Here is a brief history. Triumph is an English motoring company that has produced many motorcycles and cars that have gone on to become classics. The TR line was Triumph's response to the American Corvette, the German Porsche 911 etc... The predecessors to the TR6 were designed by Italians. The TR6 was designed by a German. Italian sportscars of the time include the Lamborghini Miura and the Ferrari Daytona. These cars are beautiful and they are still regarded to this day as some of the prettiest cars ever built. I can truly appreciate that, but at the same time, I want a man's car. This is where the TR6 comes into play. In a time period where the sportscars were curvy and vivacious (the TR5 has some excellent curves, by the way), the TR6 dared to be a boxy roadster (it came with a hardtop that could transform the car into a coupe). I love that the TR6 defied convention. It also became the best selling of Triumph's TR line up until the TR7 was released.
What about the engine and performance figures? The six-cylinder, fuel-injected engine in the UK version of the TR6 can reach speeds of 120 mph at 150 bhp. The version released in the US was slightly less powerful because the engine was carbureted and it only produced 104 bhp. The UK version was re-tuned in 1973 to produce 124 bhp. This is said to have made the TR6 easier to drive by improving the handling. The TR6 can go 0-60 mph in 8.2 seconds. By today's standard, this car is not incredibly fast, but when it was released in 1969, this road-legal roadster was one of the quickest cars in its class. I have heard that in the US, TR6 owners were laughed at because they had bought an inferior car to the American-made Corvette. I do love the Corvette from the late 60's (Stingray), but it does have several strikes against it. It has a 300 hp V8 that makes the car heavier and thirstier for petrol (gasoline). The handling is not that great as well. To be honest, I think that it boils down to the fact that the US market were not sent any fuel-injected TR6's. America had to deal with the 104 hp carbureted engine. I would be upset too, but I would probably still have the TR6 (it just looks better).
The TR6 could be easily modified into a circuit racer and in the early 70's, the TR6 performed very well on the race track. The windscreen was often removed to reduce weight and improve aerodynamics. The TR6 was also given a boost of power through modifications to the engine. The TR6 also made a name for itself as a dragster and GT touring car. When Triumph sets out to make a sportscar, they make that car as versatile as possible! Triumph's rich racing heritage was certainly preserved by the TR6 through the late 60's and early 70's.
In traditional, British sportscar style, the TR6 is a two-seater roadster. This makes the TR6 slightly impractical and it is by no means a family car. However, it does provide plenty of storage room in the boot (trunk) which is due in part to the extended body-line (an improvement over the other TR models). The interior is not cluttered and this serves as a reminder that you are in a driving machine, not a spaceship. The wooden construction on the dashboard is sturdy and "gives an air of quality." I believe that all of these facts point to the conclusion that the TR6 is the perfect road-trip car.I think that this car is brilliant and I love everything about it. It is quintessentially British. Many may disagree with me, but I believe that it is not only one of the best British cars ever made, but it is one of the best pre-1980 cars ever built. The TR6 is considered highly collectible to this day and it has really stood the test of time. Maybe someday, I will have the great fortune to drive one or perhaps even own one!
A modified TR6 in British Racing Green!
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