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Triumph TR6

Triumph TR6

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Triumph TR6
Lot number 149
Hammer value £17,000
Description Triumph TR6
Registration PAL 587L
Year 1972
Colour Green
Engine size 2,498 cc
Chassis No. CP773950
Engine No. CP077352HE

Launched in 1968, the TR6 used Karmann consultants to sharpen up the looks of the outgoing TR5, using the same centre section to keep down costs.

A big success, the new car was to be the best selling TR yet, with 94,619 finding customers before it was replaced by the controversial TR7 in 1975. Over 90% were exported leaving just 8,370 for the UK market. Widely regarded as the last of the proper TRs, it was one of the last cars on the market to use a traditional chassis with separate body unit.

Fitted with the 2.5-litre straight-six which produced 150bhp, the 1,130kg TR6 would reach 60mph in 8.5 seconds and top 120mph. Cars destined for the US had carburettors, however UK models had the Lucas fuel injection system and they all came with a 4-speed gearbox with overdrive.

Towards the end of 1972 Triumph updated the range, introducing the CR prefix chassis number models. They got some minor cosmetic changes and detuned engines, the output dropping to 125bhp. Although still delivering a sharp performance, the immediacy and excitement of the earlier full-power cars got rather diluted. They were still plenty fast enough, long legged, sounded fabulous and had a lovely wooden dashboard, making a TR6 of any variety one of the most appealing traditional British sportscars.

This smart mid-1972 model snuck in before the changes took place, being supplied new with the full-house 150bhp motor. Treated to a full body-off rotisserie restoration around ten years ago, a large file of photographs (plus CD) shows the extent and quality of the work that was carried out, bills on file amounting to nearly £30,000.

To highlight just a few details, it was fitted with an aluminium radiator, full stainless steel exhaust including manifold, a new fuel tank, completely rebuilt suspension throughout and a brake upgrade. The instruments were changed to white-faced dials, the odometer being reset to zero.

By 2011 it had covered 3,223 miles since its extensive refurbishment, its then-owner asking Suffolk-based TR specialists Manvers Triumph to convert the cylinder head to accept unleaded fuel. While the engine was partly dismantled, they decided to go the whole hog, fitting a new camshaft and followers, new main bearings and big end shells, the final bill amounting to around £8,000.

Purchased by the vendor in September 2013, the post-restoration mileage had increased to just 6,737 miles when presented for a fresh MOT in June of this year. The vendor reports that the car has always performed faultlessly, although isn’t getting the use it deserves so is being put up for sale.

The only obvious area for attention is on the rear deck just behind the driver’s seat where a small area of paint has lifted. The particularly attractive shade of British Racing Green sets off the cream upholstery and dials to a tee, the car coming with a hood, hood cover and tonneau.

This fine 150bhp example has had the perfect shake-down since its painstaking restoration. Being offered here at a fraction of the costs lavished upon it to date, it now just needs a new owner to reap the rewards of all that sweat and toil.

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