Another 10 reasons NOT to buy a Triumph TR6

Following on from the 2022 video 10 reasons not to buy a TR6 comes 2 new videos -
Another 10 reasons NOT to buy a TR6 and 10 great reasons to buy a TR6. Made from your feedback and comments to capture all the benefits and pitfalls of TR6 ownership
2:20 Thrust washers
3:25 Fuel pump
5:10 Driveshafts
6:25 Fuel smell
8:35 Fuel consumption
10:15 Trailing arms
11:40 Door gaps
13:00 The driveshaft 'Clunk'
14:07 The cost of ownership
15:20 Driver feel
16:33 Summary

[denisdavidson]

I've owned my 1969 Pi car for 51 years it's done 77, 000 miles. It's never been restored. It cost £1, 175.00 in 1972. I have replaced the Thrust washers after bashing them up after doing a Sprint meeting in 1975, but it's a straight forward job to drop the sump and the undo the end cap, poke out the old ones with a cable tie and fit a pair of superior Bronze ones. The trick to keeping them in good condition is not to be rough engaging the clutch, and not holding the clutch down longer than is necessary! Drive shafts, remember to grease the UJ's. I've only recently fitted a pair of heavy duty ones. No smell of fuel in my trunk, all the fuel lines and rubber pipes are original Triumph ones and the I still have the original Lucas pump, which was been serviced once and had the Coiling Coil fitted back in 1972. I've never noticed cavitation or even know what it is! My trailing arms are original and have never needed any attention. I use Shell V Power fuel, and have never had the cylinder he'd modified for unleaded and it doesn't ever Ping (or is it Pink?) Cost of fuel is irrelevant, I once got 31 mpg on a long journey, fuel costs what it costs! Like all old cars it's all down to doing the maintenance, which is what Classic cars are all about.

[paularnold]

Mechanical oil sending unit. I had a 74 . Rescued it from a back yard. Targa top and a mess. Painted it black. New black interior, padded roll bar, Hurst shifter. Louvered hood, grant steering wheel, chrome bullet mirrors, panasport wheels borolos exhaust, chrome light grills, red ralley stripe, twin electric rear antenna, custom big speakers in back of interior, front badges, fog lights. It was bad ass. Some one tee boned me and split the car in half. He had suspended license or insurance. Totaled. Life is good.

[michaellawrence]

Had a 1974 for 11 years in North America never drove it in the winter season "salted roads" ! After not needing nor wanting to go over 80mph often did removed the air dam which did keep the front end from floating at and above that speed but often the dam bottomed out upon too steep inclines or descent found with some parking lots or drive ways. One quite noticeable improvement both to the ride and handling was I stiffened the body by replacing all those production cost saving screws fasteners used on all four fenders with machined thread fasteners with each bolt having two flat washers and a lock washer also placing a firm rubber gasket cut from old motorcycles tubes between the two surfaces being the fender and the inner chassis. Mint ! made this car far better feeling and sound denting than what it was just off the show room floor. Thanks for your presentation !

[johndavey]

Spot on diagnosis ! The moral of the story is buy the best you can and check it's history . I'm restoring a very early 6 which l bought and brought down from London to Devon in 2012 on the hottest day of the year with an apparent leaking fuel tank . After running out of fuel just as l reached the fuel station and knowing you should NEVER run out of fuel . I walked to the station, got a jerry can, bunged in a gallon and knowing there was no way it would start, resigned myself to paying for breakdown recovery but out of desparation turned the key purred into life ! Down to the pump, brimmed it to the top and it drove from just outside London down to Teignmouth and it didn't miss a beat ! But since then it's been an absolute bas***d I may get it finished by 2025 if it doesn't finish me first ! Thanks for sharing .

[krism]

I’ve been watching these videos as I’ve just become the owner of a stunning TR5 today and there’s very little out there on the TR5 specifically. Plenty of useful info in here though, cheers!

[sundaygolfer]

I bought the first 1969 Triumph TR6 in Virginia—and to put it kindly, it was a total piece of junk. The front suspension collapsed and had to be re-welded. I rebuilt the transmission, the differential, and every gauge. The alternator, windshield wiper motor, and rear shocks all failed. I replaced every U-joint—twice—and even used a hand pump to lube them so I wouldn’t blow out the seals. Blown head gasket? Of course. There wasn’t a single part on that damn thing that didn’t fail—usually more than once.

In 1973, I bought my uncle’s 1968 Porsche 911 for $2, 500. It was love at first drive. No problems. No repairs. After that nightmare TR6, the 911 was a revelation. I went on to own six more 911s up to 1989. The only issue I ever had was a small leak in an Aeroquip oil return line. I took it to a local industrial supply shop—they replaced the hose and fittings for about $50.

That TR6 tried its best to bankrupt me. The 911s? They saved my sanity.

[trickydicky]

The fact that in less than 3 mins, your video revealed that you owned a hydraulic lift, told me all I needed to know.

[darrenfechner]

Thanks for the info Ill be checked those items on my TR6

[mayflowerfilm]

That was a good, nice and straight video. Thanks and well done! Advice: use a tie clip microphone next time when driving.

[johndurban]

I love the honest and balanced perspective. Thank you for posting.

[racketmanu]

The fuel lines were NOT coiled around the pump as standard! That was a common hack to try to cool the damn pump, which used to seize when it got too hot. I spent a few times sitting beside the road while that pump cooled down. The injection metering system itself was trouble free (apparently the secret was to drive them hard!) . I'd still own one again in a heartbeat, they have ten times the charisma of the MGB.

[rhettcorcoran]

No pins in eyes or naughty words here, very informative and factually correct.

[EdMulligan-hk]

Too late! Waiting for my 6 to be ready for pick-up and hoping that mine is an exception to your opinion.
I'll give a detailed response once I have it.

[EamonnSeoigh]

I’d like to see a vid on the TR 5 and TR 4 cars. There was something about those cars that made them more interesting.

[acegikmoii]

Informative video, thanks! Really like the way you used different camera views to segment information and create a dynamic. I notice panning is jittery - this is could be because you're using a low shutter speed. So, just wanted to say nice editing work!

[Brutaga]

I loved my TR6 and I have often thought of buying another one. Currently I now own a BMW Z4 and quite frankly having watched your video, I will definitely stay with my Z4.

[rudyrivera]

I bought a brand new TR6 in 1971. Great looking car for $3800. I didn't keep it long enough to have problems { baby came along}. I lived in Los Angeles and never had issues with some one trying to steal it (convertible top). Those were the days.

[janhanchenmichelsen]

Well, ten reasons for not buying what is really an almost 70 year old car design. Similar lists can be made for ANY old car. Lovely TR6, BTW. Even if I do prefer the TR4/TR5 looks (sorry abut that!)

[andrewrfpi]

My thrust washer is pinned, aka Racetorations mod, so even harder to change! But still the best british sports car ever made! had it now since 1983.

[Brutaga]

Loved my TR6 … but I love my BMW Z4 more

BTW, that is a beautifully sorted TR6