Triumph TR6
Following a body restoration just over a decade ago, this original UK market TR6 is holding up extremely well, says Russ Smith
With so many repatriated export Triumphs about, there’s always interest in original UK cars. This is one of the later ‘CR’ chassis code models with the slightly lower power output that allegedly makes them more refined. The extensive history file contains plenty of photos and bills for a body restoration just over 10 years ago. Since then the car has said to only have been used in summer months.
All that is borne out by how the car looks today: nice panel fit, with a paint finish that is obviously not in the first flush of youth but is still good and even across the car, with no dings and, more importantly, no rust bubbles popping up anywhere.
The chrome is less good, though far from bad. The front bumper is scratched in places and has a small dink in the centre; the rear has been polished through the plating at one end. There are a couple of pits in the door handles, but the rest is OK, including the shiny twin exhaust tips. It wears the right reflective numberplates, but a black and silver set is included.
The tyres are matching Michelin Energy 195/70x15s with plenty of tread, although the date stamps say they’re around 10 years old, so they should be replaced fairly soon. They are mounted on well-painted steel wheels with unmarked trims, although the TR6 badges on the centre caps are faded.
Under the bonnet there’s plenty of evidence of recent work, with some freshlooking pipes and a newish radiator, alternator and Lumenition ignition module. The ‘high output’ HT leads look pretty new as well. Oil is clear and up to level. In places the engine bay could use a bit of detailing work if you plan on showing it off anywhere, but this car feels like more of a driver and on that score it has a recent Lucas fuel injection pump and alloy rather than rubber steering rack mounts.
The interior is largely very good, with new sill kick plates, black leather seats that barely look sat on and doorcards in similarly good condition, all adding to the impression that this TR has had plenty spent on its upkeep over the years. There’s also a modernish Sony CD stereo unit and a small diameter leather-rimmed Motolita wheel. All we could fault was some deterioration to the dashboard lacquer in places and a small split in the dash-top vinyl above the glovebox.
Unsurprisingly the car drives very well with no flaws in any area – even the overdrive kicks in and out instantly. Oil pressure holds at a decent 70psi above 2500rpm and even on a hot day the temperature gauge never reached halfway.
This is a nice car in the kind of condition that would allow you to enjoy it properly without feeling too precious. Refreshingly, it has been priced accordingly, which allows room to spend a few quid on improving some cosmetics.