We only get one picture in the ad here on craigslist for this 1973 Triumph GT6 Mk. III. The seller doesn’t exactly tell us a lot in the description, either. However, if the rest of the car looks as solid as this picture, it might be a deal anyway! The little coupe is located in Kimberly, Idaho and is priced at $3,500. The seller does tell us that the price is negotiable and that it’s below book value. For that to be the case, it must be running (yes, I’m optimistic to a fault). The seller does tell us it comes with an extra transmission, so perhaps that’s the reason it was taken off the road in the first place.
It’s a shame that the 1973 GT6 was the end of the line, as the “mini E-Type” was a pretty neat little car! I know someone out there must like them (besides me) because I see more and more being restored. Offering more performance than a Spitfire (and most big TRs if we’re being honest), the Spitfire-based GT6 really can be a diamond in the rough in today’s collector car world. Let us know if you go to look at this potential bargain!
As triumphs go that body looks like its in amazing conditions. Rockers, fender lips, drip rails all look very clean.
If the trans is the issue I have pulled mine a few time right through the interior. It took me about 1/2 hour to pull, replace clutch and reinstall. Everything else on these are just as easy to work with. Great first classic car because of low price, parts availability and simplicity.
The seller didn’t even care enough to take the junk oof the car to take a picture. That’s all the info you need to understand how this car has been taken care of. My experience with owners like this is you can bet on likely big problems. Run don’t walk. For $4K there are lovingly maintained ones out there.
The missing hood latch is definitely one of those things that make you go “hmmmm”. This car comes with stories, and I’m betting they aren’t good ones.
The sheetmetal looks great, but something tells me this one is not going to be simple or cheap to get back on the road.
My thoughts too.There are so many limp,lazy& lame people out there.
I got stuffed into a ditch by a GT6 swing axle once. Nice car, though.
Derek, I know what you mean about the swing axles. I had a Spitfire with them and you didn’t want to have to suddenly change your line through a corner. However the ’73 GT6:, as this Wikipedia entry says, “…in 1973 – close to the end of the car’s production life – the rear suspension was changed again, this time for the cheaper (but still effective) “swing-spring” layout fitted to the Spitfire Mk IV. This was a modification of the swing axle rear suspension used on the Herald-derived models, with the transverse leaf spring mounted on a pivot, eliminating roll stiffness at the rear, and thus greatly reducing the jacking effect under cornering loads. To compensate for this loss of roll stiffness, a larger front anti-roll bar was fitted.” This did help to calm some of the jitters; however, Porsche 911’s have a problem when cornering known as trailing throttle oversteer which hasn’t diminished their popularity. :)
BillyT, I think they call that trailing throttle oversteer “drifting” now! In 1969 the Beetles and 911 Porsches had the double CV joints on each side to eliminate axle jacking and rollover. Thus slinging the rear around and using opposite steering lock was the fast way to get around 90° turns. A guy with a Sunbeam Tiger showed me how to do it!😨
Um…. Condition, more pictures? I usually just pass over incomplete listings..
There is alot more about this car in the Classic British Leland page online..
These are amazingly easy cars to work on. Take the hood off and you have the net result of an in car engine stand. Of note most of Idaho does or at least did not when I lived there use salt in the winter for snow and ice. They used industrial grade garnets and in the spring they would wash up into boxes in the sewers and be reused for the next season. With limited rain fall and low humidity the tin worm is not nearly as prevalent as it is in most other places.
The hardest thing about these is the body. That shape is all structural and is important. The engine, trans and the rest are easy to find parts for and not really expensive. They are a fun drive and only the bumper laws stopped them from being imported. Not as fast as a 240Z but in some ways better looking and better built for they did not rust as quickly in my experience.
If you want a father son project this is an excellent one to start with. As with all pre 2000 English cars figure on replacing the wiring harness to start and rebuilding the starter, generator / alternator and most probably the radiator. Do not worry none of this is hard work or even that expensive.
One of the best turn heads for the dollar you can purchase. I wish I had mine back, but being rear ended by some drunk teenagers in a trashed out ford pick-up truck will total one out pretty fast. Luckily when that happen the windshield will pop out and if the doors are pinned you can easily get out. The problem is resisting the urge to kick the crap of of them when you do get out.
Fun car. Raced a 71 Trans am. Side by side through first gear, going for second he started going by by.
Trans Am Specialties’ just advertise a 78 Black and Gold with 4sp on special sale for memorial weekend at $29k.
I’ve seen alot of photos of this Triumph on the Classic British Leland page, great for the price..
just bought this car (less $ than listed), so far looks like a great restoration candidate. Maybe 3sq inches of rust under a thin layer of bondo on the hood.
No rust anywhere else: even under the master cylinder. All the chrome is straight, missing the hood latches. the entire interior is apart, floorpans are clean.
No idea if the engine (everything complete) will turn over let alone run, but this is a solid car that was sold for a price that would have been a good deal 10 yrs ago.
I can probably do a full restoration.. with professional help where needed and still be in it < $20K (about current max value) time will tell.
Congratulations, Greg, and thanks for letting us know! Be sure and post some pictures as you progress!