Triumph GT6 Coupe MkII

Click Here for Full Screen Image - Click Here to Download Image

The GT6 was originally designed as a four-cylinder tin-top counterpart to the Spitfire, but when Triumph’s development team realised that the coupe was somewhat slower than the roadster, they came up with the obvious solution of fitting the straight-six engine from the 2000 saloon and Vitesse.

In the process, they had unwittingly produced a miniature E-Type Jaguar, as well as a very effective rival to the recently-launched MGB GT. The extra power of the 2.0-litre stuffed into the Spitfire’s chassis soon earned it a reputation for being great in a straight line, but not so good in corners. The MkI’s swing-axle rear suspension ensured that lift-off oversteer was a very real problem, solved with the arrival of the GT6 MkII in late 1968 thanks to a revised rear suspension set up which reversed the wishbone mountings and introduced Retroflex driveshaft couplings.

The MkIII was launched in 1970 receiving the same visual changes as the Spitfire MkIV although there was no significant change under the bonnet. It could still sprint to 60mph in just 10 seconds with a top speed of 112mph, leaving an MGB GT trailing in its wake. Only 41,000 were made in total and with fewer than 1,500 still UK registered today, survivors are increasingly sought after.

The rare GT6 MkII offered here is a well-known club car which was built to fast-road specification by Coventry-based Triumph specialists KD Classics. The objective was to create the ultimate tool to use in competitive events such as the Round Britain Reliability Run in which it completed successfully in 2012.

The engine was upgraded with a 2.5-litre unit from a TR6 which breathes through twin SU HS6 carburettors on adaptor plates fed by a Stag pump, the fuel pressure being controlled by an inline Merlin regulator. The ignition is taken care of by a ‘123’ electronic distributor and it has been fitted with a 6-3-1 exhaust manifold mated to a stainless steel system.

A ten-row Mocal oil cooler and handy spin-on filter are plumbed with braided hoses and a stainless steel catch tank keeps the scrutineers happy. Engine cooling is taken care of by an electric fan and TR7 expansion tank, with side-bonnet louvres for good measure. 

A standard manual/overdrive gearbox transmits the power through the rear axle which has been modified with CV joints from Canley Classics replacing the original Rotoflex items. The rear suspension has lengthened rear wishbones and quality AVO shock absorbers and is Polybushed throughout, the transverse rear spring sitting on nylon ‘spring buttons’.

Up front, 480 lb front springs are controlled by spherical bearing equipped AVO shock absorbers acting on Polybushed wishbones which have been shimmed to achieve 1 degree of negative camber. The standard GT6 steering rack is solidly mounted to the chassis on aluminium mounts providing superb feedback while braided brake hoses ensure that the brake pedal feels solid and confidence inspiring.

MOTd until June 2016, it looks very purposeful in Moon Dust Silver livery and has been further upgraded with partial leather seats and a period MotoLita steering wheel.

This sensibly upgraded ‘fast road’ GT6 has been thoroughly prepared and according to its owner ‘goes like stink’. Widely tipped as a 'good buy' among pundits, this miniature E-Type will not only blow those cobwebs away, it might also pay for its upkeep. What's not to like?