The Triumph GT6 is an affordable E-Type

Lusty six-cylinder engine, gorgeous fastback styling and an exciting driving experience make this a Jaguar E-Type for smaller budgets!

This GT6 has just been reassembled and recommissioned by @CambrianClassicsLtd so we had to use some restraint on the freshly-rebuilt engine. I was still smiling though!

#british #classiccar #onboard

[marknelson]

When I moved to the UK in 1988 I thought I'd try the 'opposition' after coming from MGBs and MGB GTs in Oz. I bought a Mk.III in white with 44, 000 miles. My early morning trips through central London on a Sunday were a blast with the sound of the engine echoing of the office buildings. I really enjoyed that car though personally I found it somewhat cramped after the MGB GT and after a long day at the wheel in summer it became a mobile sauna due to heat soak. Sunroofs are the go with these cars if you can find one. The chap I bought the car off became a great friend and he went out and bought a red Mk.2 on wires with a webasto, as said the sunroof made a difference with heat. We'd journey out together along the M4 (in our respective GT6s) late at night to blast through the Heathrow Tunnel, side by side. The sound of both stainless steel exhausts in the tunnel was music with both of us grinning like Cheshire cats. Aside from it being a bit cramped etc I bought another Mk.III with the 2.5 litre lump from a Triumph saloon. That made a big difference, the car becoming a really long legged touring GT. Now back in Oz, GT6s are quite rare here, though when they come up for sale they are priced very highly, often more than a Stag! But I'll never forget that lovely view down the bonnet of the GT6 and that lusty sound – great cars.

[michaelarchangel]

My old school Physics and Gym teacher at Carmathen Grammar had a mk3 one of these. Hello to Brian Llewelyn, if you're still above ground. I do hope so, what a lovely man.

[MGBetts]

"Hark the Herald axles swing..." 🎵🎶

[edwardwilliammorris]

Undoubtedly the most beautiful car you have ever reviewed . Personally I would much rather have this than the e type . As always a pleasure to come along with you . Cheers

[michaelsanderson]

Having owned a 2500 S with the Laycock - de Normanville o/d there is no need to use the clutch when engaging/disengaging the o/d. However it is advisable to ease off the throttle so as not to strain the clutch within the o/d itself. And yes, around town I found 3rd and 3rd o/d very useful. Wish I still had that car. Mike

[iainmacleod]

As I recall the Vitesse overdrive which was a Laycock de Normanville unit would operate on both third and fourth gears. This gave the possibility of six forward ratios. There are two switches embedded in the top of the gearbox which control the electrical circuit.

[coops]

I do love the sound of the Triumph 6 pot. A former neighbour had a GT6. Every time I heard it fire up it so reminded me of my old Triumph 2000. I miss that car.

[bombakdik]

Ohh yess finally! And I mean this in a very good way. We still have our GT6 MK2 that is family owned. Delivered brand new in the south of France not far from Cannes to my uncle.
Those engines sound lovely and I just completed an overdrive conversion on it. As already stated in the last HubNut Live, it is one of my bucketlist to do’s to take her to the UK to the meeting in September, or later in the future. Also going to the museum in Warwickshire is one of my dreams with the car.

Cheers from Belgium.

[daveowen]

I’ve been waiting for this for years Ian. I had a mk3 as my daily driver for 23 years, drove it all over New Zealand. It was noisy, rattly and loads of fun. I absolutely loved it.

[kevinperryman]

having been with GT6's since 1987 i can tell you i never tire of this car and yes very old school now 50 years on and i think they are having their moment ...never fails to turn peoples heads and any journey does create a draw of people asking questions and wanting to take a picture review

[EuropaSman]

I was taken home from hospital after being born in the back of a 1971 signal red GT6 Mk III two years after the car was made, so have a soft spot for these cars.
I owned a 1973 year GT6 Mk III in emerald green in the late 1990s to around 2002. It was very original and I was only the third owner of a then 33 year old car. I liked the cleaner dials design of the 1973 year model. It had the swing spring set up, overdrive, a brake servo and Sundym glass.
I much preferred the overdrive switch on the gear knob because it reminded me of the ejection seat button in the James Bond DB5 from Goldfinger. The Laycock De Normanville overdrive operates on 3rd & 4th on the GT6. I never used the clutch when engaging/disengaging overdrive because it's a cone clutch system with a single ratio set of epicyclic gears. The overdrive is also fitted with an overrun clutch.

[micheltebraake]

This is the Triumph that is on my list to own one day, just have to save up. Wonderful six-cylinder sound.

[hectorshouse]

In 1980 I had a 1974 Spitfire 1300 in magenta. Loads more fun than I ever expected😀

[Dhira]

Something nice about these old Triumph's they somehow made everything work and drive so well you end up with a big smile on your face.
Another great video and well balanced review

[davefrench]

First time I was in a car at over 100 mph was in a GT6, that one had a tiny back seat and I sat across the car, I’m over 6’

[peterwilding]

Love the sound of a small straight six!

[jdtseventyfour]

I was very lucky to be given yes you read that right actually given a 1971 GT6 mk3 back in 2000. It was in a very sorry state and was residing under a hedge bottom in a chaps back garden. It was a previous neighbours car who had done a runner and not paid his rent. The chap who’s garden it resided in just wanted it out of the way so my brother and I rescued it. Within hours of rescuing it we had it running after cleaning the carbs and ensuring everything turned over. It was even drivable under its own power. The back of the car was full of boxes of bits as the interior was partially dismantled. We later discovered it was fitted with the engine from a 2500 saloon as it had twin SU's rather than Delorto's however it also had a set of Dellorto's complete with the inlet manifold in the back. The front end it a fibreglass reproduction as the original steel bonnet has long gone. In the early days I removed some of the rot to prevent further deterioration and did a bit of rust proofing. As we didn’t have a garage at the time we swapped it for one of my ‘other’ classics that was stored on my uncles farm over 100 miles away (my 1969 Minijem GT mk2 kit car). Sadly life intervened (as it always does) and it stayed in the garage for 18 years at what point my uncle retired from the farm so we had to move it to another garage near my brothers house where it still is. I really should sell it as a project as I just don’t have the time any more plus still have the kit car plus a 32 year old motorbike and many other things that my wife constantly reminds me I don’t have time for. But I loved the GT6 from the first time I laid eye’s on it. I even had a university lecturer who had one in the exact same orange colour. They have the most amazing sounding exhaust that’s a gruff burble at idle but a howl when revved. If they are fitted with the sports exhaust they sound truly amazing. Thanks ever so much for sharing this video that reminds me what mine should look like after owning it for 24 years lol.

[martinrose]

A very nice little car . Any comparison with a e-Type Jag should stop at . 'Both cars have four wheels '

[alansmith]

Lovely car Ian. Loved the bonnet opening like the Herald.
Always liked Triumphs.

[anthonystevens]

I adored the style of the GT6. To me as a kid it had better styling than the MG. My dad had a 948cc Herald so the handling foibles were less of an issue with that engine and my famed fathers feather foot approach to throttle application. Later my brother had a couple of spitfire 1500 convertibles that I remember were so easy to work on as you mention. The MG's were more modern unitary construction but that GT6 style would win me over every time back in the day. I would love one. Many thanks for sharing, this brings back memories.