1976 Triumph TR6

Description

This 1976 Triumph TR6 represents the end of the line for open-headlight British roadsters, and as such they have become highly sought by collectors. With burly 6-cylinder power and a fantastic look, you can expect these to get more expensive in the coming years, so now is the time to buy a good one.

Offered in beautiful Carmine Red, this is a very well-restored roadster that received a high-quality repaint two and a half years ago, along with a fully rebuilt drivetrain. Today it remains a great driver that looks fantastic and makes all those wonderful British sports car sounds that endear them to their fans. Since these were inexpensive cars, even when new, they often suffered at the hands of students and others who didn't care much for maintenance, but this one appears to have spent its life in a dry climate as the tub and floors are in excellent condition. The paint job was nicely done, and despite being frequently driven and enjoyed, it remains handsome and bright, with no real signs of age. The large rubber overriders on the bumpers were removed, which really cleans up the front end, and the chrome is excellent thanks to a trip to the plating shop when the body was being painted. We don't often get TR6s this nice.

While the TR6 is a small car, the interior was heavily revised and is surprisingly spacious. Comfortable tan vinyl seats show little wear, certainly no splits or tears in the covers, while the black carpets offer a bit of contrast. The genuine wood dash is in good original condition and all the Smiths gauges show bright clear markings and beautiful chrome trim rings. Factory knobs and handles remain in place, giving the car an authentic feel, and there is no radio to get in the way of you enjoying the soundtrack of that big six working up front. The wood-handled 4-speed shifter falls easily to hand and moves through the gates easily, making the TR6 one of the more pleasant long-distance touring roadsters. Overhead, there's a revised black convertible top that was replaced when the rest of the car was refreshed. You also get a decent trunk that makes this a great choice for long-distance touring.

The TR6's real appeal lies under the hood: a 2.5-liter inline-six that makes great torque and wonderful sounds. The brawny engine was completely rebuilt using factory parts, including a pair of side-draft carburetors on an aluminum intake manifold. Tidy and well-maintained, the engine bay shows proof of clean living with spotless inner fenders and firewall, and even the battery tray is in fantastic condition; when these cars rust, that's where it starts. You'll note this one also carries its original emissions pump, which is a rare find and shows some commitment to authenticity, and the finishes used throughout are quite correct. The 4-speed manual is a joy to shift, with light action and positive throws that remind you why these cars were so popular when they were new. And while experienced sports car fans might find the TR6's independent rear suspension a little soft, few can argue with its comfortable ride and almost vice-free handling. Power front disc/rear drum brakes deliver plenty of stopping power for the lightweight car, and it wears stylish 15-inch wheels new Kumho radials.

Prices for just about every sort of inexpensive sports car have been rising, and it's increasingly difficult to find fully restored TR6s like this with asking prices below $30k. Call now!