1973 Triumph TR6

An original UK-market car – so fuel injected of course – this 1973 Triumph TR6 is also in its original colour; Mimosa Yellow. If you’re wondering how it still looks so good, the reason is – apart from the fastidious ownership of successive keepers – it underwent a thorough restoration in the mid-Nineties. At this time the car was totally dismantled, new panels fitted where needed, the whole car repainted inside and out and its engine, chassis and suspension fully overhauled. Subsequently, the Triumph has only been used sparingly with the present keeper covering what he reckons to be only 1000 (dry) miles over the past ten years.

During that time, the TR6 has been carefully garaged and has been treated to several further upgrades and further refurbishment. These have included adding electronic ignition, the skimming of the head and upgrading the valves for the use of unleaded fuel, and, in the cockpit, the retrimming of the front seats and the refitting of the dashboard veneer. The book-matched replacement was undertaken by an ex-Rolls-Royce specialist.

What it all adds up to is a beautiful-looking, very sound and well-fettled roadster that has been treated to top class care and attention in the potentially more critical years of its life.

That Mimosa Yellow makes a refreshing change from so many red examples. Although you might describe as an ‘older’ restoration, there is nothing in the Triumph’s appearance that could be described as ‘tired’. The paintwork retains all of its vibrancy; the colour deep and consistent with an excellent gloss. There are no polishing swirl marks in the top coat and only a few very small scuffs in the carefully executed finish. What’s more, peering into corners and crevices doesn’t reveal any fading or significantly dirty areas. Door cavities show clean, fresh-looking paint with no grime or rust. Seams between panels (think rear wings and panel behind boot) are similarly good with none of the oft-seen cracking.

The austere lines of the TR6 remain taut – panels and shut lines lining up nicely with consistently narrow gaps and flat surfaces. The only inconsistency in this might be the slightest protrusion of the bottom of the driver’s door at the B-pillar. The thick canvas hood is in excellent shape, retaining all of its colour and showing no rips or frayed stitching. It plastic windows remain clear and firmly stitched into place, and the whole structure raises and lowers smoothly, folding neatly and easily into its recess.

Like the paintwork, the chrome is also in fine fettle. The front bumper was recently replaced and boasts a deep shine, though there is actually little difference between this and other brightwork components, which are of an equally high quality. There are no areas of discolouration and only the smallest blemishes to be found. The boot-mounted luggage rack makes a nice accessory and its wooden slats are also in good condition.

What’s also nice to see is that all the brackets holding bumpers and grills in place are also in equally fine form, as are the rubber mounts to lights and mirrors, and also the windscreen surround. All appear supple and retain a deep black shine.

The TR’s cockpit has a gently lived-in look, with some switches showing the well-thumbed rounding of years of sympathetic use. To be fair, the gear knob has fared well (and its gaiter is clean un-scuffed), and the characterful, wood-rimmed Moto-Lita steering wheel shows no real wear. Look carefully and you’ll see that the dashboard veneer has both a nice sheen and a subtle lacquer – and is book-matched – so not the usual Triumph plank. (Remember, it was done by an ex-Rolls-Royce chap). There is generally no corrosion in screw heads – often a give-away to a skimmed over refresh – in the dashboard nor elsewhere.

Remember also that the seats have recently been recovered and look quite new, apart from one or two very small scuffs to the outer bolster on the driver’s side. The clean carpets too maintain the cabin’s freshness, showing a good pile and colour, as well as neatly trimmed edges.

Door cards are very tidy and may well have been recovered. The door handles and window winders remain firmly mounted, brightly finished, and no watches or fingernails have scuffed the black vinyl behind them. They complement the seats very nicely. Door seals appear quite new, remaining supple and intact around both door cavities.

The present owner also added a full tonneau to go over the passenger seat should you be driving solo. It’s in excellent condition and is a super feature, which you don’t often see and nicely finishes off what is a great space from which to enjoy your B-roads adventures.

The quality and maintained condition of the Triumph is continued throughout the engine bay and under the car. There is a little weathering underneath, commensurate with dry day motoring, but no grazes or curb/pothole-related dings of any concern. Some of the finish has flaked a little on the chin spoiler and there is a small crack in the paint under the rear valance, but everything is very sound – as are the sills too. Inner wings and wheel wells are clean and rust- free and floors appear very solid – likewise in the boot too. There is no sign of water ingress.

The underside of the car appears to be very solid. Chassis rails and cross bracing look strong with only one or two very small traces of surface corrosion on a couple of edges. The suspension; ball joints, track rod ends, springs, mountings etc, looks to be in fine fettle. Nothing is seized up or corroded. The diff and drive shafts look to be in fine form, and the whole underside of the car inspires confidence.

The engine bay is neat and workmanlike with the six-cylinder and its ancillaries looking well taken care of; no oxidation, corrosion or signs of leaks. Cables, ducting and hoses look clean and supple and jubilee clips and retainers hold no surface corrosion. All appear relatively new. There is no accumulated grime in the recesses of the distributor cap and the injection system also looks very tidy.

Nothing appears to have been neglected or that it would resist adjustment in the future. Finally, the paint around the engine bay, including the fire wall and the inner layers of the bonnet is largely pretty clean and retains a bright and consistent finish with no discolouration from corrosion. Very tidy.

The Triumph comes with a large and comprehensive (lever arch) file, which includes MOT certificates, correspondences, a plethora of invoices, a British Motor Industry Heritage Trust Certificate and valuation certificates. It’s also reassuring to see that a lot of the paperwork comes from the second half of the Triumph’s life, and that successive owners have been willing to invest in the car. There are plenty of invoices from the time of the car’s comprehensive restoration, as well as three small albums of photographs cataloguing the work. There are also the bills from the present owner’s time, documenting his round of useful improvements (including that unleaded head and electronic ignition) and interior restoration.

This looks and feels like a ‘right’ car, ticking all the boxes; condition, colour, provenance, service history etc. It’s a great example of a stalwart model from a legendary maker. And with those few tweaks; electronic ignition and the unleaded head, it’s an even better drive on modern roads. Yellow is perhaps a more ‘individual’ colour, but it’s been done very well and we think it really stands out. In achieving that balance between condition and usability, it really doesn’t get a lot better than this. With all this in mind, we expect it to command a value of between £19,000 and £24,000.

Viewing is always encouraged. This particular car is located with the vendor in Aldridge. To arrange an appointment 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, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.