1969 Triumph TR-6

Low Serial# Convertible

6 - Cyl.

Manual

CC26730L

Gasoline

1969 Triumph TR-6 First Year Production, with a Super-Solid Frame and Clean Body Chassis #CC26730L Early 1969 TR-6 from the initial 25% of the first model year’s production, so likely assembled in 1968. This is the 1730th car built from a run of nearly 92,000 TR-6s made over the eight year production run (only 7141 for the entire ’69 model year). It has the the detailing that makes the 1969 model unique and special to collectors. Little distinctions that differentiate the ’69 TR-6 from all other vintages include: Rare original equipment “Rostyle” wheel trims (fitted to 5-1/2" “nipple” wheels, used on ’69 model) ; one-year-only steering wheel style (quite hard to find these) ; unique seats with “tombstone” style folding headrest ; painted windshield frame matched to body color ; and magnetic gas cap. And the ’69 required no added emission controls to meet pollution standards, which makes for a simpler, smoother engine and a clean engine bay. It also has some of the neater features that got phased out over the years on later cars: Livelier, more responsive 8.5:1 compression ratio engine ; in-dash ignition lock mounting ; early style gauge faces ; lever control for the “flipper” cowl vent for forced fresh air ; front parking/turn signal lamps flush mounted in the valance panel below the grille ; silver anodized finish for the windshield wipers ; simple chromed bumpers (at the proper height and without big rubber pads). These are all small details that give the car a great vintage look and feel, and they stand out when compared to a later TR-6. Early models also had a larger fuel tank, which is practical. This car has been off the road and stored for many years, and we have taken basic steps to make it roadworthy again, including fresh oil & filter, coolant flush, and brake fluid ; rebuilt and balanced Stromberg carburetors ; rebuilt alternator ; new fuel lines ; rebuilt clutch slave and master The car presents well, with a new top with zip-down rear window (as original equipment) and setting on genuine Michelin red-lines. The Michelins have really excellent tread depth. It’s the correct brand, style, and size for the TR-6, and if you’ve ever priced new ones, this will mean something (and there’s a fifth one in the trunk). The chrome-and-black “Rostyles” definitely set off the red-lines and make a strong style statement. This car is nowhere near a show-piece, however, and it will take work to make it perfect. First and foremost, it needs a new paint job to look great. The paint is shiny, but has chips, scratches, scuffs, dings, and many rough touch-ups. It's not embarrassing unless you plan on exhibiting at shows, but it's not as nice as photos suggest and the car deserves to be spruced up. The seats have tears in the cushions, and the car comes with new black seat upholstery, in the correct style, still in boxes (worth $$$). There's also a full tonneau cover with zipper for opening up the driver's seat only (super on cool autumn days!) The bumpers are in nice shape. The front one is better than the back one, which has weaker chrome. The windshield is excellent: No cracks, chips, fogging, or pitting, and it was probably fairly new when the car was laid-up. The top is new, good quality, and looks and fits nicely. It has crystal clear, unscratched windows and all the snaps are in place, but it would benefit from new weatherstrips and trim. It has a zip-down window (as originally equipped), which is a nice touch for letting the air flow through but shading the sun when it's too hot. The gauges are clean and clear, and they all work and they all light up (not typical in a TR!). The signal lights, hazard switch, washers and horn do not work. Seat belts are absent. The wipers wipe on two speeds, and the blower motor blows on two speeds, like they're supposed to. There is a period-correct and properly sized Clarion AM radio which is untested and is not hooked up. All the controls are set in a beautiful original finish wood dashboard with no delamination or fading and in the correct wood type and graining for the model year. The padded door caps look good, and there is a perfect padded dash cap above the very pretty instrument panel. The black carpeting is clean and looks very new, and there is a neat set of clean and perfect vintage AMCO rubber floor mats with Triumph insignia molded right in. The interior is really a very nice place to sit and conduct the business of driving. It is clean and gives the impression of being well cared for. The body panels are all solid, and the panel fit is generally nice and straight for a Triumph. The wheel arches are all solid steel, no filler or rust, and we saw no signs of repairs or filler in the sills. The other usual rust hot spots (floors, trunk crevices, spare tire well, battery box, shock mounts, and chassis outriggers) are all impressively clean for a 43-year-old car, especially in tight corners and joints. Most of the underside shows surface oxidation on the chassis and floors, but it's non-threatening and can be cleaned off before painting. We resisted the temptation to spray the whole underside with black paint, so you can see it naked and honest. There are no rust holes anywhere, and no signs of any rust repair ever. There is evidence of light crash repair in the rear panel (by the trunk latch, and visible from inside the trunk only). The trunk lid looks slightly wavy from repair, but it latches and locks tightly. All of the external panels will benefit from some professional bodywork to smooth things out before repainting. By any reasonable definition, this is as rust-free as an un-restored old car can be. See the pictures! The engine fires-up quickly, runs smoothly, and settles into a decent idle. Oil pressure is strong. The exhaust is solid and quiet! This car drives well, and it accelerates cleanly, with brio, and the six is always silky smooth. It has tight steering, a firm brake pedal, and a sharp clutch that bites quickly with no slop in the U-joints (a common weakness on TR6s). Four-speed, no overdrive. There is room for improvement, and the biggest demerit is that the shocks are old and soft, and this is adding to some imbalance from the left rear wheel at highway speeds of around 60 mph. We will have that wheel checked and re-balanced, but the car will really drive better with new or rebuilt shocks. The car has a nice curb-side stance, with no sagging from negative camber at the rear (evidence that the springs are good). In all, we have driven this TR about forty miles to test and evaluate it. It seems healthy enough, but unless you are brave and very capable, we would recommend trailering it any long distance home. Keep things in perspective: It is an OLD British roadster. But a very nice one for the right buyer! It’s very solid panels and chassis and the original 1969 detailing (often lost through the years) make this example an unusual find. This TR6 can be perfect for a weekend hobbyist to wrench on and drive as-is, or it will make a sensational foundation for a stunning ground-up restoration by a dedicated enthusiast. In either case, the car should be considered a ‘work-in-progress’, and it will be best matched to a new owner who is knowledgeable and passionate about old cars. This TR-6’s best features are its very well-preserved body & frame, healthy motor, retention of its original detailing and its early production number. All features that will make it stand out at any Triumph meet. Parts availability is fantastic, and the basic engineering makes Triumphs an irresistible pleasure to tinker with. If simplicity and an intimate interface between driver, machine and road appeals to you above all else, a TR-6 is just what you’d order! Note: eBay gives us space for 24 photos. Please "supersize" them for the best look. We have many more photos of this car, particularly underneath. If you would like to see something in particular that is not visible here, let us know and we will be happy to email you pics of anything you'd like to see. PLEASE FEEL FREE to CHECK OUT OUR OTHER CLASSIC SPORTSCARS on eBAY THIS WEEK! The Fine Print: GOOD LUCK! Please bid to the value this car may hold for you. Please feel free to ask questions or add comments. Please ask questions BEFORE you bid. We will respond quickly and honestly. This car is located in Plymouth, Minnesota 55441, about ten minutes west of downtown Minneapolis. Inspections are invited and encouraged! CONDITIONS: Winning this auction constitutes a legal and binding agreement between the Buyer, the Owner and the Selling Agents. Please bid sincerely and sensibly. Zero-feedback bidders must contact us first before bidding to establish some level of seriousness-of-intent; It's nothing personal, just business: We, and many others, have been stung on eBay Motors by too many dead-beat auction winners. Vehicle is sold "As-Is and Where-Is". If the Buyer comes to pick up this car and is in any way dissatisfied, he or she will have the Option of walking away from the Deal with Full Refund of the Deposit and any Payments made to the Owner. Otherwise, no warranty is expressed, implied or offered. Neither the Owner nor the Selling Agents can or will take any responsibility for this car after it leaves the premises. PAYMENT: Buyer must make a $200 DEPOSIT by PayPal within 24 hours of the Auction Close. The Deposit will secure the Deal for all Parties involved. Failure to make Deposit within 24 hours will risk Cancellation of the Sale at Discretion of the Owner and Sellers. BALANCE MUST BE PAID within 7 BUSINESS DAYS of sale by SECURE PAYMENT or CASH at PICK-UP. TRANSPORT: Buyer is responsible for all transportation arrangements and costs. Car is garaged in Plymouth, Minnesota 55441 (about ten minutes from downtown Minneapolis, thirty minutes from Twin Cities International Airport). We do not offer quotes on shipping. There are many vendors to choose from offering vehicle transport; eBay's "preferred" shipper, DAS, and FedEx/Passport are two great places to start getting bids. STORAGE: While the Auction Winner sorts out pick-up or transport arrangements, Owner can offer, free of charge, dry indoor storage for up to 30 days after auction termination. Longer periods can be arranged at cost if necessary. Seller cannot accept any liability during this storage period. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Thank You for Looking! We are fluent in classic European cars. We are hobbyists, first and foremost, and happy to hear from you on the subject of cars or bikes. In addition to AUTOMOBILIA and PARTS, WE HAVE SOLD DOZENS OF VEHICLES ON eBAY...EACH DEAL A HAPPY ONE FOR ALL INVOLVED! >>MM1000auto>> was created to auction the THINGS WE LOVE MOST: CARS, PARTS, and AUTOMOBILIA On Apr-16-12 at 16:37:10 PDT, seller added the following information: ATTENTION: Bidders and Watchers: Today we filled the lever shocks with oil (they were pretty dry) and we rebalanced the left rear tire...The car was TRANSFORMED!! (Get it? TR-ansformed?). The vibration at speed is gone, and 70-75 is now a comfortable cruise speed. At an indicated 80mph the car is still not breathing hard, and it feels and sounds like it wants to go forever. The rear suspension is no longer squishy, and it feels like a different machine.