British Six Cylinder Classic Sports Cars: MGC Roadster vs. Triumph GT6 vs. 2021 Jaguar F-Type R

Pls. consider producing our next episode via these easy links. Future episodes are funded solely by viewer donations.

In episode 4, Nigel Clark (Practical Classics) and Martin Buckley enjoy pure British six cylinder motoring bliss. That is, until the Jag F-Type shows up...

Special thanks to:

The Bicester Heritage team

Classic and Sports Car magazine

Chris & Charlie Sturgess

Cotswolds Classic Car restorations

ATSpeed for our dyno tuning

Purchase your GT6 high mount brake light (essential safety kit) here:

[rogerbranton]

I'm speaking as a Canadian - so I neither represent Britain nor the US. I'm on my second Jag XJ40 and I LOVE how England viewed an in-line 6. Until much more modern times, the in-line 6 WAS Britain's performance motor. Obviously, the American V8 is a thing to contend with! Just as with music and Television, the Brits seem to just do things their own way and I, for one, just dig it. Before I get too old for such things, I'd love to take a 6 cylinder TVR for a spin - not many of them here in Canada though!

[santosh]

Great to see Martin Buckley! Loved his Classic & Sportscar contributions and especially his adventures with his dad and the Lancias. Wish he does more youtube stuff.

[Tracersport]

I'm very grateful to you for this wonderful video. British roadsters were an utterly indispensable part of my happy youth, growing up in Dallas in the early 70's. I had many different models, including a Midget, a TR-6 and an MGC, among others. No matter if the weather was blazing hot, icy cold or torrentially wet, my top was always down and driving anywhere, anytime was a sweet adventure. Best of all, every girl I ever dated loved riding in those cars and adored me for sharing the fun with them. For me, the driving pleasure that even the humblest roadster provides, has always trumped that of any exotic coupe I've ever driven. In the case of the MGC in particular, one of its great virtues was the remarkable low end torque of that lovely 6 cylinder, which enabled it to easily out-pull many of the hopelessly anemic V8's of that era, whenever traffic lights turned green. The look of astonishment on the face of the other driver who thought they were dragging a lowly MGB was priceless. On the other hand, as you alluded to in your video the car was so nose heavy that it plowed like a John Deere tractor in the turns. Worse still, the pathetic brakes made it an absolute hazard to navigation.But, the exhaust note was glorious. And on the highway, the Normanville de Laycock overdrive made it a pure dream cruiser. Thanks again for this fine remembrance.

[donaldtucker]

I owned a GT6 mk3 and MGB GT simultaneously for about 25 years. Couldn't choose between them then and still can't.

[grahamblake]

I owned a GT6 and loved it and always drove it fast without problem. My friend had a Triumph 2.5 Pi (?) and he could not keep up with me.

[justinneill]

That GT6 is hands down the best looking car of the three. When I was 20 there was one for sale on the local forecourt for £700; I couldn’t take my eyes off it, but it needed some work and the insurance was high so ended up buying a 1973 yellow soft top Spitfire which was also a beauty. Every once in a while, a car manufacturer comes up with a classic masterpiece of design which they are never quite able to match again, and the GT6/Spitfire design is one of them. Triumph were on a roll back then, the Stag was another one, but I prefer the Spitfire/GT6 design even to that.

[Enochthehammer]

Great vid. Currently restoring a GT6 MK2.

[michaelskay]

I owned a 69 Gt6 + which I bought new. I absolutely loved it. It was fun to drive and never disappointed on handling. I could not wait to drive it when I was discharged from the army in 72. 50 years on I still miss it. Thanks for the post, I really enjoyed it.

[tahustvedt]

I love cars from the 60's. That decade has the best looking cars in my opinion. Working on a modern Jaguar is probably a pain compared to working on old cars. My MGB is so simple. I'd love a GT6 but they are rare.

[jamesiverson]

In the day, the move on from the MG and Triumph would have been the Datsun 240Z, which showed both of them the door.

[matra]

My first car when i was in my early 20s was a white GT6 k1 - loved it - sadly my wife at that time did not like it and said its me or the car - tragically i make the wrong choice.. ho humm..

[Classic_Re-creation]

For me the GT6 is about the best looking of the classic British affordable sports cars. I own a spitfire and would love a gt6

[maureenmillard]

I loved my 69 MGCGT, sold it last year, went to an enthusiast who I am sure will enjoy it as well. the bad handling was a myth mine handled just fine.

[chrispratt]

I briefly owned a 73 gt6. It was very rough and didn't have a title. Looking back, I should have kept it as there are ways to aquire paperwork. I thought it was very handsome. I now own a 75 MGB and am starting to wrench on it. My youngest kid is excited with me and likes to be out in the shop with me. I call that a win.

[stephenandjeanette]

I owned a Spitfire and 3 GT6s. Enough said.

[cornishrider]

A welcome return for the channel with this video! Informative escapism, looking forward to the next.

[drivewayshop]

Lovely cars. I see the owner has fitted the GT6 with my high mount 3rd brake light. ;)

[TexRenner]

I love learning the say things like, "...it went straight-on when it saw a corner."

[markcook]

As a Tr-250 owner enjoyed this video. Taking off in mine soon..

[Daniel-lulq]

The GT6 is a phenomenally good looking car, so distinctive...but then again I own a Spitfire!