Discussion
Yertis said:
Weird thread isn't it. 
Depends on your definition of fun – I love my TR6 but, as they say, it's complicated.
Yes exactly and I don't think he gets it. Depends on your definition of fun – I love my TR6 but, as they say, it's complicated.
Yes there are cars that are better in every way, even more fun depending on your definition but Triumph managed to pull together a unique set of qualities which for £15-£20k represents outstanding value and there are plenty of good ones at that price.
I have been fortunate enough to own and drive many far more exotic and powerful cars over many decades but I still get into a TR6 and think wow!
They are not quick or have the best road manners, the engine can trace its roots back to a tractor but the combination of bits work together to feel like a far more exotic classic.
In my youth, I was never a fan of them. I didn't like their styling and even when they were launched they were archaic but I now appreciate them for nostalgic motoring legend they are.
Classic car ownership is also much more than just about the car. Organisations like Club Triumph arrange a calendar of events that are not just your average classic car meet.
You may not get it but try one and then see who is laughing.
thebraketester said:
Yertis said:
Weird thread isn't it.
Depends on your definition of fun – I love my TR6 but, as they say, it's complicated.
I love them, the TR6 is my favourite classic car. Are they a nightmare in terms of reliability?Depends on your definition of fun – I love my TR6 but, as they say, it's complicated.
Pistom said:
Yes exactly and I don't think he gets it.
Yes there are cars that are better in every way, even more fun depending on your definition but Triumph managed to pull together a unique set of qualities which for £15-£20k represents outstanding value and there are plenty of good ones at that price.
I have been fortunate enough to own and drive many far more exotic and powerful cars over many decades but I still get into a TR6 and think wow!
They are not quick or have the best road manners, the engine can trace its roots back to a tractor but the combination of bits work together to feel like a far more exotic classic.
In my youth, I was never a fan of them. I didn't like their styling and even when they were launched they were archaic but I now appreciate them for nostalgic motoring legend they are.
Classic car ownership is also much more than just about the car. Organisations like Club Triumph arrange a calendar of events that are not just your average classic car meet.
You may not get it but try one and then see who is laughing.
I'm not knocking the TR6 as a vehicle. Just the reckoning that £20,000 is great value and specifically the comment "Not much to touch it for fun at that price. "Yes there are cars that are better in every way, even more fun depending on your definition but Triumph managed to pull together a unique set of qualities which for £15-£20k represents outstanding value and there are plenty of good ones at that price.
I have been fortunate enough to own and drive many far more exotic and powerful cars over many decades but I still get into a TR6 and think wow!
They are not quick or have the best road manners, the engine can trace its roots back to a tractor but the combination of bits work together to feel like a far more exotic classic.
In my youth, I was never a fan of them. I didn't like their styling and even when they were launched they were archaic but I now appreciate them for nostalgic motoring legend they are.
Classic car ownership is also much more than just about the car. Organisations like Club Triumph arrange a calendar of events that are not just your average classic car meet.
You may not get it but try one and then see who is laughing.
You have to be completely senile if you honestly believe that.
300bhp/ton said:
I'm not knocking the TR6 as a vehicle. Just the reckoning that £20,000 is great value and specifically the comment "Not much to touch it for fun at that price. "
You have to be completely senile if you honestly believe that.
I know what you are saying but what is there for £20K which offers the same qualities and experience? My sound bite didn't say everything I meant by that throwaway comment and I can see it being taken out of context.You have to be completely senile if you honestly believe that.
Yes, for a fraction of the price you can get some nailed together kit car and there are countless cars that are quicker and more entertaining at speed but the reason for my comment was that anyone who is considering a TR6 would probably be looking at a 50s 60s convertible and most cars that are of a similar ilk are a lot more expensive.
Part of the package that comes with the TR is entry into a number of club events which have little to compare.
I admit I was always a fan of the TR6, although I personally prefer the TR7 
I remember when I bought my first TR7 back in 1999, a tidy TR6 could be hard for £6k iirc and £8k for a real minter. That's some fairly heft appreciation if they are £20k now. So I guess that was more of the shock/point I was making. I just never thought of them as £20k cars.
Also, only nitpicking, but I think it's more fair to think of the TR6 as a 70's car, not a 50's/60's one. Production was 1968-76.
I remember when I bought my first TR7 back in 1999, a tidy TR6 could be hard for £6k iirc and £8k for a real minter. That's some fairly heft appreciation if they are £20k now. So I guess that was more of the shock/point I was making. I just never thought of them as £20k cars.
Also, only nitpicking, but I think it's more fair to think of the TR6 as a 70's car, not a 50's/60's one. Production was 1968-76.
MKnight702 said:
Pistom said:
Yes, for a fraction of the price you can get some nailed together kit car
For £20k I would expect a hell of a lot more than a "nailed together" kit car, you are in to top end Westfield or mid range Caterham at that price.Mint MGRV8.
HMC's
Ok these are all more modern.
But in terms of classics, again mint mint mint Triumph Stag and change.
Mustangs, Camaro's, Firebirds.
Classic TVR's or a Marcos, all within budget.
300bhp/ton said:
£20k certainly opens a lot of doors. Mint TVR Chim or even Griff, even Cerbera's and maybe newer ones.
Mint MGRV8.
HMC's
Ok these are all more modern.
But in terms of classics, again mint mint mint Triumph Stag and change.
Mustangs, Camaro's, Firebirds.
Classic TVR's or a Marcos, all within budget.
I always advise people to get the best example of whatever car they can get and the TR6s I saw for sale in the summer at £15-£18K didn't impress me so I'm hoping £20K would buy something better. Mint MGRV8.
HMC's
Ok these are all more modern.
But in terms of classics, again mint mint mint Triumph Stag and change.
Mustangs, Camaro's, Firebirds.
Classic TVR's or a Marcos, all within budget.
The TVRs are very different to a TR6 but are a closer comparison than many other cars. You certainly couldn't do the RBRR in a TVR though.
The MG is too soft in comparison, close but not the same.
Triumph Stag - so different it shouldn't be on here.
The American trash - American trash. Even the Americans agree
Classis TVR - agree, there are similarities
Marcos - some similarities but similar price too. Steel chassis cars suffer from bump steer.
There are lots of other fun cars for the money but they are a different kind of fun. As to the shock of classic car prices, yes I agree. I sold a couple of my classics earlier this year and was gob smacked at the prices I got for well used cars that were less than mint.
Pistom said:
//j17 said:
Only if your car had had an engine swap to a TR2-4A or something. The TR6's engine can trace it's roots back to the 806cc Standard Eight.
But the Standard Eight was based on the paraffin powered Ferguson TE10 wasn't it?Edited by kdb5501 on Wednesday 21st October 18:08
TRs are very special, but then I am rather biased having owned them for the best part of 26 years.
The first TR that I can remember was a Magenta TR6 that I used to see as I waited for the school bus at the top of Porthill bank (near Newcastle under Lyme) in the early 1970's. I'd always had an interest in cars from my early years and was able to recognise any car that I'd see. I used to hear the 6 before I saw it, and I swear that the owner knew that he had an appreciative schoolboy watching out for him every morning, as it seemed that most days he'd hold back a little to let those cars in front create a bit of space, then he'd drop down a gear then gun it up Porthill bank - what a sound it made! I can picture it - and hear it - in my mind even now.
In 1983, I bought my first TR - a Pimento Red 1973 TR6 UYE 760 M. It was bought from TR Bitz who at the time were at High Legh Filling Station near Lymm in Cheshire and I paid £2,250. When I viewed the car, it had just had a new set of carpets and with no other trim or upholstery fitted, The seller literally picked up a seat and placed it in the car, and told me to take it for a spin.
I kept that 6 for 11 years, and through this time, I got married, bought a house, had our first child. The TR was used as my only car at one stage. Reliability was not one of it's best features however. The notorious PI system meant that we'd start a journey never quite knowing if we'd get to our destination. A company car meant that the 6 was put into the garage to await a proper restoration. A familiar tale perhaps, but the restoration never happened and the 6 started to deteriorate.
It was sold for £4,650 in 1994 to a chap who lived near Stafford who was going to undertake a proper body off chassis restoration. A few years ago, it was privately advertised in Classic Cars as requiring work as it had suffered from standing outside near Edinburgh. I was tempted...
The first TR that I can remember was a Magenta TR6 that I used to see as I waited for the school bus at the top of Porthill bank (near Newcastle under Lyme) in the early 1970's. I'd always had an interest in cars from my early years and was able to recognise any car that I'd see. I used to hear the 6 before I saw it, and I swear that the owner knew that he had an appreciative schoolboy watching out for him every morning, as it seemed that most days he'd hold back a little to let those cars in front create a bit of space, then he'd drop down a gear then gun it up Porthill bank - what a sound it made! I can picture it - and hear it - in my mind even now.
In 1983, I bought my first TR - a Pimento Red 1973 TR6 UYE 760 M. It was bought from TR Bitz who at the time were at High Legh Filling Station near Lymm in Cheshire and I paid £2,250. When I viewed the car, it had just had a new set of carpets and with no other trim or upholstery fitted, The seller literally picked up a seat and placed it in the car, and told me to take it for a spin.
I kept that 6 for 11 years, and through this time, I got married, bought a house, had our first child. The TR was used as my only car at one stage. Reliability was not one of it's best features however. The notorious PI system meant that we'd start a journey never quite knowing if we'd get to our destination. A company car meant that the 6 was put into the garage to await a proper restoration. A familiar tale perhaps, but the restoration never happened and the 6 started to deteriorate.
It was sold for £4,650 in 1994 to a chap who lived near Stafford who was going to undertake a proper body off chassis restoration. A few years ago, it was privately advertised in Classic Cars as requiring work as it had suffered from standing outside near Edinburgh. I was tempted...
Edited by TR4man on Wednesday 21st October 19:00
I used to think they were heavy unsophisticated yet over complex archaic piles of rust.
Then I drove a good one.
By the 70s, it was from a different era. Cars like the X1/9, 240Z had come along. Even hot hatches were starting to appear and in comparison the TR6 was as I saw it.
40 years on, it is a time machine that takes you to a period where 8.5 seconds to 60mph was blistering and warm beer was drunk by men with beards.
What amazed me was how it wasn't crap. It keeps up with modern traffic and can be thrown around with gay abandon where the only bum fun is the seat of the pants motoring that comes with a car like that.
Then I drove a good one.
By the 70s, it was from a different era. Cars like the X1/9, 240Z had come along. Even hot hatches were starting to appear and in comparison the TR6 was as I saw it.
40 years on, it is a time machine that takes you to a period where 8.5 seconds to 60mph was blistering and warm beer was drunk by men with beards.
What amazed me was how it wasn't crap. It keeps up with modern traffic and can be thrown around with gay abandon where the only bum fun is the seat of the pants motoring that comes with a car like that.
Edited by Pistom on Wednesday 21st October 22:36
Gassing Station | Triumph | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff