Calling Howard A.! This 1976 (last production year!) Triumph TR6 seems to be a great project, only needing a little work to be on the road. I’ve had one in this same Russet Brown and I couldn’t change the color quickly enough, but someone must love it! The car is located in Ruffin, North Carolina and is listed for sale here on craigslist for $4,000.
I’m admit I’m more than a little biased here, as I own two TR6’s and have two other cars that use TR6 engines, but I truly believe that the TR6 is the best compromise between a “vintage” car feel and a car that is modern enough that it can be driven regularly. This one looks like it needed some replacement parts on the driver’s side, which is not mentioned in the ad, but it looks like they fit well and apart from the union jack being applied in the wrong place doesn’t scare me much.
The factory hard top is an interesting dichotomy and can bring up to $1,000 if sold separately. It does add a tremendous amount of rigidity (think fewer creaks, groans and rattles) to a TR6, but most folks are buying one of these British convertibles to have the wind in their hair–or what’s left of their hair, in my case–and therefore why have the hardtop? By the way, in case you are wondering, yes, those large rubber protuberances attached to the front and rear bumpers can be removed if you so choose to do so. The quad exhaust tips are not factory, and if it’s the “Monza” system I think it is can be incredibly noisy when traveling.
One important thing to note here in this picture is the second stalk (the first is hiding behind the steering wheel) on the left side of the steering column. This means the car was originally equipped with electrically actuated overdrive, which is a must-have if you want to spend any significant time on the highway with a TR6. It’s hard to tell for sure, but I think the upholstery has been replaced; I don’t see the perforations from the original “Ambla” vinyl. The good thing about this car is that it’s basically solid with very little rust (according to the seller) and that it’s driveable. I’d be checking out crankshaft end float, differential mount condition and semi-trailing arm mounts before purchasing the car, but at this price, if it runs well and those items are OK this is a great buy!
Brown seems to have been a color that a larger proportion of TR6s were finished in than just about any other car I can think of. Never appealed to me, and I can understand why Jamie couldn’t wait to change the color on his brown TR6. This one will need paint anyway, so a color change would be a no brainer.
Not much info or photos in this CL listing, but the seller seems respectful and probably honest, and this car has the factory hard top and OD. Seller doesn’t say what the mileage is or how it runs, but this car could be an OK buy if it checks out.
ONE OF THESE DAYS, ALICE,,,I mean Jamie. I had a fiberglass hardtop on my MGB, and it was an improvement. Still nippy though, but for late fall days, it was great. I agree, brown (and pads) would have to go. I don’t think I’ve ever owned a brown car. Probably wouldn’t take much on this one. If no O/D, on this, I’d hold out for a car with one. As stated, it’s that important.
Howard, it’s got overdrive!
OTOH, It IS Triumph lore that brown ones didn’t rust (as badly). Or am I just thinking of Spitfires?
Funny, this is my favorite color on these.
Same paint, it’s both!
Only the yellow is worse. Sorry Fred and Stuart.
I really wanted one of these in 1976
Just got my first good job….I had it all picked out ..racing green…tan guts..black top….ready to go
Thought it was a pretty cool ride
At the last minute bought a 1970 Olds 442….still have it today
I know it’s a complete 180
But very happy with my decision
My college car was a 75 and I have always wanted to another, just sent this guy an email… It is close and looks to be in my ability range to restore. If it does end up coming my way my goal is attached!
Or maybe bright red with similar stripes and a tan interior…
Good luck, Chris — keep us informed!
I tend to agree with the hard-top comment. In theory they are quite valuable accessories to some people, but for me if the car is a convertible fun car – the hard-top will never go on it. I had a Spitfire with a good factory hard-top and that top sat in the garage the whole time I owned it. Today we have a 380SL with a good factory hard-top and it’s just the same, it’s never been on the car. We live in SC so it is rarely that cold even through the winter.
Having said this, the Spitfire I had used to belong to my big brother before me. He had it when he was just graduated from college and it was his only means of transport so he drove it all year round and in all weathers. He did actually fit the hard-top for the winter months (this was back in the UK). But when the car is a “toy” for fine-weather days only – the hard-top seems superfluous.
This TR6 looks like a fair buy. I’d agree with everyone else, having the OD is a bonus if you really intend to drive the car much. I have the OD on my TR4 and had OD on my old Spitfire, and I can’t imagine having one without the OD now. Or if I did come across one without OD I’d quickly be looking to source the parts to retro-fit.
Russet Brown isn’t my first choice for color either. I guess, like a lot of fashions from the 1970s – it’s “of its time” but just isn’t attractive to us now? It’s not totally awful though. If everything else on the car was in great shape and it just happened to be this color I think I’d probably just live with it. As this car looks like it needs re-paint anyway, the buyer can obviously pick something different.
I had a Mimosa Yellow ’74 -1/2,& hated the colorat first,
but grew to really like it.
It was a well- running “5 foot” one,and hated to part with it,
but had a lot of bills to pay off.I sold it for $7200,a couple of years ago.
I told the seller that these are going to appreciate down the road,so I
guess I was right.
I came close to buying a brown TR6 back in 1984. Later bought a TR4. I sort of associate the TR6 with two colors. Green or brown are my favorite of the factory colors.