Disclosure: This site may receive compensation from some link clicks and purchases.
We do like the Triumph GT6’s styling and inline six power. There were 12,066 units produced in the short two year run and this 1970 example is listed here on craigslist Columbus, Ohio for $3,000.
The owner says the car needs TLC.
The owner isn’t sure of the mileage.
There is no mention of the history of ownership or if the car runs. There appears to be maybe 2 or 3 wire wheels on the car. There isn’t an image with the bonnet up so we don’t know if the engine is even there. A phone number is provided with the ad so you can quickly find out if this is good buy or not.
Motor-on,
Robert
Always did like these, too far away from me to consider but depending on the answer to the questions mentioned this could be a good deal. I don’t see any rust so that is a good sign. If I were closer I would really want to take a look.
My cousin had one of these
Crashed it a few times and always got it going again only to lose his license by crashing it again
To much fun for him
…just to be clear, those production figures you quote refer to the Mk II variant only. There were over 30,000 GT6s produced, Mk I, MK II and Mk III between 1966 and 1973.
They really are quite neat little cars. Not terrifically fast, but nice smooth six-cylinder, slightly more upmarket trim than the Spitfires and cool Michelloti styling. They were sometimes described as a poor man’s E-type coupe which was probably meant to be a slightly mocking comment – but actually has some of truth (not performance wise but styling wise). I think the earlier ones look better, more vintage looking, but the later ones had better sorted rear suspension and slightly improved power. Overdrive is a great option on these too. I can’t see from the photos if this car has it or not?
My only reservation, living in the South is that these cars get very hot and stuffy inside and never had (factory fitted) A/C so would have to be a winter season car for me. I prefer the full convertible style of the Spitfire for sunny days. Quite a few people have built “Spit 6” hybrids using the Spitfire convertible body on a GT6 base to get a “convertible GT6”. As the cars share so many components it is a relatively easy project.
Grab it! These GT6+/Mk 2 cars are the best with the rotoflex rear suspension (better than the Mk1 and Mk 3.) Very easy to work on, cheap parts, and tons of fun to drive. Port the head, put in cam, headers, Webers, a J type overdrive, thicker sway bars and it is far more bang for your buck than a 1970 911 or an E-type. It uses a Spitfire diff so if you drive it hard with wider tires, be prepared to replace the diff occasionally.
I love these things too. I disagree that the open Spit is more desireable though, since these are much tighter, aerodynamic and almost safe. They feel a bit on the front-heavy side to drive, much like the Healy 3000, but are a real blast if you aren’t trying to outrun a Porsche Super 90 in the S’s!
I have been casually considering one of these or a MGB GT.
I’ve been advised that anyone over 5’6″ NEEDS to try one on for size as they may not fit.
Any first hand thoughts on that?
I bought a ’68 GT6 new (My first new car!), I am 6′ 1″ and at that time about 180 lb (A tad more now!) and fit fine.
Thanks!
CL still coming up in Chinese. duh!
When I had my MGB in the 70’s and 80’s, a friend of mine had a GT-6. In a drag race, we were dead even. My MG tended to be a little better in the turns, as the heavy 6 cylinder caused some understeer, but it sure sounded nice. I see this car has wires only on the rear axle, which tells me, the rear axle may have been changed at some point, as wires and disc wheels use different hubs, at least on my MGB. Cool car, but a little cramped, and tall people may have a problem. Not a big fan of Spitfires, and would probably still go with a TR-6. I think this car needs a little more than TLC.
Howard, you’re correct on the B with different axles, but the Spits and TR’s use bolt-on hubs for the wire wheels. As a matter of fact, if the front wheels are held on using the shorter wire wheel studs, I’d be a little leery of cornering too quickly…
Just look at them. They are beautiful. I love the styling. I drove one for years and it was a total blast to drive. My only complaint is that I would cook my feet while driving. Never had to worry about it being cold in the car on a winter’s day. I used it as a daily driver and if you didn’t mind tuning the carbs during the change of seasons or knowing that when it rained assorted car lights would go out (ah.. Lucas electronics, why the Brits drink warm beer) you were good to go. It was having a cool car that no one else drove for a reasonable price. And how great was it to be able to pull the bonnet up, sit on the tire and be able to adjust the strombergs on a beautiful day. My husband made me sell it because of all the rust but I miss it to this day.
My brother had one, drove it to work Mon-Fri. Worked on it Sat-Sun.