Know your GT6 or other classics?
Discussion
Mrs GL (
!) has always wanted a Triumph GT6.
With her birthday coming up, was thinking of putting one in the garage for her, but I don't know a lot about them. All I've managed to wean out of her is 'overdrive' and 'not white'... Can't even tell if she wants a Mk1, 2 or 3.
Anyone got any war stories, tips, best model to go for, good places to buy from, etc.?
Or can anyone suggest an alternative classic that will be in good nick for around £2.5k-£3k?
!) has always wanted a Triumph GT6. With her birthday coming up, was thinking of putting one in the garage for her, but I don't know a lot about them. All I've managed to wean out of her is 'overdrive' and 'not white'... Can't even tell if she wants a Mk1, 2 or 3.
Anyone got any war stories, tips, best model to go for, good places to buy from, etc.?
Or can anyone suggest an alternative classic that will be in good nick for around £2.5k-£3k?
Loads of info here...
www.tssc.org.uk/gt6.asp
As for alternatives, if she's always had her heart set on a GT6, you'd be a brave man to risk getting her anything else!
www.tssc.org.uk/gt6.asp
As for alternatives, if she's always had her heart set on a GT6, you'd be a brave man to risk getting her anything else!
Arm yourself with some copies of Practical Classics e.t.c. ....and be careful! I wouldn't recommend buying one in a hurry, better to trawl the lenghts of the country rather than buying the first deathtrap with nice paint you see.
I would agree that if she has her heart set on a GT6 you'd better get her one.
I would agree that if she has her heart set on a GT6 you'd better get her one.
I had a Mk3 GT6 which I would recommend - better suspension than the earlier ones which had a tendency to "jack up" at the rear end under cornering.
It was a surprisingly good car. Faster than a TVR1600M on a twisty road (I had them both at the same time so I carried out a bit of testing on my local twisty test read!)
I got mine in very poor condition and restored it which was pretty easy. They do rust a lot, like all classics of that era, but if you get a nicely restored one you should be alright, but check the chassis carefully for rust with a big screwdriver/hammer. The engine's quite strong and sounds beautiful if you get a sports exhaust, which I think most restored ones would have.
The main problem I had with it was cabin heat. The ventilation's not great and with only a cardboard transmission tunnel between the cabin and 6 cylinders of old fashioned steel it can be unbearably hot in the summer. I went on holiday to cornwall in mine with the wife and a big dog camping. My main memories are of the heat !
Overdrives a good idea, but check it works properly with the engine really hot. They have a habit of getting a bit hot and sticking on or off.
S..
It was a surprisingly good car. Faster than a TVR1600M on a twisty road (I had them both at the same time so I carried out a bit of testing on my local twisty test read!)
I got mine in very poor condition and restored it which was pretty easy. They do rust a lot, like all classics of that era, but if you get a nicely restored one you should be alright, but check the chassis carefully for rust with a big screwdriver/hammer. The engine's quite strong and sounds beautiful if you get a sports exhaust, which I think most restored ones would have.
The main problem I had with it was cabin heat. The ventilation's not great and with only a cardboard transmission tunnel between the cabin and 6 cylinders of old fashioned steel it can be unbearably hot in the summer. I went on holiday to cornwall in mine with the wife and a big dog camping. My main memories are of the heat !
Overdrives a good idea, but check it works properly with the engine really hot. They have a habit of getting a bit hot and sticking on or off.
S..
For a while a GT6 and an SE6 were our family transport.
To be honest, unless Mrs GL drives like a loon she won't experience the jacking up problem, but since MK1s are pretty rare that won't be a problem most likely. The MK3 came in two forms - the earlier version (up to end '72) had the Rotoflex suspension of the MK2, similar to that on an Elan and very effective. However, the doughnuts go and are tricky to fix without the right gear. The later 73 MK3 had Swing-Spring suspension which sounds alarming but which actually works surprisingly well. Another plus of the late '3 is the Servo assisted brakes. Overdrive is a good plus but try to find a car with the D-Type overdrive replaced with a J-Type, which is both stronger and quicker in operation. GT6 cooling is marginal - Kenlowe fans are a useful fitment. Downsides... The gearbox is only just up to the job. The differential is not bomb proof. Rust...
I had forgotten how hot it got in summer - but I now recall sitting in a traffic jam using the cabin heater and fan on full to keep the engine temp down. not fun.
But it was very reliable, only once letting me down in five years hard driving, fantastic fun and to be honest I wish I'd hung on to it.
To be honest, unless Mrs GL drives like a loon she won't experience the jacking up problem, but since MK1s are pretty rare that won't be a problem most likely. The MK3 came in two forms - the earlier version (up to end '72) had the Rotoflex suspension of the MK2, similar to that on an Elan and very effective. However, the doughnuts go and are tricky to fix without the right gear. The later 73 MK3 had Swing-Spring suspension which sounds alarming but which actually works surprisingly well. Another plus of the late '3 is the Servo assisted brakes. Overdrive is a good plus but try to find a car with the D-Type overdrive replaced with a J-Type, which is both stronger and quicker in operation. GT6 cooling is marginal - Kenlowe fans are a useful fitment. Downsides... The gearbox is only just up to the job. The differential is not bomb proof. Rust...
I had forgotten how hot it got in summer - but I now recall sitting in a traffic jam using the cabin heater and fan on full to keep the engine temp down. not fun.
But it was very reliable, only once letting me down in five years hard driving, fantastic fun and to be honest I wish I'd hung on to it.
Mk II is the one to go for, has the sexy bonnet louvres and the rotaflex rear suspension (the MkIII reverted to the swing axle used on the MkI) The shape is much nicer IMHO hasn't got that seventies square look of the later ones
MkII is also slightly lighter
I know of a few (in bits) that could be restored (easily, and to a very high standard) the advantage of doing it like that would be you get exactly the spec you want. Drop me a line through my profile if you're interested
MkII is also slightly lighter
I know of a few (in bits) that could be restored (easily, and to a very high standard) the advantage of doing it like that would be you get exactly the spec you want. Drop me a line through my profile if you're interested
Check out my site on GT6's .... www.fugazi.co.uk
It's only the mk1's that used to jack up, and then only when you were on the limit of cornering capability AND you lift off. The mk2 had a little bit better rear suspension than the mk3 coz they went to the rotoflex system - for the mk3 they reverted to a modified swing spring design (for cheapness), but to be honest the difference is very marginal. You wont really notice. Plus you can always covert a mk1 to mk2 or mk3 rear suspension very easily, and only a rivet counter or concours judge would be able to tell.
Personally I've got a very soft spot for the mk2's, though they are harder to find (as many mk3s were made as mk1+mk2's put together). The most powerful engine and the best looking by far (IMO).
More chrome too, if you're into that kind of thing.
You can get fibreglass transmission tunnels now, which with a bit of engine bay heat reflective material helps cut some heat out. Occasionally you'll come across a car fitted with a webbasto (sp?) sunroof.
Agree .... join the TSSC ... best place for info (and cars advertised)
I've had 2, and have just finished restoring the body work for a mates (new floors, 3 piece sills, front wings, rear wings, rear inner wings, boot floor, rear valance, battery box ... oh the list went on !). Check very carefully the panel gaps ... they weren't exactly all that good to start with from the factory, but if people replace the sills without bracing the shell you get some goddamn awful gaps round the bonnet / door / top of sill.
Pretty cheap spares, very plentiful too. Plenty of specialists.
Feel free to email me off list ....
It's only the mk1's that used to jack up, and then only when you were on the limit of cornering capability AND you lift off. The mk2 had a little bit better rear suspension than the mk3 coz they went to the rotoflex system - for the mk3 they reverted to a modified swing spring design (for cheapness), but to be honest the difference is very marginal. You wont really notice. Plus you can always covert a mk1 to mk2 or mk3 rear suspension very easily, and only a rivet counter or concours judge would be able to tell.
Personally I've got a very soft spot for the mk2's, though they are harder to find (as many mk3s were made as mk1+mk2's put together). The most powerful engine and the best looking by far (IMO).
More chrome too, if you're into that kind of thing. You can get fibreglass transmission tunnels now, which with a bit of engine bay heat reflective material helps cut some heat out. Occasionally you'll come across a car fitted with a webbasto (sp?) sunroof.
Agree .... join the TSSC ... best place for info (and cars advertised)
I've had 2, and have just finished restoring the body work for a mates (new floors, 3 piece sills, front wings, rear wings, rear inner wings, boot floor, rear valance, battery box ... oh the list went on !). Check very carefully the panel gaps ... they weren't exactly all that good to start with from the factory, but if people replace the sills without bracing the shell you get some goddamn awful gaps round the bonnet / door / top of sill.
Pretty cheap spares, very plentiful too. Plenty of specialists.
Feel free to email me off list ....
incorrigible said: I know of a few (in bits) that could be restored (easily, and to a very high standard) the advantage of doing it like that would be you get exactly the spec you want. Drop me a line through my profile if you're interested
Thanks incorrigible, but I'd prefer to buy a good one that someone else had restored. I'm not patient enough...
EDITED TO SAY...
Mind you, if NevPugh can fix them up...
Chaps. YOU HAVE MAIL.
>> Edited by goodlife on Monday 17th March 15:39
I've only just finished my mates !!! :runsawayandhides:
incorrigible said:
I know of a few (in bits) that could be restored (easily, and to a very high standard) the advantage of doing it like that would be you get exactly the spec you want. Drop me a line through my profile if you're interested
If only you knew how hard it is for me to resist this tempting offer...
incorrigible said: Nev,
Love the Damson MkII on your site
She was my first {sigh}. Actually quite a rare car, tuned by SAH and raced in various series (hence the rollover bar, lack of bumpers, bucket seats etc. Very "raw". And also full of rot and filler sadly. She was also once owned by Bill Sunderland (TSSC boss man).
Biggest problem with people trying to run classics as a daily car is the tendancy to treat them as a modern car, i.e yearly service and nowt else. 'Fraid it doesn't work like that. When these were around servicing was done a lot more frequently, with bizarre things needing to be done at funny time periods!!
I bought a reasonable MGB 1972 for a daily driver last January, a year later (of constent daily use) i am just at a point where it can be left alone until its 6,000mile service interval, but does like an oil change at 3,000miles. Technically the front suspension should be greased every 1,000 miles but i never have and so far has been ok...
Steering was always ok, bodywork good, engine tired and will be replaced soon, but that said 100% reliable :hopinghehasn'ttemptedfatebythatremarksotouchingwoodlikemad:
I have spent a LOT replacing suspension and brakes etc with stuff that can keep up with modern traffic, it can now corner at 90mph with little fuss (on the right road of course) - this is on top of the £3k price i paid. Its always amusing to stick with a modern car through twisties even though they have much better power, handling etc..!
I guess Triumphs are the same as the MG, buy the best car you can find for your money in terms of bodywork, as engine gearbox etc are usually so easy to come across and they are so simple to work on. Bodywork is usually a bit more tricky - sills especially are a pricey bit of work is you can't use a welder!!
Best thing to do is find a specialist who is more keen on keeping the cars on the road than taking money from your wallet. I know of a very good MG guy in Bedfordshire who may help you as he is restoring a GT6 himself....
Also find the Websites that can help you out and if you are keen for a fiddle under the bonnet you can usually save yourself time and money. Try not to believe the previous owner too much either!!
I bought mine as a bit of a laugh really, and also to prove people that you can live with one every day. You can but you have to want to - i did 12,000miles last year in mine and only broke down once (on the anniversary of the day i bought it actually!!!) when the alternator went. It even coped going to le mans last year and it was HOT down there (might fit a kenlowe though for piece of mind)!!
Best of luck, they are good fun really
I bought a reasonable MGB 1972 for a daily driver last January, a year later (of constent daily use) i am just at a point where it can be left alone until its 6,000mile service interval, but does like an oil change at 3,000miles. Technically the front suspension should be greased every 1,000 miles but i never have and so far has been ok...
Steering was always ok, bodywork good, engine tired and will be replaced soon, but that said 100% reliable :hopinghehasn'ttemptedfatebythatremarksotouchingwoodlikemad:
I have spent a LOT replacing suspension and brakes etc with stuff that can keep up with modern traffic, it can now corner at 90mph with little fuss (on the right road of course) - this is on top of the £3k price i paid. Its always amusing to stick with a modern car through twisties even though they have much better power, handling etc..!
I guess Triumphs are the same as the MG, buy the best car you can find for your money in terms of bodywork, as engine gearbox etc are usually so easy to come across and they are so simple to work on. Bodywork is usually a bit more tricky - sills especially are a pricey bit of work is you can't use a welder!!
Best thing to do is find a specialist who is more keen on keeping the cars on the road than taking money from your wallet. I know of a very good MG guy in Bedfordshire who may help you as he is restoring a GT6 himself....
Also find the Websites that can help you out and if you are keen for a fiddle under the bonnet you can usually save yourself time and money. Try not to believe the previous owner too much either!!
I bought mine as a bit of a laugh really, and also to prove people that you can live with one every day. You can but you have to want to - i did 12,000miles last year in mine and only broke down once (on the anniversary of the day i bought it actually!!!) when the alternator went. It even coped going to le mans last year and it was HOT down there (might fit a kenlowe though for piece of mind)!!
Best of luck, they are good fun really
Buffalo said: Biggest problem with people trying to run classics as a daily car is the tendancy to treat them as a modern car, i.e yearly service and nowt else.
It would be for good weather days (like today!), not a daily runabout. But we still expect it to need plenty of TLC to stay on the road.
It's just one of those cars that when she was young, she went in one and said "I really want one when I grow up."
I'm sure all pistonheaders have those cars that you can remember wanting as a kid. Great thing is that the Mrs can now have her childhood dream car for just a few grand!
Yep thats why i have mine - i went in a mates mum's Red BGT when i was about 5 or 6, remebered it ever since..! 
When i was looking for a more interesting car i saw one in good nick i liked and bought it
Trying to save for an MSc so didnt want to spend loads on transport.
I still have some sleepless nights about the cars i could have owned for the money, but I'm only a young 'un so hopefully still the time!!
Besides all these weekends spent under the bonnet sorting out teething troubles are in preparation for my Cerbera Speed 6!!
When i was looking for a more interesting car i saw one in good nick i liked and bought it
Trying to save for an MSc so didnt want to spend loads on transport. I still have some sleepless nights about the cars i could have owned for the money, but I'm only a young 'un so hopefully still the time!!
Besides all these weekends spent under the bonnet sorting out teething troubles are in preparation for my Cerbera Speed 6!!
Buffalo said: Yep thats why i have mine - i went in a mates mum's Red BGT when i was about 5 or 6, remebered it ever since..!
When i was looking for a more interesting car i saw one in good nick i liked and bought it
Do you mind not talking about that other brand? This is a thread about GT6s...
I can still remember the first time I saw a TR6 (outside Ken the Barbers in Poole) and the first time I saw a Quattro (in Poole Park, oddly). Both times I thought "One day, you shall be mine".
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