Designed with assistance from the German studio of Wilhelm Karmann in Osnabrück, the TR6 was the penultimate effort in a long line of classic British sports cars made by Standard-Triumph. Its successor, the homely TR7/8, has never really achieved collectible status.
Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (900 x 588 pixels)
Thus, the TR6 was the last of the hairy-chested, body-on-frame Roadsters, with a brawny straight-six up front, preferably to be driven with the top down.
Sadly, many of these purists' cars have been eaten alive by the merciless rust cancer. Others have been "restored" with varying degrees of competence. Fact is, nicely preserved, true California TRs that never needed restoration are highly sought after today. These are the ones enthusiasts and collectors lust for, the cream of the crop.
Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (900 x 620 pixels)
The wonderful 1974 TR6 presented here is a true one-owner California survivor. It never suffered from neglect or corrosion and is as original as one could ever hope for.
Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (900 x 521 pixels)
Built in August of 1974, VIN *CF25265UO* was sold new on 12/3/1974 at BUTTS BUICK on 315 Chapala Street in Santa Barbara, then the Central Coast's leading British Imports dealer, to a Probation Department Officer from Santa Maria, where the car spent the next 34 years. All this is documented by a stack of paperwork that has been neatly filed into sheet protectors, corralled within a thick 3-ring binder.
Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (1000 x 552 pixels)
One of the most comprehensively documented Triumphs you'll ever find, the file contains a plethora of interesting material: beginning with the salesman's calling card, BUTTS' special "car owner companion" folder, the original owner's handbook, including addendum and consumer information brochure, the British Leyland "Passport to Service" maintenance book, the MIC mechanical breakdown policy, the small format California Certificate of Title ("pink slip"), previous registrations, gas card receipts, and even 2 tickets to a 1978 Pirates Game at Three Rivers Stadium.
Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (1000 x 618 pixels)
Last but certainly not least--there are sixty-one (61) service records spanning 34 years, totalling $5,166.80 and intimately informing us not only about the loving care this fabulous TR6 has always received, but also how reliable and outright frugal in its needs it has really been.
Proudly displaying its irreplaceable, original 1974-issue, 6-digit, blue-and-gold California license plates, front and back, as well as its super rare "BUTTS - Santa Barbara" license plate frame, this cherished TR6 has travelled less than 3,000 miles annually, on average, for a mere 99,712 actual miles, irrefutably documented by the meticulously kept maintenance records.
Let's have a closer look now.
|
|
Click on any of the above images for a full-size view
Magnificent undercarriage presents itself in an absolutely rust free state and speaks volumes about the car's Southern California provenance.
Reflecting on the fact that this British gem is 34 years old, we dare to pose the question: can it get any better, any more healthy, any cleaner, or any more original than this (unless you'd keep a car in a vacuum-sealed bubble, perhaps)?
Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (950 x 600 pixels)
Surveying the car's straight, smooth, and 100% rust free coachwork, we marvel at the mirror finish of the Carmine Red (code #82) paintwork, which looks simply too nice to be the original paint, though we can't find any evidence of a repaint. Body gaps between hoods, doors, and fenders are of reference quality; there's no sag, bubble, ding, dent, scrape, scratch, fade, or any other mishap that would cause the enthusiast sleepless nights.
|
|
Click on any of the above images for a full-size view
Engine compartment is as clean as the TR's exterior. Originality abounds. This is a numbers matching Triumph, featuring its factory-installed engine and all the original ancillaries. Surprisingly perhaps, the wiring looks fantastic, the car always runs cool, and there are no oil leaks worth mentioning. The service records reveal that the car's owner religiously adhered to the factory-prescribed schedule of oil changes, tune-ups, and tire purchases. Apart from the usual replacement of consumables, extracurricular work was limited to a valve job at 74,956 miles, and a new clutch and throwout bearing @ 79,042 miles. Most recently, the front ball joints and battery were replaced.
Yes, any TR6 can be a very tough and reliable automobile with a bit of preventative maintenance!
Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (950 x 497 pixels)
The 2.5-liter, six cylinder power plant inhales through dual Stromberg carburetors. It sounds crisp and runs smoothly, like a turbine, with superb oil pressure, cold or hot.
Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (950 x 497 pixels)
This splendid Californian turns heads everywhere and we'd proudly exhibit it at the most prestigious British Car Shows here in the Southland.
We'll inspect the interior next, shall we?
Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (900 x 597 pixels)
The TR6's luxuriously outfitted cockpit is a world apart from the austerity of a TR3 or early TR4, keeping more in line with a Jaguar E-Type or Jensen.
Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (900 x 597 pixels)
A true British Roadster must have a wooden dashboard, and the TR6 is no exception. Nicely preserved wood veneer hosts a full array of SMITHS gauges and, yes, they all work flawlessly! The dealer-installed, period-correct BMCD AM/FM cassette stereo guarantees pleasurable audio, even when traveling topless at speeds well above the double nickel. Black dash top and knee pads are crack free.
Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (900 x 597 pixels)
Close-up shows factory-installed steering wheel to be in amazingly well preserved condition. Column-mounted levers operate overdrive and turn signals.
Note perfect silkscreening of the instrument dials and exquisite wood grain.
Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (900 x 597 pixels)
Triumph's black bucket seats with small head rests display unique, diamond-pattern center sections, are 100% original and as beautifully preserved as the black carpeting, door and side panels: no rips, no tears, no wear!
Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (900 x 579 pixels)
Black convertible top certainly hasn't seen much use and presents itself in "as new" condition.
Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (900 x 606 pixels)
Aside from the black snap-on top boot there's the original, full black tonneau with a zipper down the middle; both covers are fully functional and remain excellently preserved.
Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (900 x 613 pixels)
Trunk lid-mounted, chromed luggage rack is a must-have TR6 option.
Before we take off for our test drive now, let's quickly check out the trunk.
Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (900 x 623 pixels)
As you'd expect by now, the carpet-lined trunk is very clean. Even the trunk light works!
|
|
Click on any of the above images for a full-size view
Original jacking equipment came with the long handle shown on the left. Blue vinyl pouch, properly embossed with the Triumph logo, is still present as well.
Matching spare with MICHELIN Redline tire resides in a separate compartment below a wooden partition. Be assured, you'll find zero corrosion in this critical area as well.
Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (900 x 638 pixels)
Monday, December 29, was a perfect day to exercise this fine TR6. We explored the Ventura hillside in style, the Triumph performing flawlessly.
Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (900 x 635 pixels)
Invigorating is the word that best describes our TR6 experience. The Roadster never missed a beat; it runs like a cheetah on the prowl. Though nominally less powerful than a Big Healey or E-Type, it can easily keep up with the larger cars, simply because its suspension layout is intelligently engineered and the power-to-weight ratio is very favorable, indeed.
Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (900 x 637 pixels)
The strong engine emanates throaty, lusty sounds; the manual transmission shifts smoothly, the disc brakes anchor the car securely, in a straight line, and without any hint of fading.
Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (900 x 597 pixels)
Thanks to the flawlessly working, rare--and extremely desirable--optional Laycock de Normanville electric overdrive, 55mph on the speedo corresponds with just 2,100rpm on the tach, which guarantees very relaxed cruising, indeed!
Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (900 x 611 pixels)
Everything works on this TR, from lights and switches to heater fan and back-up lights. Despite its age, the car definitely is ready to be driven anywhere, even across the Country, if that's where you live.
Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (900 x 603 pixels)
Returning home, we are able to yet again confirm our belief that, pound for pound, Triumph's TR6 is one of the finest, most fun post-war British sports cars. Being the last of the breed, a TR6 in fine fettle is a highly collectible Classic with fantastic appreciation potential, one that can easily serve as a reliable daily driver.
Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (900 x 600 pixels)
To make things even better, the car is smog exempt in California. Reasonably priced spares as well as extremely affordable classic car insurance are readily available.
Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (900 x 600 pixels)
There's but one stumbling block on the way to TR6 heaven: unmolested, fully documented, low-mileage examples are getting very hard to find. All the more reason to watch this one closely; it's one of the last true one-owner, rust free California "Overdrive" TR6s in captivity!
Addendum:
We sold this TR6 in January 2009.
Back to Californiaclassix' Hall of Fame or Home.