Triumph TR6

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
Layout FR layout
Powertrain
Engine 2,498 cc (2.5 l) I6
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 TR250 (United States and Canada)
Triumph TR5 (rest of the world)
Successor Triumph TR7

The Triumph TR6 (1968–76) is a British six-cylinder sports car and the best-seller of the TR range built by Triumph when production ended in July 1976. This record was then surpassed by the TR7. Of the 94,619 TR6s produced, 86,249 were exported; only 8,370 were sold in the UK.[4]

The bodywork closely resembled that of the previous model, the Triumph TR5, but the front and back ends were squared off, reportedly based on a consultancy contract involving Karmann. This is referred to as a Kamm tail, which was very common during 1970s era of cars and a feature on most Triumphs. The body shape was similar to the TR4/TR5 except for the rear and front.[5]

All TR6 sports cars featured inline six-cylinder engines. For the US market the engine was carburetted, as had been the US-only TR250 engine. Like the TR5, the TR6 was fuel-injected for other world markets including the United Kingdom, hence the TR6PI (petrol-injection) designation. The Lucas mechanical fuel injection system helped the home-market TR6 produce 150 bhp (110 kW) (145 hp DIN) at model introduction. Later, the non-US TR6 variant was detuned to 125 bhp (93 kW) for it to be easier to drive, while the US variant continued to be carburetted with a mere (but more reliable) 104 hp (78 kW).

The TR6 featured a four-speed manual transmission. An optional overdrive unit was a desirable feature because it gave drivers close gearing for aggressive driving with an electrically switched overdrive which could operate on second, third, and fourth gears on early models and third and fourth on later models because of constant gearbox failures in second at high revs. Both provided "long legs" for open motorways. TR6 also featured semi-trailing arm independent rear suspension, rack and pinion steering, 15-inch (380 mm) wheels and tires, pile carpet on floors and trunk/boot, bucket seats, and a full complement of instrumentation. Braking was accomplished by disc brakes at the front and drum brakes at the rear. A factory steel hardtop was optional, requiring two people to fit it. TR6 construction was fundamentally old-fashioned: the body was bolted onto a frame instead of the two being integrated into a unibody structure; the TR6 dashboard was wooden (plywood with 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.[6]

As of Q1 2016, approximately 3400 licensed and 1300 SORN TR6s were registered with the DVLA in the UK.[7]

Some say that the car is one of Leyland's best achievements, but a number of issues were present and remain because of poor design. These issues include a low level radiator top-up bottle and a poor hand-brake. As is the case with other cars of the era, the TR6 can suffer from rust issues, although surviving examples tend to be well-cared for. The TR6 can be prone to overheating. Many owners fit an aftermarket electric radiator fan to supplement or replace the original engine-driven fan. Also the Leyland factory option of an oil cooler existed. Parts and services to support ownership of a TR6 are readily available and a number of classic car owners' clubs cater for the model.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "1969 Triumph TR6". carfolio.com. Retrieved 2008-01-01.
  2. ↑ "Autotest: Triumph TR6 PI". Autocar. 130. Vol. (nbr3818). 17 April 1969. pp. 2–6.
  3. ↑ "British Motor Heritage Limited". Retrieved 2015-02-18.
  4. ↑ vtr.org. "A History of the TR6". Retrieved 2010-10-11.
  5. ↑ "Autotest: Triumph TR6 PI". Autocar. 130. Vol. (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. ↑ Autocar, full road test 1969
  7. ↑ "How Many Left web site". www.howmanyleft.co.uk. Retrieved 2011-07-17.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Triumph TR6.
Triumph Motor Company timeline, 1946 to 1984 — a marque of British Leyland
type 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s
6789 0123456789 0123456789 0123456789 01234
Small family car Mayflower Herald
Toledo Acclaim
TR-10 1300 1500 1500 TC
Vitesse Dolomite
Large family car 1800 Town & Country 2000 Saloon Renown 2000 / 2.5 PI 2000 / 2.5 PI / 2500
Convertible Stag
Grand tourer Italia GT6
Sports car Spitfire
Roadster TR2 TR3 TR3A TR3B TR7
TR4 TR4A
TR5 TR6 TR8
TR250
Prototypes and cancelled projects:
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