• Covered just over 25,000 miles since November 1982
• Excellent history and paperwork file
THE BACKGROUND
Triumph based the GT6’s design on Michelotti’s 1963 design for the Spitfire GT4, which came first in class at the 1965 24 Hours of Le Mans. While they were similar in style, in reality they were two entirely different vehicles. But the association did sales no harm and the GT6 was a success, with more than 30,000 being built between 1966 and 1973.
The design evolved over the years, with the suspension in particular being heavily revised for the Mk2 and Mk3 to improve handling. Further revisions for the Mk3 included significant exterior refinements, a change to improved ‘swing-spring’ rear suspension and a change from vinyl to cloth seats.
This lovely little coupé was first registered in Blackpool by Loxham’s Garages of St Anne’s, on 11th October 1972. It has always been a UK-based car.
In 2011, it was purchased by a new owner who undertook a massive programme of restoration and recommissioning over the next few years. The process is documented in full at: www.mysaffrongt6mk3.blogspot.com
The current owner has owned the vehicle since September of 2020 and has continued with the maintenance programme, keeping the car in very good condition.
Extensive documentation comes with the car. This includes: the current V5, MOT records and certificates going back to the early 80s (which confirm the mileage is genuine) and many receipts from ongoing maintenance and servicing over the years. Also provided is the original GT6 handbook and service passport, which provides details of the car’s initial registration.
Alongside the paperwork, the owner is including an original, official Triumph GT6 Workshop Manual, an original GT6 Parts Catalogue, a step-by-step Workshop Manual in a large folder, a Haynes Owner’s Workshop Manual and a number of period and modern magazine articles he has collected.
Overall, including the online record of the vehicle’s restoration, the car is very well documented.
Contrasting wonderfully with the Saffron paintwork, the interior is trimmed in classic black carpets and vinyl, with black vinyl seats faced with dark grey pinstriped cloth. The current owner has upgraded the standard steering wheel (which also comes with the car) to a beautiful, wood-edged Moto-Lita item, with new Triumph badged boss. It complements the wood veneer dash fascia really well.
The cabin is in very good condition for a vehicle of this age, and has clearly been cared for. All of the switchgear and works well and the chromed handles and window-winders are in good condition. The dash-top and door cards are also in fine condition, with no rips or cracks evident. Some light wear is evident, as should be expected in a vehicle of this age, but overall everything is in a fine state.
A more modern Goodmans Radio/Cassette has been fitted, with Sharp speakers mounted behind the seats. The luggage compartment is in lovely condition too, the carpet looking hardly worn at all, and the removable floor panels also in excellent condition. Underneath there is a full-size spare wire wheel.
We have to mention the brilliant Saffron paintwork first, it’s a stunning period colour and really suits the car. It contrasts really well with the brightwork, which is all in very good condition. There are some age-related marks and some wear-and-tear, but nothing more than you would expect from a classic car that’s been used regularly and genuinely loved.
The panels are straight and well-gapped, with no indications of damage. All of the lights look clear and bright, the badges are in great condition and the bumpers and front splitter look excellent. Traditional white-on-black plates have been added, giving a nice period touch – although a set of early white/yellow plates and optional chrome surrounds come with the car too. Underneath the car looks straight, clean and tidy.
One of the things that really makes the car stand out is the wire wheels that have been added, shod in Toyo Nanoenergy3 tyres. They’re an addition over the original spec, but they suit the car perfectly and are in excellent condition. It also comes with the standard steel wheels and original GT6 hubcaps, fitted with Uniroyal Rallye 680s.
We think the car looks great, striking but original and very straight and clean. Obviously, it’s not a new car, and this should be kept in mind, but it’s certainly in very fine condition for a car that’s nearly 50 years old.
Triumph’s 2-litre straight-six is a great engine, responsible, reliable and easy to work on. Having been for a drive in the car, we can confirm it sounds fantastic, throaty and smooth. It runs very well, pulling strongly and smoothly through the gears. Induction noise from the twin-SU carbs, fitted with K&N filters, is lovely too.
The steering, brakes and suspension elements look in good condition too, and the car rides smoothly and comfortably. It grips well, turns in nicely with no noise from the steering or suspension, and stops well from speed.
If you examine the paperwork, you can see that the car has had thousands spent on maintenance and upkeep in recent years, giving confidence that this is a very mechanically sound vehicle. Some of the recent works undertaken include:
- March 2020 - new engine hoses, front brake pads and rear brake shoes - June 2020 - new ignition coil, HT leads, spark plugs, rotor arm and distributor cap - June 2021 - radiator re-core, new front brake calipers, new braided front brake hoses, new brake master cylinder, new alternator, carburettor service
The late 60s and early 70s really were the heyday of British sports cars, and the GT6 is rapidly becoming a much-loved and sought-after coupé from the period. It’s easy to see why too, it’s a great looking car, and this example is finished in stunning Saffron paintwork that really does make it sing.
Inside it’s a lovely place to sit. Low, with great visibility and the kind of driving environment you just don’t get in modern cars – all wood veneer, chrome and gorgeous analogue dials. Not a digital screen in sight and all the better for it.
It’s a small, throaty, torquey little sports coupé of the kind British manufacturers made so successfully in this period. If you love the physical act of driving, the interaction between man and machine, then this is the perfect kind of car for you. It’s so much more than the “poor man’s E-Type” moniker it’s often been labelled with. More and more people are seeing the GT6 as a truly collectible classic now, and good ones are getting difficult to find. It’s sure to be an appreciating asset.
As a starter classic, it’s also perfect - having already been extensively restored, with all the major jobs having been taken care of in the last few years. It’s a solid, honest vehicle which should provide you with many years of enjoyment if the current level of maintenance is kept up.
We adore this glorious little yellow peril, from the colour and genuine condition, to the noise and the way it drives. To us this GT6 is the perfect 70s coupé package. Give it a try, we reckon you’ll agree.
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1972 Triumph GT6 Mk3
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