It’s funny how some cars have no real impact on us, while others grab our attention from the moment that we first lay eyes on them. For me, the Triumph TR6 fits into the latter category. I can remember seeing my first example as a teenager, and I know that I liked what I saw. The vehicle’s styling was more hard-edged than its predecessors, and that immediately appealed to me. It seems that I’m not alone on that front because bidding on this 1976 TR6 has been frantic since it was listed for sale here on eBay. Its cause has undoubtedly been helped because it does come with some interesting and rare optional extras. Forty-one bids have been submitted on the little Triumph that is located in Stanfield, North Carolina. This action has pushed the price along to $8,500 in a No Reserve auction.

The first thing to note about this TR6 is that it is a structurally sound and rust-free classic. There is a dusting of surface corrosion on the vehicle’s underside, but that seems to be about it. The floors and frame look solid, while the owner says that the trunk is in a similar state. The British Racing Green paint that graces the Triumph’s panels generally shines well, but it does have some noticeable imperfections. The most obvious of these is on the top of the driver’s side front fender, but I can’t determine what has caused this. The panels also sport a few minor dings and scars, although addressing these would seem to be a straightforward process. The Black soft-top looks pretty serviceable, but there is no cover for it. Locating one of those will fall to the buyer. The trim and chrome are suitable for a driver-quality car, as is the glass. As well as the aggressive body styling, I also like the styled steel wheels and deep trim rings. They add a further touch of aggression to the exterior styling, and these appear to be in good condition.

The owner describes the interior of the Triumph as being in overall good condition. I would class it as serviceable, but it does need some work. The seats look good, but the door trims and carpet both look tired. The finish on the timber veneer dash has also deteriorated, but I believe that this could be restored with a bit of care in a home workshop. A few minor trim items are missing, but several suppliers can provide replacements at affordable prices. A radio/cassette player has been installed in place of the original radio, and the quality of the work isn’t particularly flash. One of this TR6’s greatest attractions is that it has been equipped with air conditioning. My research indicates that this option was limited to cars offered for sale in North America and that it is also a relatively rare feature. This system is complete, although some of the under-hood components are currently sitting in the trunk. It isn’t clear what would be required to get it working, but given the rare nature of the option, it would be worth the cost and effort to return it to an operational state.

Powering the TR6 is a 2,498cc 6-cylinder engine that would be producing 104hp. Those British ponies will find their way to the rear wheels via a 4-speed manual transmission. The original owner chose to equip the Triumph with the optional overdrive feature, which is a bonus from both a practical and potential value perspective. Not only does overdrive make the TR6 a more refined and relaxed open road cruiser, but it adds between 5% and 10% to the vehicle’s overall value. This little British classic is said to be in sound mechanical health. The engine shows healthy oil pressure and has no leaks or other problems. The brakes, clutch, and transmission all operate as they should, and the owner says that it drives nicely. He has treated it to a comprehensive service, including replacing all fluids, plugs, wires, fuel filter, and fuel lines. The owner also claims that the TR6 has a genuine 78,300 miles showing on its odometer, but he doesn’t indicate whether he holds evidence to verify this.

The desirability of the Triumph TR6 is unquestionable, and the level has been rising sharply in recent times. A spotless example can easily achieve a price of $40,000 or more in the current market, while the air conditioning featured in this one should push the potential value even higher. If the bidding stays around its current modest level, that could make this Triumph a bargain buy. This is an auction that might be worth watching closely if a classic British sports car is on your wish list.