but being colorblind, could pretend it was! I loved it, and the brown is very period correct, and certainly not a color you see nowadays. Makes it’s kinda unique.
Like @Rodney, I looked at the frame pictures and can’t make out what is on that left hand main frame rail. Are those rust holes? God, I hope not. And the condition of the rest of it would sort of indicate probably not, but I would want another picture from another angle to be sure.
All the things stated to be wrong are easily fixed by anyone with a capability to use a wrench, and won’t break the bank, but will require time and patience – as will all the things wrong that are not stated. There are bound to be some as you peel back the onion.
Currently at under $5K, it could still be a good buy, especially as prices are rising, and with a little love could be running again by the summer. GLWTS.
@Tim
No holes. Shadows. Shadows caused by the flaky rust.
It’s a bit chewy under there.
If it,s the 11th one you,ve owned and the best why are you selling it.