Triumph GT6 MkIII

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Instantly dubbed ‘the poor man’s E-Type’, the wonderful GT6 was styled by Giovanni Michelotti in response to a brief from Triumph to make a GT version of the Spitfire.

Much more than a Spitfire with a hard top, it featured a fastback body that was so aerodynamically efficient it was later copied for the Le Mans Spitfires, and also had the same powerful 2-litre six-cylinder engine as fitted to the Triumph Vitesse. With 105bhp on tap, it could sprint to 60mph in 10 seconds and topped out at 112mph – figures that comfortably trounced the rival MGB.

Launched in 1966, the first cars had the same wayward swing-axle rear suspension as the Spitfire and the Herald but this was ditched in the MkII versions of 1968 for a more conventional reversed lower wishbones set up. The MkIII came out in 1970 with a host of detail improvements which mainly improved crash safety and handling. Only around 41,000 were built in total before production came to an end in 1973, of which just 13,000 were MkIII models and all are increasingly sought after today.

This prime 1973 example has led a charmed life receiving not one, but two comprehensive restorations in its lifetime. Its massive history file includes a Heritage Certificate which shows that it was originally white with black trim and was completed on 31st August 1973 and dispatched from the factory on 1st October of that year. It was fitted with an overdrive and Sundym glass. The original Passport to Service was first stamped by the supplying dealer, Millar Brothers of Leamington Spa, and contains 5-stamps in total.

A letter from a previous owner states that in the 1980s (its first restoration), it was completely stripped and fitted with a galvanized chassis (although it is unclear whether this was a new one or the old one sent away for treatment), a completely new bodyshell and a 2.5-litre engine from a Triumph saloon. No fewer than 29 old MOTs show that it has covered just 26,000 miles since 1980.

By the mid ‘90s its then owner decided to give it another full restoration to get it to the condition that he desired and embarked on a full strip and repaint as well as a whole host of upgrades, bills on file adding up to over £30,000!

He fitted wider wheel arches to accommodate the 6 1/2J Minilite wheels and Goodyear NCT tyres. The galvanized chassis was, of course, found to be excellent and was further wax injected and fitted with Spax adjustable shock absorbers, uprated springs and anti-roll bars. The rubber bushes were replaced with modern nylon and the brakes were upgraded with 4-pot calipers on the front with vented discs and a servo. Goodrich hoses and stainless fuel lines were also fitted.

The 2.5-litre engine was stripped and fitted with a gas-flowed head, TriumphTune camshaft, vernier timing gears and a lightened flywheel. A custom fuel rail was made and fitted with modern injectors (BMW), all mated to an Emerald ECU to control fuel flow. A stainless manifold and twin-exhaust system makes the car sound as one would expect, a Kenlowe fan keeps it nice and cool and a Hi-torque starter makes for confident starting.

It has a D-type gearbox with overdrive and an uprated clutch and a completely new wiring loom was fitted during the rebuild. Inside there are extra gauges, leather upholstery and lashings of walnut veneer. It was then professionally painted in black which remains in excellent condition with just a few minor blemishes.

Purchased by the vendor in 2005 from The Old Coach House Motor Company, it has been thoroughly loved and polished ever since. It has been serviced religiously every year by local garage, Brian Watkins Car Services, who have always queried why the vendor is getting it done as it has only ever covered a handful of miles between MOT certificates, its current MOT expiring on 27th July 2015.

The records show that it had covered 23,000 miles on its original engine and a further 29,000 with the larger 2.5-litre unit, making total of 52,000 miles from new. It is being sold with an original sales brochure, a car cover and ‘car-bra’ which covers the front to avoid stone chips. It even has a complete original tool kit and a secondary, more comprehensive kit which has been assembled by the owner over the last few years.

Now with tax-exempt status, this beautifully presented example, with its lusty engine and subtle upgrades, is only being sold because the vendor is finding it increasingly difficult to use. It now only needs a more agile owner to keep up the polishing regime and give it some serious exercise over the coming summer months.