Triumph hit a sweet spot with its TR6. It proved a sales success, and these classics remain desirable today. This 1974 model has occupied this spot in a barn since 1985, needing a new owner to revive it and return it to its former glory. It is an essentially solid and unmolested vehicle that could prove an affordable British sports car. The TR6 is listed here on Facebook Marketplace in New Ulm, Minnesota. The seller is looking for offers over $4000, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder NW Iowa Kevin for this excellent lead.

Triumph introduced the TR6 in 1969, with 91,850 finding buyers before the final car rolled off the line in Coventry, England, on July 20, 1976. The original owner ordered this car in 1974, electing to cloak its panels in Mimosa Yellow paint. The seller doesn’t mention any prior restoration work, and the indications are it could look quite presentable if the new owner treats it to a wash and polish. It won’t be perfect, but it might be acceptable for someone seeking a driver-grade car on a budget. The seller states it is solid, with little body rust. They don’t elaborate on where any issues might be, and it would be worth sending them a private message to clarify the situation. The exterior looks clean, and there are no signs of nasty surprises in the trunk. The Black soft-top isn’t ripped or torn, although the windows are so cloudy we can’t see through them. Some trim pieces are missing, and the wheels require restoration, but the glass looks okay.

Lifting the hood reveals a 2,498cc six-cylinder engine that sends 101hp and 128 ft/lbs of torque to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual transmission. Performance was pretty acceptable for a vehicle with relatively modest power and torque, aided by the fact that six only needed to shift 2,390 lbs. The seller indicates the car hasn’t run since it was parked, but the engine turns freely. It will probably require a fair serving of TLC to roar back to life, and many perishable items will be questionable after over three decades of inactivity. These aren’t mechanically sophisticated classics, and the most complex task could be rebuilding and correctly tuning the twin Zenith-Stromberg carburetors. An odometer reading of 60,000 original miles is quoted in the listing. However, no mention is made of verifying evidence. There are no interior shots, but the seller reassures us it is in good order. The supplied images confirm it is trimmed in Black vinyl and retains original features like the timber dash. The impression is that a deep clean should have it presenting well.

This 1974 Triumph TR6 looks promising, and its lack of visible rust could be a positive sign. Performing an in-person inspection would be wise because hidden issues could cause the build costs to easily spiral out of control. However, if the problems aren’t severe, revival as a survivor-grade car on a tight budget may be feasible. Driving and relatively tidy examples will sometimes appear for under $15,000, but prices can climb significantly for perfection. Recent successful sales for more than $40,000 provide insight into the potential that could be locked away in this car. Would that be enough to tempt you to roll the dice by buying it sight unseen, or would you take a more cautious approach to ensure you aren’t biting off more than you can chew?