My 1968 Triumph GT6 Mk.1
Discussion
I picked up my third Triumph up from Anglesey yesterday (April fools day)... and drove all the way back to Derbyshire, in the GT6 and the blue MGB GT V8, as pictured at services in Bangor.
The journey back was long and rather tiring with a GT6 that was no where near set up properly! So today, we got to work, firstly was a trip into town to get it booked it for a Rolling Road tune at Peter Burgess. That is on April 19th so I will report back then.
Secondly we managed to do a bit of a home tune up before it goes to Peter and it at least runs well enough to actually use now!
Thirdly the HORRIBLE badge bar the previous owner put on it had to come off.
Before -
After -
Then lastly, it was time to go for a drive ... did about 20 miles of the beautiful Derbyshire countryside, without fault. So nearly 200 miles yesterday and 20 miles today, not bad for a car that's basically not been used in five years!
My old cars are not the sort which are put in a garage and left until a show day, all of my classics (I don't have a car newer than 1976) are used for all sorts of trips, just as they were intended to be used when they came out of the factory.
Anyway enough of the chat, heres some photos of my new toy
The journey back was long and rather tiring with a GT6 that was no where near set up properly! So today, we got to work, firstly was a trip into town to get it booked it for a Rolling Road tune at Peter Burgess. That is on April 19th so I will report back then.
Secondly we managed to do a bit of a home tune up before it goes to Peter and it at least runs well enough to actually use now!
Thirdly the HORRIBLE badge bar the previous owner put on it had to come off.
Before -
After -
Then lastly, it was time to go for a drive ... did about 20 miles of the beautiful Derbyshire countryside, without fault. So nearly 200 miles yesterday and 20 miles today, not bad for a car that's basically not been used in five years!
My old cars are not the sort which are put in a garage and left until a show day, all of my classics (I don't have a car newer than 1976) are used for all sorts of trips, just as they were intended to be used when they came out of the factory.
Anyway enough of the chat, heres some photos of my new toy
rumple said:
Stunning example, love the seats, bet she sounds awesome
Thank you She is indeed a very good example and does sound lovely
. Bodily excellent and mechanically spot on. Unusually all suspension has just been renewed so is in basically factory fresh condition but still retains original set up. Interior wise, I really love what previous owner has done all the leather is of good quality and trim is all nice. Switch gear is lovely and positive, feels very vintage and not like the more "plastic" style switches of the 1970's.
Driving wise the car does feel a fair bit 'older' than the MGB GT V8 and it feels surprisingly fast ... must be something to do with practically sitting on the floor
!dbdb said:
That is beautiful car and looks to be in excellent condition. I've always loved the sound these six cylinder Triumphs make, it is delicious. Did you decide against a TR6 in the end?
I only decided against a TR6 because a. this came up ... and b. my budget bought a beautiful GT6 or a mediocre TR6 and having owned many "average" cars I decided to, for once buy something more exceptional 
.gr88 said:
lovely car
problem with the GT6 / herald /spitfire is the awful rear suspension
and shocking build quality.....
i hope yours is up to it !
use that is....
With regards to suspension, as I have mentioned in my previous post it has all been renewed so is in tip top condition, it is not the most comfortable car in the world ... not that you need that much comfort in a sports car ... problem with the GT6 / herald /spitfire is the awful rear suspension
and shocking build quality.....
i hope yours is up to it !
use that is....
The other problem is a case of respecting the car, I appreciate it for what it is. As far as build quality goes, it will never look like a uniform produced modern box but it has character. Bodily it is in excellent condition so that is half the battle, the rest is keeping it nice!
I have somewhat of a reputation for using, what many would consider as "inappropriate" cars for everyday use.
I love it! More photos and story please! Does the car have some known history?
Driving a low and noisy classic sports car is fun, because 60 mph feels like Warp 9, so the fun endangers neither licence nor life. As for the handling, yo have, as V8Triumph says, to be aware of what the car is and what it is not. Cars of this age that survive now in good condition have often been rebuilt and/or set up so as to be better than when new, even when the original spec is maintained. All of the urban myths and pub wisdom about certain types may count for little when you have a good example of that type, and use it enough to keep it going well and iron out its snags. I run old cars a lot, although I have one cop-out (a 2001 car for utility use - some would say my 1990 car is a cop-out also).
One reason why I have not bought a GT6 (yet!) is that I probably want one of each three marks. I cannot decide which I like best. With most cars produced in two or more variants, I know which variant I prefer, but with the GT6 I cannot make up my mind. I have tried all three, and like/dislike them all in different ways.
Driving a low and noisy classic sports car is fun, because 60 mph feels like Warp 9, so the fun endangers neither licence nor life. As for the handling, yo have, as V8Triumph says, to be aware of what the car is and what it is not. Cars of this age that survive now in good condition have often been rebuilt and/or set up so as to be better than when new, even when the original spec is maintained. All of the urban myths and pub wisdom about certain types may count for little when you have a good example of that type, and use it enough to keep it going well and iron out its snags. I run old cars a lot, although I have one cop-out (a 2001 car for utility use - some would say my 1990 car is a cop-out also).
One reason why I have not bought a GT6 (yet!) is that I probably want one of each three marks. I cannot decide which I like best. With most cars produced in two or more variants, I know which variant I prefer, but with the GT6 I cannot make up my mind. I have tried all three, and like/dislike them all in different ways.
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