1969 Triumph GT6 mkII
Discussion
When I was 16 I started looking at first cars. Trawling through autotraders, horrified by my friends vauxhall novas, citroen AXs, and fiestas, I began investigations into something slightly more interesting. I began looking at long wheelbase landrovers, somehow, this developed into an interest in MG midgets, until my eyes fell upon a triumph GT6. To this day, i still think it's one of the most lovely shaped cars on the planet (although i am utterly biased and readily accept that.)
15 years later, i finally managed to buy a good* example, imported from California by a large German chap from Bavaria who hadn't bargained on it being quite so small. His reason for selling: "I'm tall, I'm fat, I'm Bavarian! This car is too small for Bavarians."
I made all the amateur mistakes possible when buying a car, fell in love with her at first sight, he knocked a grand off it and a month later she was delivered to me:
I then set about the task of officially registering an american import for the first time, in Germany, with VERY little grasp of the german language, or the german vehicle licensing bureaucracy.
However, it soon became apparent that she'd first be needing a bit of work to get her road legal.
'* By 'good' i mean, she looked nice but had all sorts of evils hidden deep within.
A quick engine rebuild from the big-end up, a sprinkle of new perishables such as hoses, brake lines, electrics, carbs and exhausts..
..And an AWFUL lot of money spent and she's almost there - Registered, insured, running...
...but still needing a bit of work.. (full gearbox refurb for a start!!)
She makes me smile every time i peel off the car cover. (Which is a good thing because i have close to ruined myself getting her to this point!)
15 years later, i finally managed to buy a good* example, imported from California by a large German chap from Bavaria who hadn't bargained on it being quite so small. His reason for selling: "I'm tall, I'm fat, I'm Bavarian! This car is too small for Bavarians."
I made all the amateur mistakes possible when buying a car, fell in love with her at first sight, he knocked a grand off it and a month later she was delivered to me:
I then set about the task of officially registering an american import for the first time, in Germany, with VERY little grasp of the german language, or the german vehicle licensing bureaucracy.
However, it soon became apparent that she'd first be needing a bit of work to get her road legal.
'* By 'good' i mean, she looked nice but had all sorts of evils hidden deep within.
A quick engine rebuild from the big-end up, a sprinkle of new perishables such as hoses, brake lines, electrics, carbs and exhausts..
..And an AWFUL lot of money spent and she's almost there - Registered, insured, running...
...but still needing a bit of work.. (full gearbox refurb for a start!!)
She makes me smile every time i peel off the car cover. (Which is a good thing because i have close to ruined myself getting her to this point!)
Nice Mk2 you have there. I agree with you with regards to the styling as well, but I too am biased haha. Also, while they may cost a bit to run they are not that bad when compared with some classic cars. Nearly all the parts are readily available and are not too expensive (Unless you want a bonnet). Enjoy it, it looks lovely 
.
. Lovely, I had to sell my MK 2 when much younger and am now re building a MK3. The back box looks interesting, the tail pipes are similar to an Ansa system but I don't think they do one for the GT6. A cautionary word however, have a good read around before running your rebuilt engine with the supplementary rocker oil supply [coming from the oil pressure take off in the form of a braided hose], general consensus is that they starve the bottom end leading to premature wear, If your rocker gear is in good condition it will be fine with regular oil changes.
Good work, hope it works well!
Good work, hope it works well!
Thanks again everyone.
Thanks for the rocker cover tip. I'll do some digging into alternatives.
Wizardskills said:
Also, while they may cost a bit to run they are not that bad when compared with some classic cars. Nearly all the parts are readily available and are not too expensive (Unless you want a bonnet). Enjoy it, it looks lovely .
You're absolutely right, apart from paying for a major engine overhaul, i've been surprised at how cheap and easy it is to find parts. I'm pretty sure if i'd have bought a 911 before i'd be bankrupt and only have a small pile of bits to show for it.. Bentpushrod said:
Lovely, I had to sell my MK 2 when much younger and am now re building a MK3. The back box looks interesting, the tail pipes are similar to an Ansa system but I don't think they do one for the GT6. A cautionary word however, have a good read around before running your rebuilt engine with the supplementary rocker oil supply [coming from the oil pressure take off in the form of a braided hose], general consensus is that they starve the bottom end leading to premature wear, If your rocker gear is in good condition it will be fine with regular oil changes.
Good work, hope it works well!
Yeah, it's a US import, the owner kept most things standard except the colour and the exhaust system. It's a Monza exhaus and is far too loud and obnoxious, but it's something that can wait for a rainy day to be replaced.Good work, hope it works well!
Thanks for the rocker cover tip. I'll do some digging into alternatives.
dave stew said:
A drove one when I was 15 back in 1980... I can remember the offset throttle pedal which was bare metal.
You've got a good memory Dave, mine's the same although perhaps the offset is a little more natural in the left hand drive machines.Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff