Triumph TR6

The Triumph TR6 (1968–76) is a sports car built by British Triumph Motor Company between 1968 and 1976. It was the best-seller of the TR range when production ended, a record subsequently surpassed by the TR7. Of the 91,850 TR6s produced, 83,480 were exported; only 8,370 were sold in the UK.[4]

This article is about the automobile. For the motorcycle of the same name, see Triumph TR6 Trophy.

Triumph TR6
Overview
Manufacturer	Triumph Motor Company
Production	1968–1976
Assembly	Coventry, England
Body and chassis
Class	Roadster
Body style	2 door convertible
Layout	FR layout
Powertrain
Engine	2.5-litre straight-6
Transmission	4-speed manual[1] all synchromesh[2] with optional overdrive[3]
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,235 mm (88.0 in)[1]
Length	3,950 mm (155.5 in)[1]
Width	1,550 mm (61.0 in)[1]
Height	1,270 mm (50.0 in)[1]
Kerb weight	1,130 kg (2,491 lb)[1]
Chronology
Predecessor	Triumph TR5 TR250 (United States and Canada)
Successor	Triumph TR7

The frame, engine, running gear, body tub and doors were similar to the Michelotti-styled TR5[5] (TR250 in the US). The front and rear of the car was restyled by Karmann of Germany, though one source claims the new squared-off Kamm tail design was from an unrelated Michelotti prototype. A new removable hardtop was designed in-house.[6]

Features

All TR6s were powered by Triumph's 2.5-litre straight-6, with the same Lucas mechanical fuel-injection as the TR5 for the United Kingdom and global markets, and carburetted for the United States, as had been the US-only TR250. The TR6PI (petrol-injection) system helped the home-market TR6 produce 150 bhp (110 kW) (152 hp DIN) at model introduction.

The TR6 featured a four-speed manual transmission. An optional electrically switched overdrive operated on second, third, and fourth gears on early models and third and fourth on later ones. Construction was traditional frame. Other features included semi-trailing arm independent rear suspension, rack and pinion steering, 15-inch (380 mm) wheels and Michelin asymmetric XAS tyres which dramatically improved the handling, pile carpet on floors and trunk/boot, bucket seats, and full instrumentation. Brakes were discs at the front and drums at the rear. A factory steel hardtop was optional, requiring two people to deploy. The dashboard was walnut veneer. Other factory options included a rear anti-roll bar and a limited-slip differential.

The UK version TR6PI could accelerate from zero to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 8.2 seconds and had a top speed of 120 mph (190 km/h) according to Autocar magazine.[7]

As of 2016, approximately 3400 licensed for use and 1300 temporarily stored SORN TR6s were registered with the DVLA in the UK.[8]

Gallery

• Triumph TR6 Gallery
• 
  The 2.5-l inline 6 engine of a carbureted TR6
• 
  TR6 left-hand drive interior
• 
  TR6 side view
• 
  TR6 rear quarter view
• 
  TR6 with optional removable hardtop
• 
  1972 and 1974 TR6

References

1. "1969 Triumph TR6". carfolio.com. Retrieved 1 January 2008.
2. "Autotest: Triumph TR6 PI". Autocar. 130. Vol. (nbr3818). 17 April 1969. pp. 2–6.
3. "British Motor Heritage Limited". Retrieved 18 February 2015.
4. vtr.org. "A History of the TR6". Archived from the original on 30 November 2010. Retrieved 11 October 2010.
5. "Autotest: Triumph TR6 PI". Autocar. 130. No. nbr3818. 17 April 1969. pp. 2–6. …so Karmann Ghia were consulted for a quick rejuvenating process, and the result is a kind of smoothed out TR with fashionable and effective use of matte black for the radiator grill and undercut tail panel
6. Taylor, James (1997). Triumph TR. Osecola, WI 54020, USA: Motorworks International Publishers & Wholesalers. p. 89. ISBN 0-7603-0407-6.CS1 maint: location (link)
7. Autocar, full road test 1969
8. "How Many Left web site". howmanyleft.co.uk. Retrieved 17 July 2011.