1969 Triumph TR-6

Convertible

6 - Cyl.

Manual

cc30519l

Clear

Gasoline

I am selling my 1969 Triumph TR6 with 28k original miles, and I know its 42 year history in entirety. My TR6 was originally purchased in San Antonio, TX by a Colonel in the US military. His "base pass" was still on the passenger side window when I received the car in 2005, so I can verify this information. The Colonel drove the car for just over two years until he was bumped in the rear corner. He decided that instead of repairing the rear fender that was damaged in the event that he would rather buy a new TR6 using the money he received from selling the car and from the insurance company. It was at this time in 1971 that the TR6 was sold by the Colonel to my father's friend who also lived in San Antonio, TX. My father's friend was a high school teacher and British car hobbyist. A very short time after purchasing the TR6, my father was told the exciting news of his friend buying a TR6, which gave way to another change in ownership. My father traded an Austin-Healey for the TR6, because the Triumph performance is immensely superior to that of the sluggish Healey. The year was still 1971. My father, who already owned a TR6, did not have an immediate need to repair the rear fender, so he parked the car in an enclosed eight car garage. Shortly after, life happened, and the car stayed in that garage until 1993 when my father and I decided to restore the car. When we removed the TR6 from the garage that it had been stored in since 1971, it had 17k miles on the odometer. The first step in the restoration was replacing, not repairing, the damaged fender with another good fender from a local donor car. Then the entire body and sub assembly were removed from the chassis as one unit. To do this requires about six people, so you must be on good terms with your neighbors. While the body was off of the chassis it was stripped to bare metal and repainted British Racing Green. While the chassis was free of the body assembly some general work was completed on the drive train, such as carburetor rebuilds, cooling system flush, brake system flush, &c. The drive train was fully operating prior to reattaching the body assembly. The Triumph had such low original mileage when the restoration began that very little work was required on the drive train. The engine did not require an overhaul. The sub assemblies did not require paint. The original wiring harness was fully intact. The only work required on the drive train was to clean any systems that would seize without use, such as lacquered carburetors. The body assembly was reattached to the drive train completely painted. All chrome items were cleaned and reinstalled on to the body. My TR6 does have the OEM optional chrome luggage rack. Next, the windshield and frame were installed. The original windshield was chipped, so another windshield and frame were taken from a local donor car. With the windshield in place the interior was completed. All of the gauges are original to this car, and they all work properly. The wood grain dash is the original dash in this car. The center console is also original to this car. All of the interior panels are original in this car. The seats are also original, and they have never been recovered. The only items in the interior that are not original to this car are the steering wheel and the radio. The steering wheel was replaced, because the original wheel had dried out. The new steering wheel is actually thicker than the OEM wheel, and it is easier on your hands. The radio was replaced, because the original radio was only AM and I prefer to listen to FM. After the interior, the trunk liner was reinstalled, which is also original to the car. The original tires were dried, so the wheels were repainted and new OEM red line Michelin tires were mounted. Most TR6s do not have the correct red line Michelin tires mounted. Red line Michelin tires have a specific width, so after market tires typically cause fender rub during turns. The restoration was completed in 1995, and the entire project spanned about one and a half years. With the restoration completed, the car was only driven to Triumph club events, such as rallies and benefit shows. After the restoration, my dad replaced the distributor with a new OEM distributor, because the original distributor was the double vacuum advance type, which was known to have problems. I purchased the TR6 from my father in 2005, which means I am the fourth owner. In 2006, I replaced the gas tank and all of the fuel lines, and I added a spin on oil filter adapter. If you have changed the oil on a British car without one of these then you know how nice a spin on oil filter is. In 2009 I replaced the fuel pump with an OEM style fuel pump. In 2010 I replaced the water pump with an OEM style water pump, and I completed a general tune up i.e. new spark plugs, points, cap, wires, &c. This TR6 runs great. My wife and I have taken it on a few small road trips within Texas. The only time my TR6 has ever been out of Texas was when it was being transported here from England, so that means this car does not have any rust. This TR6 has the original floor boards, trunk boards, bulk head, and frame rails. When this TR6 was restored repairs for rust damage were not necessary. You want to buy a vintage car from a place that has rattle snakes and scorpions, which means Texas or Arizona. This TR6 is very solid. The front bumper has a slight tweak from when I had the car towed back to my house when the fuel pump broke. The chrome on the passenger side rear bumper section has started to peel slightly. When I removed the car from winter storage this month, I noticed that the clutch is not operating correctly. The car is still in drivable condition, but the clutch may need attention if it does not clear up with use. If I was a school teacher, I would grade my TR6 as a B+, because it is very original, runs very well, has a strong known rust free history, and has a very good appearance when driven. However, my TR6 is not a show winner. If you are interested in winning the next TR6 Concourse de Elegance, you will need to spend a minimum of $20k. My TR6 looks very nice, but there are a few small scratches and dings in the doors. My TR6 is a Triumph you get in, drive around, and have a good time in, because you can. My TR6 does make people look at you, and people will stop to talk to you. If you have problems making new friends, you should buy my TR6, and you will never have to worry about it again.