Having always been a fan of 6-cylinder Triumphs, but having a hard time finding one at an affordable price, I had to jump on this particular car, listed here in Thousand Oaks, CA for $2000. I can’t say I have a particular story about these, or even any experience with them, except for one I test drove while I was in high school. Even at that time (15ish years ago), I think it was about $3000 for a ratty example in primer with a steering rack that was not properly secured to the rest of the car. I was kind of surprised the owner let me out on a test drive by myself, until I found out it wouldn’t get me too far.
Anyway, that was so bad, I couldn’t possibly run into another example that bad! Or could I? For $2000, this car with seemingly original color, no visible rust (solid according to the seller), and mostly complete, seems like a screaming deal. It’s even one of the earlier cars with smaller chrome bumpers and limited smog equipment. Check it out:
Left side looks pretty clean, although those open doors could conceivably be hiding damage to the rear fenders. The fact the car is up on jackstands and not folding in half gives some confidence in its structural integrity. I think I’m actually a bigger fan of these “phone-dial” style wheels than spokes, but maybe that’s just my inner Alfa-nut speaking. Something about the deep dish look of those wide rims makes the car look a bit more aggressive.
Right side doesn’t divulge any nasty secrets either. From what little you can see of the engine, it doesn’t look like anything major (say, the head) is missing. Again, the car looks pretty solid and complete, but probably needing work to get it streetable again. Question is, how much? I hate to even mention it, but I’d guess you’ve got at least $2000 in parts here, should the worst happen.
Ahhh, here’s some gritty detail. As you can see, bits of the interior are missing… seat cushions, door panels, possibly top, maybe more these blurry cell phone shots don’t reveal. Seller does not specify if these parts come with the car. However, with the parts supply situation what it is for old British cars, I’d imagine this is about the easiest part of the car to re-do. Worst case, you could rig up some junkyard seats until you have the scratch to get the correct ones redone.
Here’s the money shot. Looks like a 3-digit, 3-letter blue plate, which suggests the car has been in California since it was new, and with that raises your hopes on the rust status. And is that an overdrive badge on the right rear? At this price, I’d certainly approach the car with low expectations, but with that history and its location in upscale Thousand Oaks, my hope would be for a near-drivable project the seller just wants out of his driveway fast. Get it running, take it on a couple of events, and then think about passing it along or getting into it yourself – there’s plenty of upside.
Rusty But Trusty 
July 8, 2009 at 5:17 am |
Have fun with that TR6. Could be a thing of beauty. When I read articles like yours, I think maybe I could get another one. Anyway, Good Luck.
December 18, 2010 at 11:14 pm |
If a non-rustbucket TR6 hit Craigslist here in Austin at that price my pals in the local Triumph club would violently elbow each other in the face to get to it first. I’ve got one parked in my garage, a red ’71 also. It’s got hail dings, parking lot scabs and an enamel paint job so thick it looks like it was dipped in a vat. I’m fond of it, the automotive equivalent of faded jeans. Reading your blog sometimes I feel that I want something more obscure and oddball … but I get over it when I look at what I already have.