Tuff Kote Protected! 1976 Triumph TR6

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For all the bad jokes about the dealer selling unsuspecting customers on rust-proofing jobs their new car didn’t need, we see more than a few cars each year pop up with factory rust-proofing that seem to be holding up pretty well because of it. I don’t know if we can draw a clear line here between this 1976 Triumph TR6 and all the areas it isn’t rusty because it was injected with Tuff Kote Dinol undercoating, but it sure is fun to think a product with such a goofy name made a difference in this tired British roadster living to see another day. The TR6 runs and features a sharp color combo of British Racing Green over a Gold interior. Find it here on eBay with bids to $1,525 and no reserve.

Now, I’m not blind – I can see this TR6 has rust issues. But the seller speculates it only has those trouble spots because the undercoating didn’t reach far enough into the affected cavity to keep it from rotting out like all unloved British cars of this era. The Triumph was injected with rustproofing in various locations around the body and frame, and as a result, the seller notes there is no rust in the floors or frame, and as the photos show, the hood panel, trunk floor, and inside the door jambs all look perfect. Yes, the floors are looking a little rough, but it’s still just surface rust at this point (and the same goes for the frame.) Still, there are several areas with rot-through, including the trunk, the panel between the trunk and the body, and the panel between the hood and the windshield.

The seller notes the rocker panels also sport zero rust, and given the prevalence of surface rust in areas like the engine bay, it’s clear this TR6 was kept in an area where it might otherwise be completely rotten were it not for the undercoating that was applied. The seller is located in Florida, but doesn’t specify if that’s where the Triumph has lived. It actually looks like a northern car that was brought to Florida, a plausible scenario when you factor in the prevalence of snowbirds relocating to the Sunshine State from the northeast for the last several decades. The TR6 does still run and drive, but it doesn’t drive very far because the master cylinder for the clutch is missing.

When you look at the TR6 from the side, you realize it looks far worse than it is because of the rough paint and soft top condition. The rust holes are fairly serious, which is likely why this Triumph hasn’t been bid higher at the moment. The fact that so many vulnerable areas are in good shape is encouraging, but there’s still some expensive metalwork to do. The seller notes that in addition to the desirable color combination, the TR6 is also equipped with air conditioning and the original wheel wrench and hammer for the knock-offs. It’s also equipped with a roll bar and accessory fog lamps. I would love to see this one restored with red-line tires and a lowered suspension – would you fix the rust and bring it back to life?

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Comments

  1. Howard A. Howard AMember

    Initial price is right, but you’ll quickly attain “Moss’ Preferred Customer” status with this one. You know, a word of advice here. These always look,,,hmm, not so bad,, in the pictures, but up close, what a nightmare these are. These aftermarket British parts places have absolutely everything,,but it will cost ya’. The Spitfire I looked at looked okay, but when I got there, stuff like frozen seat adjust, doors that don’t close, window regulators broke, outside door handle broke, not one gauge worked, ,,you get the idea. Just go buy one that some poor sap already dealt with those issues, and needs to get out of it.

    Like 8
    • SubGothius

      As usual for all but a scant few wildly desirable and rare models, always buy the very best example you can find and afford, as you’ll never come out ahead restoring a lesser example to the same standard or better.

      Do it for the challenge, or as a labor of love for preservation of the marque/model, as restoration is almost never a money-saving prospect, nevermind money-making.

      Like 2
  2. bobhess bobhessMember

    With every piece of steel under the hood rusted and corrosion on the aluminum parts you do have to wonder just where this car has been. Howard A called it. Not worth the effort.

    Like 5
    • Little_Cars Little_Cars

      I find it unusual to see rust on the TOP of the valve cover, usually saved from such things. Makes me wonder if this car was under water at some point. Even if it is surface rust, the fact that it made its way under the hood tells me storage was iffy during the car’s downtime.

      Like 2
  3. Bluetec320 Bluetec320

    Jerry Lundegaard: Yeah, but I’m sayin’, that TruCoat, you don’t get it and you get oxidization problems. It’ll cost you a heck of lot more’n five hundred–

    Like 5
  4. bill tebbutt

    This is a parts car, nothing more. The worst rot on these is on the rear of the frame, where the trailing arms mount. More often than not, these require a new chassis OR a new rear chassis section welded onto the main chassis.

    There was a company in Toronto that would cut a hole in the floor behind the seats, cut off the rear chassis, and weld a new one in largely through the hole! They did a LOT of these in the day…

    best
    BT

    Like 4
  5. Terrry

    Bottom line..the poor thing rusted everywhere the Tuff-Kote couldn’t get to. And that’s everywhere including the engine.

    Like 1
  6. Lefthandlugnut

    Just Say No. or its a parts car if you like rusty stuff…

    Like 0
  7. Bruce

    This was a car that was very near salt water for a very long time. Even the best Mercedes will rust out under those conditions in a garage or not. I know from experience. I will restore almost anything but this one is sadly in the part car line. I will be a wonderful donor and the rest will be recyclable. Sad to say because I really like TR-6 as a driver.

    Like 2
    • Cobra Steve

      There is no such thing as a “Best Mercedes” these days. The new ones are all junk and tremendous money pits. Having on 10+ in my lifetime, I am so disappointed.

      Like 1
  8. Charles Sawka

    If you take a brand new anything and park it in the open from Daytona to Jacksonville, it will dissolve within 2 years. Poor old TR didn’t stand a chance !

    Like 0
  9. Bluetec320 Bluetec320

    It’s now up to $3850, with 16 shill bids and counting! SMH.

    Like 1
  10. Brian Bray

    I bought an Ohio TR6 not knowing it had rusted in the rear where the trailing arms attached to the frame. Rustproofing wouldn’t have prevented that as water gets inside the frame and it rusts from the inside out.

    I found a TR-6 that had been smacked hard in the front when it was practically new and then stored (wrecked) in a barn for many years. I mated the front 1/2 of my car’s frame with the back half of the wrecked car’s frame. I had a lift so there was no need to cut the floor, etc. My car’s body, paint (pimento red), interior, top and chrome was excellent so the car was great when it was completed. Before purchasing ANY TR-6, be sure to check that area.

    Like 2
  11. t-bone BOB

    Ended: Jun 28, 2021
    Winning bid:US $5,900.00
    [ 54 bids ]

    Item location:Palm Beach Gardens, Florida

    Seller relisted:
    https://www.ebay.com/itm/284352769186?ViewItem=&item=284352769186&vxp=mtr

    Like 0

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