Triumph’s GT6 capitalized on the company’s race wins, in a sneaky sort of way. In 1965, a brace of Spitfires had been altered with fiberglass hardtops; the improved aerodynamics helped the baby Brits compete successfully at Le Mans. These cars were originally roadsters, and all were fitted with four-cylinder motors. But in the wings was a stalled project – a GT coupe. The Spitfire’s four-pot wasn’t powerful enough to handle the heavier coupe body, so a six-cylinder was fitted, and the car was sold as “developed from the race-winning Spitfire”. In fact, the cars are quite different. Hey, it’s the magic of marketing! Here on facebook Marketplace is a 1969 Triumph GT6+ (aka Mark II), with an asking price of $8800 or trade. The car is being sold for health reasons, and it’s located in Tioga, Pennsylvania. Bill Cawley found this tip for us – thanks Bill!
That 1996 cc six is a snappy little thing, making over 100 bhp in 1969 thanks to an improved cylinder head, camshaft, and manifolds. Its zero to sixty time came in at 10 seconds, considerably better than its primary competitor, the four-cylinder MGB GT. Top speed reached 107 mph. The Spitfire gearbox was never stout enough for the GT6’s larger engine, so Triumph’s Vitesse donated its four-speed manual. This car has new tires and new brakes all the way around. Speaking of which, the GT6 received front discs – another refinement over the MGB. But the biggest change was in the car’s rear suspension, dependent on swing axles when the first GT6s arrived in 1966. The new set-up reversed the lower wishbones and added Rotoflex driveshaft couplings for much-improved handling.
This interior is mostly new. I’ve always liked the GT6 instrument panel, made of wood and stuffed full of gauges. The seller notes that the car had rust in its floors which was patched by the previous owner, but without cutting out the damaged metal. So that bears investigation.
By 1969, regulations were dictating design features. The Mark II saw its grille re-designed and the bumper raised. Later cars were given full-length rear bumpers and an even more radical front-end treatment; these delicate rear corner pieces add to the vintage appeal of early GT6s. The paint on this car has its measure of flaws including cracking and a generally dull appearance. That said, this is a running, driving example of a car that’s seen substantial price increases in the last few years. No question the car is a spritely performer and good-looking, but collectors have paid well over $30k for very nice examples. This one is still in the realm of affordability.
Always appreciated these, but the closest to affordable came as 2 Spitfires each in its own time. Clean lines, better mechanicals than the otherTriumphs of the time.
That being said, it’s interesting to note the seller has this listed as a “1969 Jaguar gt6”..
They put jaguar because FB Market Place does not list a Triumph for a make of car
Why not?
The seller, told me he used “Jaguar” to generate interest.
Kijiji and other on line sales forums don’t recognise the extinct British marques, so often MG’s and Triumphs have to be listed with a bit of ingenuity and imagination.
It also makes searching for these cars a bit “interesting “!
If I was in the market for a Triumph I’d sure put my money on this one vs. the TR3 above. Loved the GT6s from the day they came out.
I always loved all of the British sports cars. I’ve probably owned over 100 cars in my lifetime. Everything from Jeeps to Corvettes, but sadly, no Triumphs. I agree with Michelle, if I were buying this car, I’d investigate those floors.
All MGB’s had front disc brakes.
Have had 3 of them and if I had garage space I’ll have my 4th, this one looks like a good one to jump on…
I had one about 30 years ago and loved that snappy little jewel of a 6 but the unforgivable thing with mine was terrible understeer – just did not want to turn in if I was driving it in ‘sporty’ manner. Also much less headroom than the MGBGT I had but otherwise a great little car. This one looks like a deal if the rust isn’t too bad.
Back in 69 I bought a new Gt6+ bought it with overdrive, the door panel does not look right, mine had a handle to open the door from the inside not like shown
those are not 69 Gt6+ doors, handles are wrong which is why the inside handle to open the door is not right also, those are at least 1971 doors . Rear magnetic gas cap is also no wrong, hing should be on the right
Can’t speak to the GT6, but my ’69 Spitfire had very different door handles both inside and out. Even so, this car looks great.
My first car well before my license. One of these and a 68 LeSabre at 14 years old. What a contrasting pair they were.
and I thought I was the only “under driving age” guy to own 2 cars a year before I could get a license. But mine were an Austin Mini Cooper S (paid $25) and an Austin Healey 100.4 (paid $300). Then when I got m,y license and could drive to school and work, I had to buy my 3rd car, a VW Beetle, as a reliable car to make sure I got to work and school when the other 2 wouldn’t cooperate.
Yeah…”patched” floors, wrong doors, wrong gas cap, no badges or side reflectors, cracking paint, etc. Honestly, I think I’d want to bring a magnet to see where possibly copious amounts of filler might be lurking!
The GT6 I owned in the70’s was my first worth collecting car, I was too young to know how or why, hence I drove it in MA winter. The body literally dissolved.
These remain a bucket list item for me. I’ve owned many British cars, but these have eluded me. Tried to talk a high school friend into selling me his… but…no way! Smart kid!
Don’t know about the GT6, but I know TR3 new floor pans are available from E Bay and even Amazon from time to time. As well as the usual sources, Moss, Revington, Rimmer Bros. etc.
Too much dinero, salt belt car. Been 2 weeks, gonna have to drop price. Love these, but at that price keep looking .
The first car I ever bought was a 1969 GT6, around 1980 when I was in high school. I had so much fun in that car. The sweetist little 6 cyl ever. The battery was over the passenger side footwell where most cars have glove boxes. The old school batteries would drip acid. Every one I’ve ever seen has it had a destroyed battery box and holes in the passenger floor. I raided the area foreign car scrapyard until I knew it was back together one last time, with no more replacement transmissions or differentials left. I had Cosmic MK2 wheels, A70s in front, B60’s in back. Apparently even the upgraded trans couldn’t handle the stress from the wider tires. blew through 2 transmissions and 3 differentials, when they were gone I sold the car. Had to order rotoflex couplings from England, lug nuts left handed threads on one side, right on the other. After decades with many great cars, the ’69 and’70 GT6+ is still, by far my favorite.
Had one in Saskatchewan years ago. Walk by it with an ice cream cone and it wouldn’t start. Fun to drive though.