1972 Triumph TR6: A Piece of Automotive History
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- Опубліковано 17 кві 2020
- I got the chance to drive a well-preserved 1972 Triumph TR6 today...how could I turn that down? A 2.5 liter straight 6 with carburation, a 4-speed manual gearbox, and rear-wheel-drive. Did I mention that it weighs nothing? Check out this amazing British Racing Green classic. About 85,000 were built, and 90% went to export markets like the US. What a blast to drive!
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I had a '71 new. A lot of memories, but I can't recall the feeling of opening the trunk. it had the TR6 graphic in back, wires and Redlines.
As others have mentioned (1) if the engine is cold you need to give it some choke so it doesn't stall (it's the knob on the far right that you weren't sure about) and (2) the TR4/4A/250 were styled by Michelotti but he was too busy on other jobs (e.g. Triumph Stag + 2.5 PI/2500) when Triumph asked him to give it an update in the late 60s so they gave the job to Karmann in Germany who, as you and James May have pointed out, did an excellent job and gave it a more modern, squared-off, masculine look. The task was difficult because Karmann had to produce a new body style while retaining much of the original structure. The windscreen, inner panels, floors and doors carried over from the TR4/4A/250 but the Karmann restyle included a new nose, wings/fenders and 'Kamm' tail. Karmann did the redesign and retooling in 14 months. Produced between 1969 and 1976, the TR6 became the best-selling Triumph at the time with 91,850 units made. 83.480 were exported (the majority to America) with only 8,370 sold in the UK (of those approx. 5,300 are left in the UK). The early UK TR6s + TR5s had Lucas mechanical fuel injection instead of carbs which gave them 150 BHP compared to the emissions-strangled US-spec cars with twin Strombergs, which had 25% less power or 104 BHP. This meant that while the UK cars could do 0-60 in 8 seconds and nudge 120, the US-spec cars struggled to make 10 seconds and 110. Changing the cam, headers and fitting Webers will all increase the HP. Regarding legroom, I am 5'11 and I had a TR4A which is the same body size as the TR6 and if you slide the seat all the way back you should have plenty of legroom. Maybe the seat runners were stuck? Also, overdrive was offered as an option which effectively gave the car a fifth gear but not all US buyers opted for it because gas was cheap back then, but it definitely makes a difference for quieter highway cruising and better fuel economy.
Finally, you live in a beautiful area/neighborhood with lots of space, trees and greenery. I'm envious (I live in small, overcrowded, wet UK). What part of California if you don't mind me asking?
The TR6 design was done by Karman too. Michelotti, who was the designer for the TR4, was unavailable.
Must have had a seat adjustment issue I fit in mine no issues and I'm 6ft 3 & you did a driving test with the top up? kinda missed the point of the car.
It wasn’t my car, and I only had it for 30 minutes...had to make it work in that time frame.
I AM 6' 4'' and had a little accident did not get to the break fast enough and the guy in front of me lost his wig. MIATA IS A BETTER CAR
Cold start requires you pull the manual choke.
Far right knob
I'm 6-1 with 34" inseam and have more than enough legroom. Double check your seat rails
My favourite Triumph! When I was a kid I always said that I'd get one. Hasn't come true, yet! That one is in beautiful condition. Must be from the South. All BL's up here just dissolved. They've become a very rare beast!
It was great! And it’s a California car. We don’t get much rust here but I bet all the local ones sold here are gone, too...
I just bought my 4th TR6...
They cruised nicely on the freeway also, especially when they were fitted with Overdrive. Unfortunately not many Americans opted for this extra, as fuel was only a few cents a gallon back then.
I can totally believe that. It drove really well, and it was obviously my first time ever driving one.
Man I love the color of the car
It’s perfect.
V8 Streetspeed British racing green mate you can’t top it
Yes, for sure!
TR7 was a 4 cylinder. Always have the roof down! Use the choke, you’ll mess up the SUs
Actually the TR6 was not designed be Michelotti but rather it was restyled and given its butch masculine appearance by Karmann.
Doug, I'm the proud recipient of a very rusty TR6 that is in dire need of restoration and I must admit that this video is an inspiration. By the way, I stand at 5 foot 7, so it may even be the right fight. I cringe at the thought of dealing with Lucas electrics.
Thanks for the kind words, and good luck with those Lucas wires!!
Oops, I wrote fight for fit. The damn spell check needs to stop changing my spelling. Sometimes smart technology is stupid.
@@buckwheatINtheCity Apparently there was an issue with the seat adjuster in the one I drove and there is more space available...when it works! And yes...I have autocorrect turned off for that very reason. Any mistakes are mine alone!
Trafficator seems to clear traffic nicely
Seems to do the job!
I just purchased this car today. Thanks Doug for showing the highlights of this beautiful car. Heading to it's new home in Charlotte, NC.
Oh great! I obviously enjoyed my first and only drive in it immensely! I know it’ll be a great car for years to come 😀
@@DougsCars Keep up the great work, enjoyed your review!
L3Learning Thanks!!
The center knobs are heater fan, heat, floor heat or defrost and engine choke
Thanks! As you can imagine, the manual is long gone from the car.
"this would really be loud" LOL!
LOUD!!!
If it ain't shakin then you ain't main speed in a TR6 :).
Hehehehehe
the far rigt knob is the cold start, choque
Thanks!!
Choke...and that's what it needed when he started it
is this car for sale?
Do you plan on doing any improvements to the Rover?
Yes, I’m in the process of refinishing the interior wood trim. Mainly because it was flaking off everywhere and making a mess.
@@DougsCars Great, love those Rovers
Drove it a bit today after the rain. Didn’t like idling in drive...sigh. Will have to mess with that at some point. So many projects right now!
@@DougsCars You should watch the last episode of Salvage Hunters / Classic Cars. He goes to Spain and purchases a 2 door County Land Rover
Mike Proctor I’ve been meaning to watch that...thanks for giving me a great reason to!
Is this your car? Did you rent it for the day!
No, not mine. It was on loan for a couple of hours.
I had one almost just like it a72 it was a fun beautiful car i stupidly sold it to go 4 wheeling with my friend in 79 i got a 72 Toyota LC then the Carter gas crunch happened and gas doubled over night and the LC only got 10 mpg so i had to go but how i wished i had kept the TR6
That LC would be fun to still have, too!
@@DougsCars
Im 76 and have had few cars i wished i kept but at the.time the Tr6 was just a car not collectible yet
Its seems now any 50 60 year old car is collectable even ones you couldnt even give away go figure
@@mgman6000 Nostalgia is strong!
body designed by Karman and built by Triumph
Michelotti didn't design the 6!!!!
Indeed.
@@DougsCars But you were close, Karmann did the design not the build lol
@@tomcollier2444 It's amazing how confidently ignorant he was about everything he said. Bravo!
Hi Doug nice video. I have a 1973 one with fuel injection and I love it (great engine note, but more power than the one you drove) I think it started pretty well, considering you didn't pull out the choke! One point, the Triumph TR6 was designed by Karmann, not Michelotti -Michelotti was too busy at the time. The curvier Triumph models were by Michelotti like the TR4 and Spitfire. I think the TR6 styling is great, more down to earth-German efficiency! Over here Steve Denton has a chennel featuring the old Triumphs-this is us working on and then driving my TR6. Keep safe!
Phil
ua-cam.com/video/txMRZQtt8XM/v-deo.html
I had no idea it even had a choke! Those knobs aren’t labeled well 🤣 It is a beautiful ride, thanks for the info, and I’ll check out those videos!
A 1972 TR6 should have stencil "TR6" badges and NOT the Union Jack decals
I saw the last of them going to you over there on a car transporter love from oxford England 🏴
Thanks, what an amazing memory!
It was and it was after they announced production had finished
Joyce Miller 1976 or so?
Yes about then did some work in a triumph garage and on a test drive went with a mechanic flat out in a tr5 magic
Joyce Miller Good times!
theres a manual choke!!!!!
It would’ve been great to know that beforehand, or to have it labeled properly!
Just throw caution to the wind and put your foot down mate and enjoy the ride that’s how the car was designed back in the day
If only it was mine!! Had to be nice to someone else’s ride 😀
For sure mate I understand it’s just amazing the amount of Americans that like English motors it’s like English people that like American motors so quirky
So true! And I’m very glad that because of this channel I’ve been able to experience those British cars.
Carry on mate there’s loads of British motors out there that They have had bad press over the years back in the day but people have Improved them and made them lovely motors to drive
Not to mention all of the European cars German and Swedish that the American like Italian and the odd occasional Fiat
very nice looking but it's a money pits
Definitely need to work on it yourself
@@DougsCars I had a red one and many other mg ,spit fire not good for CANADA
I imagine rust is an issue there.
Do you complain about everything ?????? Be happy my God
slide the seat back man, critic of cars and........
It wouldn’t go back any further 🤣
@@DougsCars That's really to bad, because one of the things Triumph can boast is leg room! Not much horsepower but they really don't need it. They get up and go for weight ratio. Lot's of enjoyment for sure. I've owned a Spitfire and have been in a TR6 and those cars , although small, have a long stance. Maybe next time. 😃 and put the top down! Peace friend, ya missed out and that bums me out for you!
Erick Gregory It was a lot of fun for sure! I only had the car for less than half an hour, so I did the best I could within that time frame. I’d love to have one for a day or longer!
This guy doesn't know this car at all. Why is he reviewing it? He doesn't even know what the choke and heater controls are...
Thou shall not blow lines before making a UA-cam video.
I’ll take that under advisement.
@@DougsCars lol my man!
prutz9092002 Ha!