Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
Expect to pay between £12,000 to £18,500 for one in average condition
Rust is the primary issue, main culprits are the rear deck and all wings
Parts and specialists are aplenty, making maintenance near MGB levels of easy
The first TR6 rolled off the production line in September 1968, as a 1969 model year car, and were produced until July 1976.
The car was an evolution of the previous TR series cars that came before it. Underneath, the car was similar to the TR5/250, with the same chassis, engines, running gear, doors, windshield, and much of the body tub retained.
On the outside the car evolved extensively from the previous TR series. The re-styled nose and tail bulked up its appearance in comparison to the earlier, more elegant and softer looking TR range. The centre section of the car remained unchanged.
These looks combined with its 2.5-litre straight-six contributed to James May labelling the TR6: "the blokiest bloke's car ever built".
The TR6 came with a four-speed manual and the classic convertible roof as standard. For those who ticked the boxes, overdrive was available as well as a removable hardtop.
Production Numbers
How many Triumph TR6's did they make?
91,850 Triumph TR6s were produced, the majority of which (83,480) went to the United States. The remaining 8,370 were sold in the UK.
How many Triumph TR6's are there in the UK?
According to DVLA data, analysed by The Classic Valuer here, there are 5,068 Triumph TR6's remaining in the UK.
Of those, 4,023 are licensed and on the roads.
The remaining 1,045 cars are SORNd and off the roads.
Value
How much is a Triumph TR6 worth?
Vehicles in below average condition, either in need of restoration or very rough cars, will trade between £3,000 - £12,000.
Vehicles in average condition, the daily drivers of the world, will trade between £12,000 - £18,500.
Vehicles in excellent condition, those where its difficult to spot imperfections but not impossible, will trade between £18,500 and £25,000.
Those vehicles in concours condition will start at £25,000 with the world record for a TR6 sitting at £62,607.
How much was a Triumph TR6 new?
A petrol injection (PI) TR6 cost £1,333 when new in 1969, adjusting for inflation that is £18,434 at the time of writing.
How have prices of Triumph TR6's changed?
TR6 prices have risen steadily, but not crazily, over the past few years.
10 years ago a TR6 in average condition would set you back around £9,500 on average, today that figure is 41% higher.
Even at today's prices the TR6's is a far cheaper than the TR5, TR4, TR3 and TR2 that came before it.
What are common problems with the Triumph TR6?
Engine
The engine is a reliable piece of machinery when maintained properly. Although there are multiple things to look out for when inspecting one.
Overheating was a regular occurrence so most cars have an aftermarket electric radiator. Check the car you're looking at either has this or is not prone to overheating before signing.
The fuel injection system can be troublesome, along with coolant leaks occurring. Keep an ear out for a rough tick over, too.
Transmission
Overdrive on early cars can cause some issues and listen for sloppy shifts or worn synchros to see if the unit is worn.
Suspension
Regular maintenance is needed on the front suspension particularly, so keep the trunnions lubricated. Check the trailing arm mountings to the chassis, also.
Electrics
Nothing out of the ordinary to flag when it comes to the electrics, check everything works as you expect and that the wiring condition is satisfactory.
Bodywork & Chassis
As with many classics rust is the primary issue, if you're seeing bubbling on the surface you can be sure it's even worse below the surface. Spots to pay particular attention to are the rear deck and all wings. Floor panels, bonnet skin, boot lid lip, boot floor and boot sides are all prime spots for issue to occur.
The frame around the trailing arms for the rear suspension too can rust too.
Any issues spotted here will be an extensive repair and repair bill.
Many of the TR6's have been resprayed at some point so if you can find a car that's had one more recently you may be able to save on a potential respray in your ownership.
Panel gaps weren't perfect from factory, particularly so given the volume at which Triumph produced the TR6, but check for any repairs that have been bodged and that the car sits correctly.
Trim
Ensure the hood is in good working order with no obvious leaks and the interior trim is up to standard.
Support
What specialists are available to look after my Triumph TR6?
The great news is there are plenty of specialist around the country who are available to help with keeping your TR6. Some of the main players include:
Vessey Classic Car Services - Barnetby, DN38 6HN
TRGB - Cambridgeshire, PE28 3HJ
T R Bitz - Cheshire, WA16 OSD
Note: The Classic Valuer is not being paid for these references and cannot endorse the quality or service of the above organisations.
How easy is it to get spare parts for Triumph TR6's?
If finding specialists is easy, TR6 parts are even easier. We're heading towards MGB levels of parts suppliers here. This isn't an area for concern.
What owners clubs exist for Triumph TR6's?
There are a handful of clubs out there, the TR Register or Club Triumph provide a vast array of useful information, benefits as well as classifieds for life with a TR6 and Triumph's more broadly.
Note: The Classic Valuer is not being paid for these references and cannot endorse the quality or service of the above organisations.
Performance and Specs
What is the top speed of a Triumph TR6?
The Triumph TR6 has a top speed of 119 mph.
How much horsepower does a Triumph TR6 have?
The petrol-injected Triumph TR6 puts out 150 bhp @ 5,500 rpm.
How much does a Triumph TR6 weigh?
The Triumph TR6 has a kerb weight of 1,130kg.
What engine does a Triumph TR6 have?
The Triumph TR6 had a 2.5-litre straight-six engine.
Will a Triumph TR6 fit in my garage?
The TR6 is 3950mm long by 1550mm wide so would squeeze into a 2m x 4m garage (just).
Full Specifications
Production | 1968 - 1976 |
Body style | 2 door convertible |
Engine | 2.5 litre straight-six |
Power | 150bhp @ 5500rpm |
Torque | 143 lb. ft torque |
Top speed | 120 mph |
0 - 60 mph | 8.2 seconds |
Fuel consumption | 20 - 29 mpg (depending on specification) |
Gearbox | Four-speed manual (optional overdrive) |
Wheelbase | 2235mm |
Length | 3950mm |
Width | 1550mm |
Kerb weight | 1130kg |
Predecessor | Triumph TR250 and TR5 |
Successor |
Similar Cars To Consider
MG C Roadster
In our opinion, the MG C is the pick when it comes to visuals. The MG C is the rarer pick with 9,002 cars rolling off the production line - that's ten times fewer than the TR6 (about half of those 9,000 were roadsters). Prices for an MG C Roadster are very slightly above that of the TR6, but that's the trade off you make for the upsides of the MG.
The interior is more comfortable than the TR6 and the car likes to be driven as if one is not hanging about, the TR6 is more of a touring car cruising along more comfortably below the red line. Given a Series 2 Spider is a similar price point to the TR6, you can have a slice of Italy on your driveway for the same money.
Article Sources:
The Classic Valuer requires articles to use primary sources to support their work. These include white papers, government data, original reporting, and interviews with industry experts. We also reference original research from other reputable publishers where appropriate.
Author Bio:
Giles Gunning
Giles is CEO of The Classic Valuer - one of the world's largest databases of sold classic cars in the world going back over 30 years covering over 11,000 models. Giles and The Classic Valuer are regularly referenced in key classic car publications including Classic & Sports Car.
Giles grew up around the iconic historic motorsport venue at Goodwood and enjoys his 1972 Alfa Romeo 1600 GT Junior around the Sussex roads. His primary car goal is to purchase back a selection of his grandfather's cars including his 1931 Riley Brooklands.
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