Considering a GT6 mk3

[craigjm]

The resto-mod on my Jaguar XJC is coming to an end this summer. I may be interested in picking up a GT6 mk3 as my next project. Couple of questions....

What are the common issues? Rust locations etc

What decent modifications are available for the engine, gearbox, suspension, brakes etc?

[craigjm]

Thanks for that. When I first got the Jag the restorer said “they rust anywhere between the front bumper and the rear bumper” guess these are the same

Jigsaw racing appear to do a lot of modifications for them. Anyone used them?

[craigjm]

I think they look much nicer than etypes and kind of make me think of a 1970s Cayman. I much prefer the rear on the mk3 but I do also prefer the front of the mk1. Maybe I will do a mash up

Sounds like it’s all similar issues to the Jag then which isn’t surprising and lots of upgrades available. I’ve seen them with 2.5 engines and 5 speed boxes.

[craigjm]

Yertis said:

craigjm said:

I think they look much nicer than etypes and kind of make me think of a 1970s Cayman. I much prefer the rear on the mk3 but I do also prefer the front of the mk1. Maybe I will do a mash up

Sounds like it’s all similar issues to the Jag then which isn’t surprising and lots of upgrades available. I’ve seen them with 2.5 engines and 5 speed boxes.

I think I'd do the same with the 2.5.

I’m thinking -

Mk3 car with a mk1 bonnet
2.5 engine with best performance upgrades
5 speed gearbox
Upgrades suspension, brakes and polybush everything
Paint the car in a dark purple metallic
Xenon headlights and led lighting elsewhere
Black and silver halibrand wheels
Black leather interior with more modern sports seats. Black carpets etc. Purple stitching and GT6 logo in headrests in purple
Reworked dashboard with two bespoke black gauges with white text with tach in speedo and all the others in one gauge
Black push switches for everything similar to those I’ve used in my Jag
As much modern kit as possible, electric windows, central locking etc
Aluminium dashboard
7 inch double din screen in the centre where the gauges sit as standard
Decent hifi kit
Best ventilation that will fit. Maybe a small vintage air aircon setup if I can fit it in
Sports exhaust

So basically try and create a Porsche Cayman 1970 style

I must be mad after all of the pain of the Jag but by the summer when that’s ready I will be ready for something else

Any other ideas? This is a no go zone for purists much like the Jag

[craigjm]

Yertis said:

My only comments are that I think it would be a shame to muck around with the exterior because a Mark 1 looks good as a Mark 1 and a Mark 3 looks good as a Mark 3, but not chopped about. Also, the Cayman will still be the better car

There are often resto-moddy GT6s on FleaBay, probably a better starting point than a more original car.

Thanks for the comments. I agree with most of it and like you say where there is a will there is a way. Mk3 car is definitely the one for me and I would probably leave the front alone.

I know what you’re saying about space. Appropriate seats required not to overpower it. Seem some great sports seats designed for the original mini that might do the job

My audio and tech guy who has done the XJC can work wonders so I’m sure it’s all doable. The modern centre screen for instance is only 10mm thick its double din size but no depth. Basically smaller version of the huge thing in the XJC

I’ve already had a Cayman S from new a few years ago so scratched that itch and nothing modern really interests me at the moment.

The Jag whilst fast and capable will be a bit big for hustling down country lanes

[craigjm]

hilly10 said:

craigjm said:

I think they look much nicer than etypes and kind of make me think of a 1970s Cayman..

I am glad someone else can see the Cayman resemblance, been saying that since the Cayman was launched

Yeah I think especially with the mk3 if the rear side window didn’t have that slight kink in it they could pretty much be related. Much nicer than the e type in my opinion

[craigjm]

I remember you showing me the mini p5b. The colour I have in mind is a Ford colour



The number plate will be the same engraved mirror line black and silver like on the Jag.

I think the two cars would sit nicely alongside each other

[craigjm]

gforceg said:

I seem to remember the OP was considering a dark purple for the Jag to start with. It is a very smart type of colour and a slightly brighter version would suit a small car like the GT6. I hope the project gets off the ground.

that’s right but decided the black over red leather was more suitable for the thug in a savile row suit I was aiming for. Learnt quite a few lessons with the Jag too.

[craigjm]

aeropilot said:

Funny you should post that, and as well that I continued to read further before quoting that one, as that was going to be my suggestion for the purple
It's called Purple Velvet Metallic by the way.

Yep it sure is

[craigjm]

healeyfan said:

You have a PM.

Yeah seen that ta

[craigjm]

P5BNij said:

craigjm said:

I remember you showing me the mini p5b. The colour I have in mind is a Ford colour



The number plate will be the same engraved mirror line black and silver like on the Jag.

I think the two cars would sit nicely alongside each other

Looking forward to seeing how this one progresses Craig, best of luck

What size will the Halibrands be by the way..?

No idea yet just kicking ideas around. Launch the XJC in May then see what is about. Guess the original wheels were 13s?

[craigjm]

Thanks guys. Just kicking ideas for now so if you have any other suggestions of what you would do if you bought one (apart from keep it standard make it a museum piece type things) get them out there.

[craigjm]

What is the correct triumph logo of the era? I understand that the laurel leaf badge was late TR and Acclaim etc only.

[craigjm]

aeropilot said:

craigjm said:

What is the correct triumph logo of the era?

I don't think there was one by the Mk3 era, as it was by then BL.

The Mk1 & 2 GT6 era was still the old Triumph shield, but by the early 70's it was all under the infamous BL logo.

I don't the Mk3 GT6 even had a Triumph badge anywhere on it?

That’s what I though. The only logo I have found apart from the boot badge is this one specific to the gt6



Thinking that logo might look good stitched into the headrests I’d say the MX5 seats mentioned earlier

[craigjm]

Yertis said:

On the GT6 itself, and the TR of the same period, TRIUMPH only appeared as an all caps logotype (a generous description) on the numberplate illumination plinth, which sits on the rear bumper, squarish typeface approximately like Eurostile. It is in a different typeface on the service book, and different again on dealer signage. The whole mess was united by the British Leyland logo, used alongside Triumph *sometimes*.

You can tell a lot about the state of an organisation by the state of its branding. On a TR6, "TR6" appears in three different typefaces, all different to how it appears in handbooks, brochures and posters.

Good point! That’s one of the things I like about the mk3 rear, the number plate plinth

[craigjm]

Does anyone know if this seam is removable in some way? Would look much better without it

[craigjm]

Yeah im 5ft 10 so I fit fine. They are tight and small but that’s part of the appeal

Thanks for that info about the rear seam. Something to be done when it’s down at the bare metal then I guess.

Just found this renovation of a TR6 with a BMW M3 engine!

https://www.davintosh.com/2011/08/30/bmwotd-triump...

Edited by craigjm on Thursday 24th January 15:32

[craigjm]

Stevesmg said:

I had this mk2 about 6yrs ago, I think the mk2 is the best shape the colour is how I got it but it's not original but it was like a metallic magenta.
Steve.

I actually prefer the rear of the mk3 I think it looks more “modern”. Although I actually prefer the front of the mk1

[craigjm]

Been discussing this today and the consensus amongst friends appears to be that if doing an engine swap to forget the TR6 engine and go for a BMW 3.0 straight 6 from the E46 era with around 250bhp. Could be worth looking into.

Decision made then I will do this but need to get the Jag on the road first which will hopefully be April May and then can start this towards end of the year.

I’ve learnt so much doing the Jag that I would structure the project differently which would make it faster to achieve

[craigjm]

Thanks for that Jonsey. I shall concentrate on getting the Jag done for summer and then it’s off to find a suitable GT6 mk3