The sparkling paint cloaking the exterior of this 1972 Triumph TR6 may cause some to believe it has undergone a restoration. However, the seller claims it is an original survivor and, if true, its condition is mighty impressive. It appears to have no significant cosmetic shortcomings and is said to run and drive well. Therefore, the new owner can immediately slip behind the wheel and indulge in classic motoring pleasure. The seller has listed the TR6 here on eBay in Lebanon, Tennessee. They have received no bids in an auction that opened at $16,500, although there is a BIN of $22,500 for those who view the Triumph as an automotive must-have.
Triumph introduced the TR6 in 1969, with the final cars rolling off the Coventry line in July 1976. Utilizing the TR5’s chassis and underpinnings, the Karmann-designed body was bold and aggressive, earning immediate praise from motoring journalists. Its appearance is accentuated by the deep offset of the wheels. The seller describes this 1972 example as an unrestored survivor, ordered by its first owner in Damson Red. The paint holds a healthy shine, and while there are no close-up shots, I can’t spot any significant cosmetic shortcomings. There is no evidence or mention of rust, and although the Black soft-top isn’t perfect, its overall condition is comfortably acceptable for a survivor-grade classic. The trim is excellent, and the glass is clear.
Some purists will take one look at this Triumph’s engine and question whether it is a genuine survivor. The car appears to feature the correct 2,498cc six-cylinder engine and four-speed manual transmission, though I’m unsure whether the first owner specified the optional overdrive. However, the motor sports different carburetors, which I believe are Weber units, bolted to the factory intake. It is that change that will motivate some to question this car’s survivor credentials. Of course, reversing that change would be easy if the buyer prefers authenticity. The six originally produced 106hp and 133 ft/lbs of torque, providing respectable performance for a classic of this type and age. The seller confirms that this TR6 runs and drives well, making it a turnkey proposition for its new owner. It seems that flying in and driving it home is a realistic option.
The theme of tidy presentation continues with this Triumph’s Black-trimmed interior. There are no glaring faults or problems beyond slight wrinkling in the lower door trims. I believe that careful stretching would eliminate the issue, which could happen at the buyer’s leisure. The seats are free of significant wear, the carpet is clean, and the wooden dash has held up exceptionally well. The only apparent aftermarket addition is the radio/cassette player with door-mounted speakers.
The TR6 remains my personal favorite amongst Triumph’s “TR” range, because I believe that the company hit a sweet spot with the styling. It looks bold and quite aggressive, and its showroom success reflects the fact that others share my sentiment. I am surprised that there has been no auction action, because the TR6 enjoys a strong following in the classic community. Do you believe the price is realistic, or do you have another figure in mind?
FYI. This car is about three miles from my house. The dealer operates out of a warehouse in an industrial area. Mostly deals in British sports cars. I met him once a few years ago, to look at a couple Mustangs he had. Seemed like a reasonable guy. “I don’t know anything about Mustangs, they need to be gone.”
They have a 50% rating on eBay, unfortunately, so car really should be inspected in person or hire someone to inspect.
Always wanted one and never owned one. The BIN price is fair given the condition and if the stated 43K miles are accurate. Even better is that it’s in one of the more desirable color combinations as Triumph had some ugly ones during these years.
One of the major problems with Triumph cars is the placement of the battery right behind the motor. Went on a long trip in my 74 Spitfire in the summer and when I went to check my oil I noticed the battery all swollen up and ready to explode from all the heat from the motor and hot weather. Had to buy a new battery.
Yeah, this is a non-overdrive car. You can clearly see in the detail photos on Ebay that it just has the standard tail-shaft extension on back of transmission, and no control stalk on right side of steering column. Shame, because the overdrive is a very useful option if you’re really going to drive these cars on modern roads. Not unusual though, the majority of US-market cars came without the O/D.
I agree with other commenters that the TR6 is a real sweet-spot in classic car world. OK, I’m biased as a Triumph fan (own a TR4 and a couple of Spitfires) but the Karmann re-style changing just a couple of panels, done on the cheap because Triumph/British Leyland didn’t have a lot of money to totally redevelop a new body shell, worked very well. combines a bit of LBC vintage, cute, with a brute-ish powerful look? it’s aged well, still looks good to me today. These are also pretty quick cars to drive, especially the rest-of-the world 150 bhp fuel injected ones. Yes, things have moved on and today’s minivans are faster 0-60, but a TR6 would keep up perfectly well with modern traffic and on a nice twisty country road – a small open car that close to the ground feels fast enough to enjoy.
This example does look good…Having been through a long, extensive rust repair restoration with my TR4 I can see the value in a straight, rust-free body that requires no metal work and probably no re-paint. It does look reasonably original and complete. Yes, the Weber (“DGV”?) down-draught carbs are not stock, but as noted, these could be swapped back to twin Strombergs if concours originality is important to an owner? That style of Weber carb is not really a performance upgrade over the OEM stromberg but set up properly should function reliably and do the job nicely.
Oh, and speaking of the battery – this car appears to be missing the original battery hold-down….probably want to fix that before driving too far
The TR-6’s are good looking cars, however for me, they were never in my wheelhouse. I preferred the earlier TR-4s and 250s as they appealed to my classic likes. I have been to too many British car shows where the TR-6 section looked like a new car dealership. So many were over restored and they didn’t even come out of the factory like that!. As far as Weber downdraft carbs go….(in my experience) they are great carbs for most cars except for British sportsters. The performance upgrade is not much as compared to SUs and Strombergs on the stock engines. (once again, my opinion only). This looks to be a well-taken-care-of car, however, even these are experiencing less interest as the years go on. Analog cars, as I call them ( classic Brits) don’t appeal to these younger generations. The price is a bit steep for me anyway……….
Comments on the carb swap are correct. Nothing gained with the Weber and in most cases limit high rpm and power.
Best of all, the seller put it on a lift and took photos underneath. Price seems reasonable for a clean, straight, rust-free TR6. Modern cars have their advantages, but none will connect you to the road and machine like a TR6.
I own a 1972 TR6 unrestored car for many years now. Correct this is not an overdrive car. The early TR6 cars used the A-Type overdrive with the on/off switch on the left side of the steering column. I do see what appears to be Weber side draft carburetors which is after market. Also though the engine compartment appears to be original I question the outside of the car as being original paint. Just seems a bit too well preserved. Might be original from BL in 1972 but I would be very surprised. The price is very reasonable at about $16,500. Prices on these cars have fallen off a bit in the last year. One other note: the commission number is missing a digit -> CC7185 on eBay.
IMHO, changing out the factory carbs for something better does not detract from calling it a survivor.
The price of these has been falling over the last five years or so, one sold locally for $12,000 after sitting unsold for months. Problem is, baby boomers are all dying, and they are the main market for these cars. Also, the earlier TR-4 is much prettier. And of course, if you want a fun sports car with British feel to it, it’s much better to buy a Miata and have a vehicle you don’t have to work on all the time.
I had a nice TR-250 that was reliable and I didn’t have to work on it all the time.
Currently in the midst of a major refresh of my ’74 TR6 (just dropped parts off with my machinist this morning)… so I like to see things like this… keeps one’s eyes on the prize. This one appears to be quite nice… with the relatively low reported mileage making it that much more attractive. A few years ago I wouldn’t have blinked at the ask, but I’m not so sure the market is still there. Hope the seller gets it, but the demographic interested in this stuff is quickly aging out… I know my hair is all silver…
“[M]y hair is all silver…”
In the spirit of one who cried because he had no shoes then met a man who had no feet, I’ll respond to your lament with my own: Would that I had hair to turn silver!
Well,
I was not going to comment but I cannot help myself now.I am seller of this vehicle.I never represented the car as a survivor,my term was “never restored”.The car has obviously been cared for as needed.
In regards to Bob_in_Tn,it has been awhile since your visit as this is a plaza of retail stores.Btw-Never had two Mustang cars in stock since I specialize in European Collectibles.
The main reason I am writing is the statements regarding values and marketplace.The market on these cars are STRONG!!!! I can hardly keep them in stock BUT I buy rust free,accident free examples,then vette them out for the next owner.One can buy a TR6 for $6500 or $45000.The sweet spot is $20,000-$35000 for nice,rust free examples.BTW-not everyone wants a Mazda,many still want the oil dripping fuel smelling British Experience.
I always giggle at the layman that wants to reflect on the current collector car market going down.Markets are many layered.I have done this for FIFTY years and the market on our products is as strong as any previous decades.We simply cannot get enough inventory to stay up with the demand of the public.I am confident guys that Kurt Tanner on the West Coast(in the same business) would echo my statements.
If we are going to speak,speak with knowledge and experience.
Thanks for letting us know the market is still there… …not that I have any interest in letting mine go…
I currently own a 1972 TR6 that has never been fully restored. Some of the body panels still have original paint from BL. This is a decent looking car that does not have the overdrive transmission. The early TR6’s had the A-Type OD with the on/off switch on the left side of the steering column (additional stalk). You rarely ever see an early TR6 with an original paint job given the paint on the cars was not the best quality. And yes I agree the prices have come down quite a bit in the last year.
I am dumfounded !! There are many in accurate statements on the post itself as well as comments.I comment with corrections and you immediately deleted my post.
So much for freedom of speech
We didn’t delete your comment Jeff. First time comments always go to moderation. It’s live now and we appreciate the response. Thanks!
Yes, Boomers are aging out. Younger generations don’t know what an experience it is to drive an anolog vehicle. No computer screens, not even cup holders!
The TR experience is all about wind in the hair and two hands firmly on the wheel. What ever the weather is doing out side it is doing the same in your TR’s passenger compartment. It doesn’t really make much of a difference with the top up or down, the end result is about the same.
Driving one is a completely immersed senory event of intense proportions. Feedback from the seat underneath as you stare down the twisty road in front of you, strafing apexes to get it just right. Pushing the limits of input as you stand on the brakes hard only to row through the gears again, shifting by the tone of the motor in your ears not rev limiters.
Smells ! Oil and grease heating up as the machine limbers up, wafts by your nose on the wind. Performance limits yes, however you will not find them until a big smile comes across that old wrinkly face underneath the silver hair!
I feel lucky to be a Boomer. Younger generations will have to find other ways to get their thrills!
👍💪🤠
…or…
“The blokiest bloke’s car”
—James May, Top Gear, S2 episode 5