1972 Triumph TR6

Finished in the classic colour scheme of Pimento Red with a black interior, this 1972 Triumph TR6 is the definitive Old School bruiser.

But there’s more to ‘JYC 426K’ than a brutish 150bhp engine, manual overdrive gearbox, and a clever chassis because we understand the coachwork was restored by Hereford Lowbake in 2012, with the interior being retrimmed and the hood replaced in 2019 by Waboo Automotive of Ledbury.

The seller had always fancied owning a TR6, and when he saw this nicely restored example in May 2021, he jumped at the chance to make his dream a reality.

He’s spent the past four years using it gently and improving it along the way, but isn’t now using it as much as he was and thinks it’s a shame to keep a car like this locked up.

Red might be one of the easier colours to maintain but the fact this one still looks this good speaks volumes about both the initial application and its subsequent curation. Still glossy and vibrant, it’s a credit to the folk who applied it to the TR6 as well as those who have owned it since; there aren’t many 13-year-old restorations that still look as good as this.

And the Triumph’s good looks are more than skin deep because the underlying metalwork isn’t only very neatly aligned, it’s also free of the sort of dents, dinks, and other damage along the sides that’s almost impossible to avoid accumulating.

The chrome bumpers are straight and free of rust and pitting; in fact, while there might not be a lot of brightwork, what there is is good and shouldn’t need anything more than a wipe over with Autosol every now and then.

The painted centre-lock wire wheels, which include a matching spare, are from Motor Wheel Services. They’re still in a decent condition and the tyres they’re fitted with are a matching set of Pirelli P6000 that all have very good tread.

We will never get tired of telling you that experience shows that matching high-quality tyres are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly.

The recent, new-in-2019 black vinyl hood fits very well. Taut and clean, it’s also free of any damage with good stitching, clear plastic windows, and a nice sheen to it. It also rises and falls easily, has all its poppers, and tucks away neatly, which is handy because that’s where it’s going to spend most of its time, right?

The lamp lenses are all bright and free of damage, and the badges are shiny and intact.

As for flaws, our in-house assessor identified the following: various chips and corrosion spots on the wire wheels; a couple of small dents on the bonnet; light scratches to the paintwork above the driver’s door handle; a few areas of very light bubbling to the paintwork, which is most noticeable on the boot lid and the bottom of the driver’s door; some white marks on the nearside lower of the roof; and a few small chips to the edges of both doors.

The black seats are in a good condition, with their vinyl coverings being free of rips, tears, and other damage. They have softened slightly over the years but they’re still comfortable and supportive and have plenty of life left in them yet.

The driver has access to a classic black Mota-Lita steering wheel too, and the white-on-black Smiths and Lucas instruments sit in a walnut veneer

The inner lining of the roof is clean and tidy too, although the frame does have a small amount of surface rust on it, most noticeably on the part that sits on the top of the windscreen frame and some of the pivot points.

The carpets are pretty good too, as are the door cards.

The boot is a very good size considering the TR6’s relatively modest footprint. It too is nicely trimmed, and lifting the false floor reveals a full-size matching wire wheel.

Our man’s assessment of the cabin is: “very tidy overall, although there are a few marks and light stains to the seats.”

We’d just add that the standard of the fixtures and fittings is high enough that the slightly patinated instrument bezels and controls stand out more than they might on a car that’s not in such a good condition.

The Concours Motor Company has been looking after the TR6 since 2021, first tuning it and then sorting out some wiring and fuel pipe issues in 2023.

There are also quite a few other invoices on file for parts supplied with the earliest being dated 2017.

The auction listing the seller relied on when he bought the Triumph shows it benefited from the following work:

• January 2018 - engine serviced including a new timing chain and sprockets, new core plugs, a high-performance aluminium radiator with an electric cooling fan, and a Borg and Beck clutch kit with new clutch slave cylinder
• November 2017 – a Rotec exchange alternator
• October 2017 – a new fuel system including a new fuel tank, rebuilt injectors, an exchange metering unit, a new fuel pump, and a service of the fuel filter assembly

We’ve also spotted a stainless-steel exhaust system, and the car sits four-square with a nice stance.

As you can see, it starts easily and settles into a rock-steady idle. It also shows healthy oil pressure and a good charge to the battery – and it does it all with the sort of exhaust note that sends a shiver down your spine.

The underbonnet area are very nicely presented, with well-painted and clean inner wings and bulkhead. The engine itself is good too, and while a few of the steel components and fasteners have some surface rust, sorting that out – assuming, that is, you feel the need at all – would be straightforward and satisfying.

The underside looks to have been nicely undersealed and seems to be good and strong. We did spot some perished rubber boots on things like balljoints for you to get your teeth into but parts for it are generally cheap and readily available.

Speaking of which, the TR6 also comes with a small selection of spares: please see the photos for details.

The TR6 doesn’t have a current MoT certificate, and while it is exempt by virtue of its age, we would strongly encourage the new owner to have it MoT’d at the earliest opportunity. The cost of an MoT is a small investment when offset against the purchase and upkeep of any classic vehicle, and it gives an independent, third-party assessment of the car’s condition, which not only provides reassurance to the owner (and any subsequent purchasers) but might also be invaluable in the event of a bump when negotiating with the police and any interested insurance companies…

The recent Vehicle History Check is clear bar a marker for a change of colour; it shows as originally being yellow before being repainted brown. The V5 registration document also shows it as being brown, so will need altering.

The history file contains the aforementioned invoices plus a bunch of expired MoT certificates, a wiring diagram, the owner’s handbook, a parts catalogue, and a workshop manual.

We usually avoid clichés like the plague but if you’re looking for a hairy-chested British sportscar then this TR6 is right up your street.

Finished in a great colour and holding up very well after a series of restorations, our guide price of between £16,000 and £20,000 represents very good value, especially if you were thinking of buying a basketcase and restoring it yourself, a course of action that might seem like a cost-effective way of doing things but rarely turns out that way.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.