1970 Triumph TR6

A genuine UK-market, right-hand drive Triumph TR6, ‘CYU 34H’ was built in January 1970 and supplied to its first owner by Henlys of London. A bona fide part-finished, barn-find project, it was uncovered in Norfolk a few years ago with only 77,780 miles on the clock.

The seller lives in France near an old colleague who, in addition to being a former engineering officer in the Royal Navy, has more than 15 years of experience restoring TRs.

Which made him the right man to ask about buying a TR6. He showed our seller this one, which was half-finished at the time - and he fell in love on the spot. The seller, as a 12 year old boy in 1970 always hankered for a TR6 so this was a perfect opportunity to own one.

The work was completed in October 2023 but one of the consequences of Brexit means UK residents in France are no longer permitted to drive UK registered vehicles. Re-registering is a complex, drawn out and expensive option and our seller did not want to take away the originality of the vehicle with addition of French plates.

The TR6 was “complete” when it was found, which allowed full use of original parts wherever possible. The restorer specializes in “sympathetic restorations” and tries to use as much of the original car as possible. This makes it a somewhat long-winded process compared to just bolting new bits on as every component has to be individually inspected and then refinished, restored, or replaced as necessary.

He did a cracking job though because it looks resplendent in its new hue of Triumph White (paint code 19) – and the retention of the front and rear chrome bumpers, along with the rest of the exterior chrome, lends the car a slightly lived-in look that allows it to wear its new paint without seeming to try too hard.

The new paint did mean that all of the badges and decals had to be replaced though, as did the majority of the lamp clusters as a result of the change to LEDs. The lamp clusters also have the addition of an ‘artisan’ mesh grille incorporating Triumph Dolomite main/dipped beam lamps though the original grill will be supplied with the sale and easily swapped out if required.

The wheels were changed too but don’t worry because the originals were restored and fitted with new Dunlop tyres should the new owner want to refit the originals.

The whole of the underside has been treated with underseal.

The new alloys are fitted with 195/65R15 Continental Premium Contact tyres and, as we will never get tired of telling you, experience shows that matching high-quality tyres are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly.

The soft-top looks new. Free of rips, tears, and other damage it rises and falls as it should and still has crystal-clear plastic windows.
As for flaws, the gap between the bonnet and the offside front wing is wider than that on the nearside, there are cracks in the paintwork above each rear wing, and the rear bumper has some tarnishing to the chrome finish.

The interior was fully replaced, an involved job that was complicated by the installation of a pair of refurbished Mazda MX5 seats. Chosen for the increased comfort they offer, they look completely at home in the 54-year-old cockpit.

This carefully considered modification looks so good we think their presence is a win/win but if you value originality above all else then the restored and recovered original seats come as part of the deal.

A leather-covered Moto-Lita steering wheel continues the ‘must look AND feel good’ theme, as does the modern but retro-looking radio in the dashboard.

And that wood-veneer dashboard might be new, but it has been fitted with the original switches and instruments; it feels that preservation was the priority unless a more modern replacement could make a suitably compelling case. We like that.

New carpets were also fitted, along with a Tracker.

The (very good) boot contains a spare wire wheel and an indoor car cover. It’s had no need of an outdoor one because the seller didn’t take it out unless the sun was shining, so the 1,000-odd miles he’s racked up were all sunny ones – but then philosophically, isn’t every mile a sunny mile in a freshly restored TR6?

As for faults, some of the wiring under the dashboard could be a bit neater. That’s it.

The engine was replaced with a rebuilt and reconditioned correct type unit that was sourced at the Triumph Inter-Club International weekend in Malvern. It has been mated to the engine during restoration with a Bosch system alongside the original Lucas fuel injection. (the V5 still has the old engine number on it so can easily be updated with the DVLA in due course)

An unleaded cylinder head conversion was also carried out, and a modern 123 electronic ignition assembly fitted. The seller reports that these upgrades, along with the stainless steel twin exhaust system, “give the car a throaty roar” with the ignition system “making it feel like a different car!”

An LED light conversion inside and out helps show the way more clearly at night without being immediately obvious when it’s turned off, and the suspension was upgraded with new Spax, with fully adjustable dampers and springs.

In the week prior to the auctions starting, further work  was undertaken which includes:

A new brake servo

Service to the fuel injectors and fuel distributor pump

Tightened exhaust.

Whilst the car is fully drivable, there is a clunking/knocking noise that has been investigated and has been professionally diagnosed as coming from the diff. The worst case is that this will need a full replacement but this is not a hugely expensive issue and the vendor has lowered the reserve to offset this future cost. 

The engine bay is nicely presented with the engine having been discreetly dressed up with a few baubles like a chrome rocker cover. Neatly labelled HT leads are always a good sign, as is a newly installed plate with the updated colour and trim codes stamped on it. #itsthelittlethings
The underside is finished in Triumph White paint or underseal as appropriate with the odd item like the brake calipers and suspension springs being finished in a contrasting red.
NB: The following original parts will be supplied with the car:
• Steering wheel (very rare)
• Seats (fully restored)
• Steel wheels (fully restored, powdercoated with period Dunlop SP Sport Aqua Jet tyres bought in 2021
• Radiator grille
• Air filter assembly

Despite not needing one, the TR6 has an MoT that’s valid until July 2025.

The recent Vehicle History Check is clear except for the marker for having changed its colour from Signal Red, and the history file includes the handbook along with a certified copy of the factory record from the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust.

An itemized record of the restoration, along with a photo album, is supplied as part of the car’s paperwork. You will note the overall cost of the work far exceeds even our top estimate, further reinforcing the value this example offers the canny enthusiast.

We usually avoid clichés like the plague but if you’re looking for a hairy-chested British sportscar then this TR6 is right up your street.

And, as Rory Sutherland puts it: “Saving is consumerism needlessly postponed”, so if you’ve got between £25,000 and £35,000 sitting in your savings account earning a pitiful rate of interest then why not indulge your inner capitalist and buy the car you’ve always promised yourself?

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays between 10am- 12pm or 2pm-4pm. To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.