Now here’s a car that’s alive with possibilities, a 1971 Triumph GT6 “for restoration or driving” (not both?) here on eBay in Crescent Valley, Nevada with a minimum bid of $2,500. No one’s bid yet.
This is the Mark III version of the GT6, introduced in 1970. It is based on the Spitfire Mk III bodyshell. With the 104-horsepower six cylinder engine, the car could reach 112 miles per hour and took 10.1 seconds to reach 60 mph. These cars are not thick on the ground. Wikipedia: “The Mk III never sold in the numbers hoped for by Triumph, and was comprehensively beaten in the marketplace by the MGB.”
The car (particularly the interior) looks like it sat for a good long while, but the seller says it’s running and driving “with all gears working fine”. That’s a huge advantage because you’ll know going in (beyond the rust and decay) what this scrappy six-cylinder Triumph needs.
The owner is upfront about the problems. The car won’t idle, probably because of the twin Stromberg carbs taking a long vacation and need either to be cleaned or rebuilt. It’s unclear the state of the brakes and suspension.
And, as you can see, the car has the typical rust out areas on the driver’s side foot pan and rocker panels, plus some rust on the front-hinged hood. The owner was going to restore it, but as is often said, has too many projects. A clean title is in hand. The seller says the car hasn’t been modified, but those wheels certainly aren’t original. It does look untouched otherwise.
The wood dash shows the results of major water incursion, which explains the weak floor pan. Fortunately, the GT6 is well-catered-to by specialists. eBay has the center dash section for just $50. You can get the rocker panels, too. The seats look like they’d clean up, and the tires are good.
There’s bound to be plenty of hidden rust in this car. Go into it with your eyes open, and it’s a big plus if you can do bodywork yourself. But the fact that it yard drives is a big plus. Ready to roll up your sleeves?
No bids? Bottom got to be falling out on these, as this a smokin’ deal for one. My favorite Triumph. This car had it all. 6 cylinder, hardtop, IRS, hatchback, I’ve never seen one with O/D, but the 6 moves this little car right along anyway. We grew up with these cars, but today, I think people just as soon forget about them with so many other alternatives. In the 70’s, this was as cool and affordable as it got. Of the few that we saw, rust claimed them, so one from the south is imperative. Great find for someone, Jamie?
With Howard on this one. It either is or isn’t. Right guy needs this car. I’d bet 1 out of 5 sports cars of this era had the slotted mag wheels on them. Dealer we ordered our new Z from even asked if we wanted the mags instead of the steel wheels with the ugly hub caps on them.
It has three bids now, with 4 days left it should get more. The big problem is the indeterminate amount of rust and the cars location. These are nice little cars, but the shape of the body makes them look really cramped. When I had one the transmission and the rubber donuts in the rear swing axles were the weak link. Removing the transmission was also difficult to pull since you removed it through the interior.
It should find a good home when the auction is over.
Steve R
I would love to buy this. But it’s not based on the Mk3. Wrong taillights. This is a square tail body, not round tail.
It does have rust, but as a rolling restoration, it would be fun to do. I wish I had done that with my Spitfire so I was driving it today instead having it in pieces waiting for paint.
This will bargain at anything less than $4K.
“Runs and Drives” That’s more than it did when it was new.
It’s Mostly all there but what a mess to clean up. As a rolling restoration would be a fun project. Engine running is a great start and overdrive (switch on the shifter) makes it very comfortable at highway speeds. Looks like the dash has more than just wood issues since the bunch of wires falling out of the driver footwell and the choke cable in an electrical switch location aren’t promising anything but a PO hack attempt. Among the easiest cars to work on – look at the access in the engine compartment. My Spitfire was reliable and fun and way bigger on the inside than its true competition, the Sprite/Midget, not the MGB, which gets compared only from an engine point of view. If it were east coast I’d be all over it.
Good eye, Richard, I didn’t see the O/D on the shift knob. Better yet. I’ve never seen one with O/D. I can’t imagine many came like this.
So long as you are under 5′ 4″ tall….
OD if original is marked by an “O” on the end of the VIN. “LO” means Left hand drive Overdrive. Yes they are rare but unfortunately not “get more money for it” rare. I had one about 8-9 years ago that is now a racer here in RMVR. One of the first things he did was pull the OD and install a regular 4spd.
I’m 6’4″ and with a helmet on in a racing seat fit…barely. While I fit better in my daughter’s 67 B-GT, the GT6 is more fun to throw around a track.
I owned one in 1977, British Racing Green, but looked more like a Forest Green. The funnest car I ever owned to drive, but that said, I almost paid somebody to buy it from me. The clutch was mineral oil based and immediately started leaking after a rebuild. The firewall did not keep the engine heat out at all. This was great in Sausalito during cold or wet months, but hell in the summer, outside of the Bay Area. I once ordered a simple needed bolt for my car. It cost me $70.00 for the bolt from British Leyland and took six months to arrive at the dealership. I still miss my car, but it was like a sexy girl that you continue with, while she causes you a great deal of trouble, because you love to drive her! A love/hate dysfunctional relationship, the car spent most of it’s time in the shop!
I like these. I’ll hafta believe you if U say “more MGBs”, where I lived seemed equal. Yeah these, the afore mentioned, somea da newer wolwos, lil hatches…
and thats comin from a ‘wagon man’ the last 30 yrs or so. U don’t need much but “clear room” and ‘accessability’ have alot to offer. And then the i6 on top of it? I”ll take 2 – this yellow and gimmie a green too, plez!
My stepfather had one of these in dark blue. He ended up selling it after it & I had a couple misadventures together. It was a sharp looking car, but I remember being surprised about how slow it was for a tiny car with a 6 popper. Maybe the carbs weren’t adjusted properly or something.
My uncle had a 4 cylinder Spitfire that was quicker.
A 7/8 scale 240Z with corresponding power and weight differences. These cars handled like nothing this side of a TVR. They were just let down by the British refusal to get suppliers who used modern materials and technology.