AutoHunter Spotlight: 1974 Triumph TR6

Featured on AutoHunter, the online auction platform driven by ClassicCars.com, is this 1974 Triumph TR6.

The British roadster is the car that introduced Americans to the entire idea of the sports car. Serviceman returning to the U.S after serving in WWII brought back MGs and other similar cars, and seemingly overnight the entire sports car market exploded. Other companies such as Austin-Healey, Sunbeam, Jaguar, and Triumph quickly started building open two seat cars in order to cash in on the strong U.S. market for these thrilling to drive cars. These types of cars were something quite different from what U.S. automakers were building at the time.

As time went on, other European car companies like Porsche, Fiat, Mercedes, and Alfa Romeo also jumped on the roadster bandwagon building their own improved versions of the open two seat sports car. In the mid-1960s the Japanese joined the fray with Datsun launching their own line of open two seat sports cars, and this is where everything began to shift. That change happened in 1969 when Datsun launched their new sports car: the 240Z. This was a car that offered more sports car for less money that any other car available.

Despite this, the British continued to build traditional open top two seat roadster sports cars, due in part to poor market understanding combined with companies that were undercapitalized and not able to make clean slate products.

What is interesting is that the end of the British roadster era in 1969 introduced the Triumph TR6, which many consider to be the best version of the affordable British roadster.

The TR6 was not a brand new car, but it was a revision of the old TR4A. The TR6 used the chassis of a TR4 with the 2.5 liter inline six from the Triumph TR250. They then had the styling redone by Karmann to modernize the exterior. On the inside of the car it was all traditional British roadster with a three-spoke leather covered steering wheel, a 4-speed manual gearbox, and full instrumentation in a wooden dash. The TR6 would soldier on until 1976 when it was replaced by the TR7.

Our AutoHunter Spotlight car is described as a 1974 Triumph TR6 roadster that received a cosmetic and mechanical restoration under previous ownership more than 10 years ago. Features include a luggage rack, 16-inch Panasport wheels, a roll bar, a Mountney steering wheel, a vintage-look AM/FM radio, and power front disc brakes.

The car is finished in the iconic color of British Racing Green and equipped with a tan canvas convertible top over a tan vinyl interior. It also includes its convertible top boot and a clear title.

The exterior is described as originally finished in French Blue (code 126) but repainted British Racing Green more than a decade ago. Features include chrome bumpers, dual rearview mirrors. I personally like the British Racing Green paint much more than the Triumph French Blue, so for me this is a plus.

The interior has correct pattern tan vinyl bucket seats surrounded by tan vinyl door panels and trim. Features include manual windows and steering, A 140-mph speedometer, a 7,000-rpm tachometer, and gauges for the fuel level, coolant temperature, oil pressure, and voltage are located ahead of the driver in the wood dash. The odometer reads 10,986 miles, but the true mileage on this vehicle is unknown. The selling dealer adds that all lights and gauges are in working order.

Under the hood is the reportedly original 2.5-liter I6 and backed by a restored four-speed manual transmission with overdrive. The optional overdrive is a great thing to have on a TR6 as it makes highway driving easy and not all TR6 cars we so equipped. Engine bay features include a very cool finned aluminum TriumphTune valve cover, dual SU carburetors, and an electronic ignition. The frame also looks to be in excellent shape with no issues or rust problems. You should never buy a TR6 that needs a frame rebuild.

I have driven a number of TR6 cars over the years and I have to say that the performance is more that adequate with the car capable of 9 second 0-60 runs, and the sound of the engine is the essence of a great British engine sound. When you combine that with the disk brakes and independent rear suspension, the TR6 is truly the last and in many ways the greatest of all the small bore British roadsters.

The auction for this 1974 Triumph TR6 ends Monday, January 22, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. (MST)

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and photo gallery