11 Reasons NOT to buy a Triumph TR6

The latest video in the TR6 explained series. Here we discuss the reasons not to buy a TR6. If you can live with these issues then maybe its the car for you

[PaulBriden]

An issue that also afflicted these car's was this. Customers used to get tappet rattle. They would buy a Haynes manual and adjust the tappets, then shortly after the tappets would rattle again, adjust again, then they would rattle again. What the Haynes manual did not tell people is at the top of the rocker shaft right by the bulk head is a really tiny set screw that used to come out and drop into the sump. With this screw out the oil would would not run along the shaft and the rocker would be running bone dry. Replace the screw, adjust the tappers and Hey Presto.

[obnm]

An interesting video and point of view. Considering my TR6 turned 51 this year, it is a great car. I do not get into it expecting it to be comfortable, I do not care if the clutch is heavy. There is 'no way' I would be interested in replacing it with 'a more modern classic'. By now the issues with fuel pumps etc are well sorted, it is a very reliable car! I take your point about the chassis bend and resulting door gap. They do not need to be rusty for this to occur.
I think if you want a classic sports car that is not stratospherically expensive, sounds great and turns heads where ever you go the Tr is a good choice. Just my point of view!

[sammoj]

This was the most depressing video Ive seen. I think you have completely missed the idea behind owning an older
car and more specifically an English car. You tell me about a single car of the 60’s and 70’s that does not require any attention.
I have owned a 70 TR6, RHD PI since 2016. Ive spent endless hours as you said, working on it, reading the Robert Bentley-TR6 manual, asking question on the forums and tinkering on the car. I’ve loved every minute of it, even times that I thought I was getting anywhere. It’s just part of the territory of owning any old car.
I love the looks, sounds, road feedback and… about this car. Will I buy this car again? Yes.

[vexarts]

I own a tr6 for 10yrs and there's nothing you can say

[randallbutler]

You either love them or you hate them. I love them. The look, the sound, the feel of sitting one foot off the ground. He redeemed himself at the end. He was beginning to sound a bit whiny.
I really wish that no one but me liked them, because I could pick one up cheaper that way.

[discodiana]

I loved the video as I bought a TR6 in April with no overdrive and OEM seats. After I installed a rebuilt differential, after market rear hubs, replaced all 6 U-joints, rebuilt the carbs and had the distributor rebuilt I'm no doubt upside down in the car. I have the same track record with sailboats so I take great pains in not keeping a spreadsheet of costs, not to mention my labor. I have to do all the work myself because the auto repair industry has moved on where I live, with few understanding analog cars with no OBDII to tell them what is wrong. I hate it when I am mid-repair but it is so damned satisfyingly when you are done. I too, would probably do it all again.

[boomerang]

I've owned my 1969 TR6 for almost 34 years. It's a 50+ year old car. If you own one, expect to rebuild absolutely everything at least once. You'll also need to replace the interior. I went with the wool carpeting upgrade through Moss Motors. I also bought replacement seats from Moss, which were also in leather, hot vinyl as it came from the factory. A lot of TR6 owner install Miata seats. I bought the HVDA 5 speed conversion kit which uses a Toyota 5 speed manual transmission. I put triple Weber carb's on the car. Once they're tuned, they're good forever. I added a cooling fan + a heat exchanger for the oil line because I lived in LA at the time and it's very hot during the summer. I bought a replacement fabric top. Vinyl shrinks over time and these cars are owned a long time (obviously). It's a period correct car meaning no power anything. Think about when you're going to brake. Avoid parallel parking like the plague. You might want to replace the OEM windshield with an aftermarket tinted windshield. It's best driven under 65 MPH. Even with a 5 speed transmission, you'll be at 3, 000 RPM. It's a 50+ year old engine. I shift it @ 3, 000 RPM and enjoy the visceral connection with the highway. Any modern car will be faster than this 10.5 second 0 - 60 beast. I added inlet and exhaust manifolds, a spin on oil filter, electric fuel pump and a hotter cam. I also fully ported the heads. The TR6 was detuned for the US market down to 105 HP. With the above I believe I got back up to the 150 HP spec from the factory. It's a beautiful car with timeless Karman styling. I get "thumbs up" from onlookers every time I drive it. Replacement parts are readily available and inexpensive. Don't address a vintage car with today's sensibilities. It was state of the art for the 1960's.

[blaircampbell]

They do have their quirks but the smiles tell it all and I love it. Mine had a frame off, I fixed the heater valve, carbs, replaced all suspension bushings, mostly use 3rd gear around town. It has doubled in value and that labor investment is called love!

[stephenboitoult]

I've been a Triumph man all my life. I've owned dozens from humble 948 Heralds to terrifying 350bhp TR8s, even one TR6. My current daily is a 78 Dolomite Sprint (with a twist! It has a Vauxhall engine) We don't buy Triumphs because we want a perfect car, we know their many flaws and love them anyway. As, I suspect, do you!

[jazzfan]

USA here. I owned my white TR6 when I was roughly 18 years old. All the things you mentioned went in one ear and out of the other. Having that car, at that time of my life, was magic. I'm 69, and I know that having one now wouldn't bring back that particular type of magic, but if it could, I'd throw half of my retirement account at the worst-deal-ever to get another. Best time of my life.

Before the Triumph, I had an MGB in brg. I loved it, and it was a great primer for what was to come. Your summation at the video's end says it all. Regardless of the problems encountered, it's the way cars like this make us feel. Thanks for the ending. Perfect!

[tedwaetford]

You make good points to ensure anyone considering a TR6 goes in with their eyes wide open. I recently bought a TR6, and for serious money. We picked it up and drove it 600 miles in 2 days to get home, it has standard seats, and we found them surprisingly comfortable. Once home I immediately took it off the road to upgrade the suspension, re-wire it, and do a bunch of cosmetic stuff. It was enormous pleasure, because I love working on old cars and bikes, and a TR6 is great because it's easy to work on, and most importantly EVERY spare part is still available for it. I also own a 6 spd 3L BMW Z4 convertible. I don't think I'll ever drive it again, the TR6 in all it's hairy-chested basic glory is SO much more of an experience to drive. And finally, where I live, every single time I take the TR6 out I get people coming up to It brings a smile to everyones face, it's so gorgeous. It's priceless.

[davidhayes]

Informative (in a tongue-in-cheek way). These cars are all about how you make you feel. As a very young kid, I thought that the understated looks of the TR5s and the TR6s were magic. I still feel that way at 60.

[tristanhagerty]

All good points you said there, infact I could probably add another 50 to that list.
We had a 73 sapphire blue that didn’t complete a journey ever for an entire year. Each time it was taken out, a short or long drive it came back either being towed or on the back of an AA van…and that’s not my stupidity, each time was a different issue…and I bought the car restored and inspected by revvington TR, a specialist not to be trusted by me again.
I’ve just installed the rebiult engine back into it after it went bang and will have it driving soon. Just after February though I bought a 75 in french blue, a project that will need finishing, but with a new chassis and rebiult engine someone’s already done the hard bits.
One point about your point on the heater, there is a valve you can turn in the footwell to cut hot air flow into the footwell and divert more to the dash and windscreen, have you tired fiddling with that?
As always a great vid
T

[richardcarter]

Love the TR6. Proper sports car. I have a small collection of classics, the TR6 does more miles than any of them. Perfect for our Dorset lanes. All your points are fair. The pluses for me are the noise, feel and narrow width of the car, plus you can get all the parts. Love em.

[theoriginaldanalogue]

I had a TR6 a few years ago. It was running on twin carbs. It also had a conversion to the 5sp gearbox from a Toyota Supra. Not for the purist but it was a far better unit. I never had a days trouble from it and it was such a great car. Really miss it!

[mediocremike]

I had a white ‘74 in the late 70s. I was living in London at the time. It wasn’t pleasant driving in town but I used to drive up to Lincolnshire on the A1 most weekends and that’s when it came into its own. I had a hard and soft top and the hard top stiffened the car up a lot. Summer driving was like yours. Shake, rattle and roll! My wife to be learned to drive in it and how she managed hill starts with that clutch I don’t know. Traded it for a 3 litre Capri. Another classic.

[duncanbradley]

I had a white one too, but it was written off in an accident. So I have ignored all your reasons and gone out and bought another. I missed mine so much..

[christopherbowen]

TR6. Of all the cars I have driven, only TR6 felt like a REAL car and made me feel like a REAL driver. Inexplicable but true.

[cmscms]

TR6 like a 68-73 Porsche 911. I love the body, hate the mechanicals. I thought about engine swap Miata and its 5 speed into the TR6. but Im stuck with the krap frame and suspension... Is there a can close enough to the TR6 proportions, to do a full body swap?

[mikebills]

This evening I’ve been to look at a TR6 that’s been outside in the sun in southern Spain for a good number of years, but I don’t have a clue what it’s worth ? It all looks good to me, very little rust, door gap equal all the way up, how would I go about getting a rough price of it’s worth ? Thanks