Unfortunately, the purchaser of this 1973 Triumph TR6 passed away before restoration could even begin. Now it’s being sold by his widow here in our own classifieds. The car is currently located in Bowling Green, Kentucky, and can be yours for $6,200. As the owner of a Carmine Red 1973 TR6, I can appreciate the potential of this car.
The seller isn’t able to tell us much about the car, although they do note that an extra hood (bonnet, for our British readers) comes with the car, but isn’t necessary. It looks like a grille will be needed, however. The car exhibits typical TR6 body rust, which is relatively straightforward to either patch or replace. All four fenders are available new off of factory tooling, but they aren’t inexpensive.
TR6s are simple enough that they are great for the home restorer. As a matter of fact, new floors, a replacement dash, and new brake components all come with the car and are easily installed by anyone that can handle a wrench even a little bit. Also, there are many Triumph clubs around the country that would be happy to help a new owner out. However, there are two specific things to check on this car that could turn it into an expensive parts car rather than a straightforward restoration project. The first is to check out the rear semi-trailing arm mounts on the chassis. If those aren’t solid, it’s a fairly difficult repair, although a competent welder can complete it on the car.
This is a picture of the 2498 cc (152 cubic-inch) inline-six. The seller tells us that the carburetors have been removed for cleaning; it looks like they had been converted from the twin Stromberg CD175s based on the manifold attachments in this picture. You can’t quite see it in this shot, but the second major thing to check on a TR6 is the front crankshaft pulley play. There’s a convenient cross-brace bolted to the chassis that will allow you to lever the harmonic balancer pulley back and forth. Factory clearance is barely visible, but if you get a “clunk” and 1/8″ or move of movement, you can count on the thrust washers at the rear of the crankshaft having dropped out into the oil pan. Although the block and crank surfaces can be repaired by a good machine shop, it’s often a less-expensive fix to replace them with used parts. Either way, again, it won’t be inexpensive.
Believe it or not, those gauges are probably ok to use once they’ve been cleaned, and even if not, used ones are readily available. You can see why the floors were purchased.
One good thing about the TR6 is that with antiquated body-on-frame construction, the sills can be replaced without worrying too much about compromising the structure; a simple system of crossbracing across the cockpit will do.
Replacement panels are available from many vendors, but spots like this can be easily patched with sheet metal. Again, a TR6 is a great car to learn techniques on, and it’s very rewarding once completed. Although 104 horsepower doesn’t seem like much on paper, the engine is quite torquey and when you drive one, you feel like you are much quicker than you actually are. If anyone out there needs TR6 assistance, drop a line in the comments! And check out this car if you want one!
$$ Ooof !
Incredibly useful information, Jamie.
This is what makes BF awesome.
While this TR6 looks like a fairly involved project, it also looks better than many we’ve seen here.
Sure hope someone gives it a great new life.
Hi Jamie, agree with CVPanther. Informative article. You might send the seller a link to it to the seller to help her out.
My mom had a 74 the same color. Nice car. Just this last Christmas when we visited she commented on seeing one in town and how small it looks now.
Hey, CVPanther. You don’t by any chance have a Panther do you?
SMS – you caught me….
I have an old 98 Interceptor and a newer Marquis.
Love ’em both. I just wish they still made them.
It is my desire to always keep a Panther or 2 around as long as I can drive.
I’ve not had anything more reliable and cheap to maintain, American or foreign.
I am with you on that. They are comfortable, rear wheel drive, get good mileage, run forever. The Marauder version was the fastest Ford product at the time I believe. People moved away from sedans like this to SUVs costing twice as much and other than being higher no other major benefits unless you need 4WD.
Tying in this TR6, it is a fun car. Not too many fun cars sold any more. People moved from fun cars to what? Lots of great people mover cars but this has enjoyment, and rust repair written all over it.
Always wanted to take a nice example of one of these, take the boat anchor six out from under the hood, and fit a Buick grand national v-6 in there. Set it behind the front wheels to enhance the road rally balance. Not 1000 hp., but plenty of go, fuel economy, and easy maintenance.
WHY? That 6 cylinder sounds so nice,& will run at
70 all day long,& if maintained,will run forever.
I had a ’74-1/2 TR6,& I really enjoyed it while I had it.
Love the yellow on these cars.
Because we like our 0-60 times to be much better than 8 seconds.
They were soooo much better with the fuel injected specification.
As i recall the fuel injection system gave a lot of trouble,and was replaced by a carb set -up,in the UK.
Say what you want about this car but it’s going to take a little more than a little welding and possible panel replacement to get it back in shape. Been welding cars back together all my life and I see this one as a big challenge. Having worked on several of these over the years I agree on the fuel injection transplant but have modified the original smog carbs to put out decent power. They are really one of the best sports cars the Brits turned out in that era.
not worth the money
Nice write up Jamie. A college friend has owned these off and on for 40 years. He paid $600 for his 72 in 1979. These are bringing money suddenly and IMO, a million times better looking and fun than a buckin Ford Bronco, which bring stupid money for an ugly box on wheels.
The owner lived in bowling green, kentucky !
The land of the corvette and bought this jalopy ?!
Sorry but my friends had these things in the late seventies and they were crap by then !
They never ran well , had electric gremlins , no power
Use to fly by with my 68 camaro ss with monza quad square headlights !
I disagree.Mine ran great,& the only electrical problem was
when I had to have the alternator rebuilt,due to age/wear.
The fuel injection was not on U.S. cars because of emission standards, so they came equipped stromberg carbs for compliance.
The TR6 has a nice low end pull and winds up with a lot of torque through the gears and the rpm range.
I was lucky and found an O.D. to put in mine and it makes a nice difference in final gear.
As for gremlins, most electrical “problems” are simply grounding, which at times can be a bit annoying.
Unfortunately, this 6 needs too many replacement panels and labor to be worth the asking price.
Better examples are can be found.