1971 Triumph TR6

This vibrant looking TR6 hails from 1971 but falls within the 1972 model year production batch. Its commission number of CP750240 confirms it as a fuel injected model and the 239th car produced for the 1972 model year. This TR is a UK supplied and specified model first registered in October 1971. This TR6 left the Canley factory in a Mimosa Yellow livery.

This Triumph comes to us from a period of single family ownership dating all the way back to 1978. With three previous keepers at that stage the TR6 was thought to have covered around 40,000 miles or so. The intervening years have witnessed very light usage with the odometer recording just 63,788 miles on the day of our shoot. This equates 500 miles or so a year on average whilst in its current ownership.

The TR6 has benefited from a restoration in the early 2000’s with a colour change from yellow to red registered with the DVLA in 2003. A number of useful mechanical upgrades have been made during current ownership, too. These are aimed to enhance the usability of the TR whilst maintain an impressive level of visual originality.
 

Some initially found the squarer, more modern form of the Karmann redesign a little brutalist compared to its more swooping and curvier predecessor. Time has proved it to be a highly successful make over, however, with the TR6 being almost universally admired for its brutish but characterful styling. 

Our car presents in classic TR6 Signal Red, surely a favourite for the car. Given the Triumph’s earlier restoration and light and empathetic use since the condition remains impressive indeed. The finish is appropriately thickly applied and remains smooth and lustrous throughout. The car’s long, gently curving bonnet and almost as long and flat rear deck have become somewhat of a totem for 1960’s / ‘70’s sports car pomp.

The hood presents in black vinyl together with a trio of acetate rear windows. The whole ensemble looks to be in excellent condition, free from rips or tears and admirably tightly fitting. When the hood is stowed a sturdy looking tubular roll bar is noted just aft of the seats. A black hood cover is also provided to keep everything neat and tidy. The light lenses and cabin glass all appear to be in fine fettle and the panel gaps, a perennial TR Achilles heel, look tight and symmetrical. The familiar TR6 decals in white are present just ahead of the rear light clusters as is the “Triumph Injection” badge on the tail.

This TR rides on an impressive set of 15-inch official Minilite alloy wheels finished in silver. These are in an excellent, unmarked condition with their shiny extremities kept clear of threatening kerbs by the 65-profile tyres. The latter are a matching set of Dunlop Blu Response items in a 195/65 configuration and date stamped from 2015. The brightwork on the TR6 was relatively minimal, by dint of the design modernisation, with the bumpers exhibiting the main chromed accents. These also appear to be in an excellent condition. 
 

The TR’s cabin is awash with no-nonsense, analogue charm. The overall condition is entirely the equal of the car’s interior with a good level of originality on display. The main exception to this rule are the seats which are a more contemporary pair with deep bolsters, headrests and which are finished in a dark, self-patterned fabric. The backs of these fold forward to provide access to the useful rear, carpeted luggage shelf. 

The dashboard fascia is finished in the familiar Triumph, varnished wood veneer and sits between black vinyl top and bottom rolls. A full set of white on black, Smiths instruments are fitted with the big speedometer and tachometer taking pride of place and four smaller, ancillary gauges being centrally placed. A three spoke alloy and leather, chunky Mota-Lita steering wheel is fitted, complete with its Triumph boss. A modern Sony Bluetooth head unit is fitted which feeds Pioneer speakers in the footwells and surface mounted on the rear luggage shelf. Carpets are black and edge bound, and the door cards are black vinyl with chromed furniture.

The boot is a good size and practically shaped. A rubber trimmed removable floor panel conceals the spare wheel and accompanying tool roll and jack. The inner floor panels and trim pieces here all present very well in an area that is so often overlooked in other examples.
 

By this time Triumph’s 2.5 litre, straight six was boasting Lucas derived petrol injection and was in peak output form at a rorty 150bhp before a milder cam was fitted from ’73 onwards. As previously mentioned, this example has been the recipient of many well chosen and subtle mechanical upgrades to further enhance the car’s drivability. These include a high powered electronic ignition and uprated 80 amp alternator. An uprated Bosch fuel pump is fitted with auto-prime and auto inertia shut off functions and a thermostat controlled cooling fan has been added. The switch activated overdrive has an auto drop-out function meaning it only has to be activated via the steering column flip-switch, not deactivated. Underneath the front brakes have been upgraded with vented discs and four pod callipers. The chassis has been reinforced to accommodate a differential, and the half shafts feature constant velocity joints rather than the original slide joints. The suspension has been upgraded with polyurethane bushes to the mounts, a lowered stance and uprated telescopic shocks front and rear. Our consignment team does note a misfire at around 2,500 rpm which may suggest some further fine tuning is required.

Our car’s engine bay presents superbly with plenty of polished metals and alloys greeting the eye. The replacement of key parts seems obvious here with plenty of very clean and recent looking componentry being noted. The inner panels appear straight, clean and very well painted. An updated data plate has been fitted to reflect the revised bodycolour of Signal Red (32).

What can be seen of the underside of the car looks to be equally excellent shape. Many components are nicely finished with black preservatives whilst the underside of the body appears to have been treated to textured undersealed and then painted. 
 

The paperwork archive includes the V5 Registration Document in the name of the owner. This classifies the TR as an Hstoric Vehicle and so MoT exempt and zero rated for road tax in the UK. The Triumph was last MoT’d in 2017 at 63,051 miles with an advisory free pass. Numerous earlier MoTs in hard copy are present providing an audit trail for the TR’s mileage to date.

A Triumph TR6 PI handbook is included as are two key sets. A couple of low value invoices are on hand together with a revised wiring diagram and an instructive list of the modifications wrought on this fine example. Appearing with the photographs of the boot and its contents are a few photographs from the earlier, seemingly extensive and thorough, restoration.
 

The TR6 marks the effective end of a family dynasty starting back with the watershed TR2 in 1953. When H.F.S. Morgan rebutted Sir John Black's takeover overtures in 1950 he inadvertently provided the impetus behind this most illustrious of British sports car lineages. The TR6 stands as the apex predator of the TR food chain, the effete TR7 notwithstanding, and admired, revered and desired as a result.  

This example comes from long-term family ownership of an impressive 47 years which can only bode well as to its condition and history. The earlier restoration has clearly stood this TR in good stead with all aspects of the car presenting very well indeed. A raft of thoughtful modifications had improved the real world drivability further still whilst retaining an impressive level of overall originality. A deeply desirable example which should demand and deserve your attention.

We are happy to offer this car for auction with an estimate in the range of £18,000 - £23,000.

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 ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.