When it came to replacing the elegant but aged Michelotti-styled TR5 ready for a new decade, Triumph took a cost-effective approach.
The 1968-on TR6 was essentially a neat, contemporary facelift of the previous model, performed by German coachbuilder Karmann, which added the German firm’s trademark chopped-off ‘Kamm’ tail and a new squarer front end, along new, flatter panels.
It was largely the same as the TR5 underneath, with a separate chassis and a front-mounted fuel-injected straight-six sending power to the rear wheels through a four-speed gearbox. It managed to look more butch, too, with a more imposing face and wider 5.5-inch wheels.
This one is an original UK-spec RHD car with 150bhp, making it the most desirable of the breed.
It’s a case of less is more inside the TR6, with two seats, a dashboard and some fairly rudimentary switchgear, along with a fabulous retro radio-cassette player that’s much newer than the car, but typical of a unit that would have been fitted in the 1980s.
The carpets and door trims are in good order, as is the wood-finished dash, while the vendor has replaced the original seats with high-back black leather items from a well-regarded Triumph specialist.
He says they are far more comfortable and supportive than the originals, which makes the car more suitable for long-distance touring, but the originals are sold with the car should you want to reinstall them and they’re in very good overall order.
In addition, the vendor (an engineer by trade) has installed a bonnet release system of his own design that is far more efficient than the original set-up. 8CWYwWTIO2XvouMxfvLgQ9xt01uVJglnyP0AX5T8.jpeg1.18 MB
THE EXTERIOR
Jasmine Yellow
Chrome wire wheels
Very good soft-top
Excellent chrome
It’s the colour that’s the most striking thing about the TR6 – Jasmine Yellow, which was only offered during the first two years of the model’s production.
It really suits the car’s squared-off lines and the finish is excellent, despite the car being restored some time ago.
The underside appears solid and has been underseal-protected, while it sits on 60-spoke chrome wire wheels – originally, it would have had 5.5J sports steel wheels should you wish to put it back to standard, but the wires are a period modification and quite suit it.
The 150bhp 2.5 fuel-injected engine fires up on the button and runs beautifully, holding a smooth idle, a steady temperature and good oil pressure.
The transmission is in fine order and engages all gears smoothly, while there’s also an aftermarket sports exhaust system – it sounds great, with a throaty burble at idle and a real bark at higher engine speeds.
In wonderful condition and finished in an incredibly rare colour, this is a brilliant example of the TR6 that has added collector appeal by virtue of being one of the very earliest cars off the line – series production officially began in December 1968 and this one was registered just five months later, as one of the first 1,000 cars completed.
It’s a very lovely car indeed.
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