Triumph TR6 – still a Genuine Classic

The Triumph TR6 is one of the finest examples of 1960s car manufacturing, and even today there’s a healthy market for this beautiful sports model. The performance, styling and even the luggage space are impressive, although some critics thought it wasn’t a radical enough change from the TR5.

One look at the magnificent Triumph TR6 is enough to convince anyone that it’s a truly iconic car these days. Even when it was being produced in the 1960s and 1970s it must have seemed to even the most casual observer that this was a classic in the making. Sleek, powerful and exceptionally cool, it remains highly sought-after by collectors everywhere.

For many of us, the first thing that stands out about the TR6 is the radiator grille, which appears to be smiling at you. It’s almost as if the car is welcoming drivers and passengers in readiness for a pleasant drive around the local area. In many ways, the grille introduces the feel-good factor before you’ve even placed the key in the lock and switched on the ignition.

A whole new era or same old, same old?

Although the TR6 sold well when it was first introduced, there was an element of ‘same old, same old’ among many reviewers. The TR series had been developing steadily, but the six wasn’t radically different from the five. It’s perhaps a little strange that it’s regarded as a classic now but was rather more of a run of the mill sports car even in its heyday.

Most convertible sports cars from this era offered about as much luggage space as a matchbox, but the TR6 was pleasingly roomy. The clever design included a boot that proved surprisingly roomy, enabling owners at the time to pack a suitcase and head down to Brighton to watch the Mods and Rockers beating the hell out of each other.

Now regarded as one of the classic British sports cars of its generation, the Triumph TR6 was felt by some to be a little clunky at the time. The steering and gearbox were thought to be rather stiff, but it’s probably this robustness that has enabled so many models to survive to this day. Collectors who search the web for a TR6 will be delighted by the wide choice.

With a top speed at the time of 120mph, it offered plenty of power to the boy racers and the Jackie Stewart wannabes. For drivers who wanted more from the accelerator, however, the E-Type Jaguar (150mph) would have been a better option. For most ordinary mortals, though, the TR6 had all the get up and go they would ever need.

There were more than 90,000 TR6s manufactured at Triumph’s plant in Coventry, and a significant number still remain. These days, there is a healthy market for them, especially on the Internet, so if you’re looking for a TR6 to grace your driveway you only have to log on to the web.