1972 Triumph TR6: A Piece of Automotive History

Автокөліктер мен көлік құралдары

I got the chance to drive a well-preserved 1972 Triumph TR6 today...how could I turn that down? A 2.5 liter straight 6 with carburation, a 4-speed manual gearbox, and rear-wheel-drive. Did I mention that it weighs nothing? Check out this amazing British Racing Green classic. About 85,000 were built, and 90% went to export markets like the US. What a blast to drive!

Пікірлер: 91

  • @raybarkman9097
    @raybarkman9097 Жыл бұрын

    I had a '71 new. A lot of memories, but I can't recall the feeling of opening the trunk. it had the TR6 graphic in back, wires and Redlines.

  • @sugoidessho
    @sugoidessho2 жыл бұрын

    As others have mentioned (1) if the engine is cold you need to give it some choke so it doesn't stall (it's the knob on the far right that you weren't sure about) and (2) the TR4/4A/250 were styled by Michelotti but he was too busy on other jobs (e.g. Triumph Stag + 2.5 PI/2500) when Triumph asked him to give it an update in the late 60s so they gave the job to Karmann in Germany who, as you and James May have pointed out, did an excellent job and gave it a more modern, squared-off, masculine look. The task was difficult because Karmann had to produce a new body style while retaining much of the original structure. The windscreen, inner panels, floors and doors carried over from the TR4/4A/250 but the Karmann restyle included a new nose, wings/fenders and 'Kamm' tail. Karmann did the redesign and retooling in 14 months. Produced between 1969 and 1976, the TR6 became the best-selling Triumph at the time with 91,850 units made. 83.480 were exported (the majority to America) with only 8,370 sold in the UK (of those approx. 5,300 are left in the UK). The early UK TR6s + TR5s had Lucas mechanical fuel injection instead of carbs which gave them 150 BHP compared to the emissions-strangled US-spec cars with twin Strombergs, which had 25% less power or 104 BHP. This meant that while the UK cars could do 0-60 in 8 seconds and nudge 120, the US-spec cars struggled to make 10 seconds and 110. Changing the cam, headers and fitting Webers will all increase the HP. Regarding legroom, I am 5'11 and I had a TR4A which is the same body size as the TR6 and if you slide the seat all the way back you should have plenty of legroom. Maybe the seat runners were stuck? Also, overdrive was offered as an option which effectively gave the car a fifth gear but not all US buyers opted for it because gas was cheap back then, but it definitely makes a difference for quieter highway cruising and better fuel economy. Finally, you live in a beautiful area/neighborhood with lots of space, trees and greenery. I'm envious (I live in small, overcrowded, wet UK). What part of California if you don't mind me asking?

  • @MrRdb1963
    @MrRdb19634 жыл бұрын

    Must have had a seat adjustment issue I fit in mine no issues and I'm 6ft 3 & you did a driving test with the top up? kinda missed the point of the car.

  • @DougsCars

    @DougsCars

    4 жыл бұрын

    It wasn’t my car, and I only had it for 30 minutes...had to make it work in that time frame.

  • @pierrebeausoleil5885

    @pierrebeausoleil5885

    2 жыл бұрын

    I AM 6' 4'' and had a little accident did not get to the break fast enough and the guy in front of me lost his wig. MIATA IS A BETTER CAR

  • @zekehanscom5869
    @zekehanscom58699 ай бұрын

    The TR6 design was done by Karman too. Michelotti, who was the designer for the TR4, was unavailable.

  • @edkonstantellis9094
    @edkonstantellis90942 жыл бұрын

    Cold start requires you pull the manual choke. Far right knob I'm 6-1 with 34" inseam and have more than enough legroom. Double check your seat rails

  • @ruben_glz-fr8sb
    @ruben_glz-fr8sb4 жыл бұрын

    Man I love the color of the car

  • @DougsCars

    @DougsCars

    4 жыл бұрын

    It’s perfect.

  • @leslierhodes5467

    @leslierhodes5467

    4 жыл бұрын

    V8 Streetspeed British racing green mate you can’t top it

  • @DougsCars

    @DougsCars

    4 жыл бұрын

    Yes, for sure!

  • @rafthejaf8789
    @rafthejaf87892 жыл бұрын

    Actually the TR6 was not designed be Michelotti but rather it was restyled and given its butch masculine appearance by Karmann.

  • @thomasdu77y
    @thomasdu77y4 жыл бұрын

    "this would really be loud" LOL!

  • @DougsCars

    @DougsCars

    4 жыл бұрын

    LOUD!!!

  • @timgarner5490
    @timgarner549010 ай бұрын

    is this car for sale?

  • @MyJon64
    @MyJon643 жыл бұрын

    They cruised nicely on the freeway also, especially when they were fitted with Overdrive. Unfortunately not many Americans opted for this extra, as fuel was only a few cents a gallon back then.

  • @DougsCars

    @DougsCars

    3 жыл бұрын

    I can totally believe that. It drove really well, and it was obviously my first time ever driving one.

  • @alexandermckay8594
    @alexandermckay85944 жыл бұрын

    My favourite Triumph! When I was a kid I always said that I'd get one. Hasn't come true, yet! That one is in beautiful condition. Must be from the South. All BL's up here just dissolved. They've become a very rare beast!

  • @DougsCars

    @DougsCars

    4 жыл бұрын

    It was great! And it’s a California car. We don’t get much rust here but I bet all the local ones sold here are gone, too...

  • @ulbruce

    @ulbruce

    2 жыл бұрын

    I just bought my 4th TR6...

  • @barryd0wl1ng
    @barryd0wl1ng2 ай бұрын

    TR7 was a 4 cylinder. Always have the roof down! Use the choke, you’ll mess up the SUs

  • @johnnorth9355
    @johnnorth93554 жыл бұрын

    If it ain't shakin then you ain't main speed in a TR6 :).

  • @DougsCars

    @DougsCars

    4 жыл бұрын

    Hehehehehe

  • @buckwheatINtheCity
    @buckwheatINtheCity3 жыл бұрын

    Doug, I'm the proud recipient of a very rusty TR6 that is in dire need of restoration and I must admit that this video is an inspiration. By the way, I stand at 5 foot 7, so it may even be the right fight. I cringe at the thought of dealing with Lucas electrics.

  • @DougsCars

    @DougsCars

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for the kind words, and good luck with those Lucas wires!!

  • @buckwheatINtheCity

    @buckwheatINtheCity

    3 жыл бұрын

    Oops, I wrote fight for fit. The damn spell check needs to stop changing my spelling. Sometimes smart technology is stupid.

  • @DougsCars

    @DougsCars

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@buckwheatINtheCity Apparently there was an issue with the seat adjuster in the one I drove and there is more space available...when it works! And yes...I have autocorrect turned off for that very reason. Any mistakes are mine alone!

  • @mrbwa1
    @mrbwa14 жыл бұрын

    Trafficator seems to clear traffic nicely

  • @DougsCars

    @DougsCars

    4 жыл бұрын

    Seems to do the job!

  • @l3learning85
    @l3learning854 жыл бұрын

    I just purchased this car today. Thanks Doug for showing the highlights of this beautiful car. Heading to it's new home in Charlotte, NC.

  • @DougsCars

    @DougsCars

    4 жыл бұрын

    Oh great! I obviously enjoyed my first and only drive in it immensely! I know it’ll be a great car for years to come 😀

  • @l3learning85

    @l3learning85

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@DougsCars Keep up the great work, enjoyed your review!

  • @DougsCars

    @DougsCars

    4 жыл бұрын

    L3Learning Thanks!!

  • @mikeproctor3664
    @mikeproctor36644 жыл бұрын

    Do you plan on doing any improvements to the Rover?

  • @DougsCars

    @DougsCars

    4 жыл бұрын

    Yes, I’m in the process of refinishing the interior wood trim. Mainly because it was flaking off everywhere and making a mess.

  • @mikeproctor3664

    @mikeproctor3664

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@DougsCars Great, love those Rovers

  • @DougsCars

    @DougsCars

    4 жыл бұрын

    Drove it a bit today after the rain. Didn’t like idling in drive...sigh. Will have to mess with that at some point. So many projects right now!

  • @mikeproctor3664

    @mikeproctor3664

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@DougsCars You should watch the last episode of Salvage Hunters / Classic Cars. He goes to Spain and purchases a 2 door County Land Rover

  • @DougsCars

    @DougsCars

    4 жыл бұрын

    Mike Proctor I’ve been meaning to watch that...thanks for giving me a great reason to!

  • @carloskeim
    @carloskeim4 жыл бұрын

    the far rigt knob is the cold start, choque

  • @DougsCars

    @DougsCars

    4 жыл бұрын

    Thanks!!

  • @neuralyser

    @neuralyser

    3 жыл бұрын

    Choke...and that's what it needed when he started it

  • @daveunderhill9636
    @daveunderhill96364 жыл бұрын

    The center knobs are heater fan, heat, floor heat or defrost and engine choke

  • @DougsCars

    @DougsCars

    4 жыл бұрын

    Thanks! As you can imagine, the manual is long gone from the car.

  • @nealskula3997
    @nealskula39974 жыл бұрын

    Is this your car? Did you rent it for the day!

  • @DougsCars

    @DougsCars

    4 жыл бұрын

    No, not mine. It was on loan for a couple of hours.

  • @mgman6000
    @mgman60003 жыл бұрын

    I had one almost just like it a72 it was a fun beautiful car i stupidly sold it to go 4 wheeling with my friend in 79 i got a 72 Toyota LC then the Carter gas crunch happened and gas doubled over night and the LC only got 10 mpg so i had to go but how i wished i had kept the TR6

  • @DougsCars

    @DougsCars

    3 жыл бұрын

    That LC would be fun to still have, too!

  • @mgman6000

    @mgman6000

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@DougsCars Im 76 and have had few cars i wished i kept but at the.time the Tr6 was just a car not collectible yet Its seems now any 50 60 year old car is collectable even ones you couldnt even give away go figure

  • @DougsCars

    @DougsCars

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@mgman6000 Nostalgia is strong!

  • @andybroer651
    @andybroer6512 ай бұрын

    A 1972 TR6 should have stencil "TR6" badges and NOT the Union Jack decals

  • @96mgturbo
    @96mgturbo4 жыл бұрын

    Hi Doug nice video. I have a 1973 one with fuel injection and I love it (great engine note, but more power than the one you drove) I think it started pretty well, considering you didn't pull out the choke! One point, the Triumph TR6 was designed by Karmann, not Michelotti -Michelotti was too busy at the time. The curvier Triumph models were by Michelotti like the TR4 and Spitfire. I think the TR6 styling is great, more down to earth-German efficiency! Over here Steve Denton has a chennel featuring the old Triumphs-this is us working on and then driving my TR6. Keep safe! Phil kzread.info/dash/bejne/pqyBtLyKpNeeiLA.html

  • @DougsCars

    @DougsCars

    4 жыл бұрын

    I had no idea it even had a choke! Those knobs aren’t labeled well 🤣 It is a beautiful ride, thanks for the info, and I’ll check out those videos!

  • @tomcollier2444
    @tomcollier24444 жыл бұрын

    Michelotti didn't design the 6!!!!

  • @DougsCars

    @DougsCars

    4 жыл бұрын

    Indeed.

  • @tomcollier2444

    @tomcollier2444

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@DougsCars But you were close, Karmann did the design not the build lol

  • @stevepss

    @stevepss

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@tomcollier2444 It's amazing how confidently ignorant he was about everything he said. Bravo!

  • @nobodyinparticular1093
    @nobodyinparticular10932 жыл бұрын

    body designed by Karman and built by Triumph

  • @jamesdemestihas9904
    @jamesdemestihas99043 жыл бұрын

    theres a manual choke!!!!!

  • @DougsCars

    @DougsCars

    3 жыл бұрын

    It would’ve been great to know that beforehand, or to have it labeled properly!

  • @joycemiller4716
    @joycemiller47164 жыл бұрын

    I saw the last of them going to you over there on a car transporter love from oxford England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

  • @DougsCars

    @DougsCars

    4 жыл бұрын

    Thanks, what an amazing memory!

  • @joycemiller4716

    @joycemiller4716

    4 жыл бұрын

    It was and it was after they announced production had finished

  • @DougsCars

    @DougsCars

    4 жыл бұрын

    Joyce Miller 1976 or so?

  • @joycemiller4716

    @joycemiller4716

    4 жыл бұрын

    Yes about then did some work in a triumph garage and on a test drive went with a mechanic flat out in a tr5 magic

  • @DougsCars

    @DougsCars

    4 жыл бұрын

    Joyce Miller Good times!

  • @leslierhodes5467
    @leslierhodes54674 жыл бұрын

    Just throw caution to the wind and put your foot down mate and enjoy the ride that’s how the car was designed back in the day

  • @DougsCars

    @DougsCars

    4 жыл бұрын

    If only it was mine!! Had to be nice to someone else’s ride 😀

  • @leslierhodes5467

    @leslierhodes5467

    4 жыл бұрын

    For sure mate I understand it’s just amazing the amount of Americans that like English motors it’s like English people that like American motors so quirky

  • @DougsCars

    @DougsCars

    4 жыл бұрын

    So true! And I’m very glad that because of this channel I’ve been able to experience those British cars.

  • @leslierhodes5467

    @leslierhodes5467

    4 жыл бұрын

    Carry on mate there’s loads of British motors out there that They have had bad press over the years back in the day but people have Improved them and made them lovely motors to drive

  • @leslierhodes5467

    @leslierhodes5467

    4 жыл бұрын

    Not to mention all of the European cars German and Swedish that the American like Italian and the odd occasional Fiat

  • @pierrebeausoleil5885
    @pierrebeausoleil58852 жыл бұрын

    very nice looking but it's a money pits

  • @DougsCars

    @DougsCars

    2 жыл бұрын

    Definitely need to work on it yourself

  • @pierrebeausoleil5885

    @pierrebeausoleil5885

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@DougsCars I had a red one and many other mg ,spit fire not good for CANADA

  • @DougsCars

    @DougsCars

    2 жыл бұрын

    I imagine rust is an issue there.

  • @bodieb.1239
    @bodieb.12392 жыл бұрын

    Do you complain about everything ?????? Be happy my God

  • @erickgregoryful
    @erickgregoryful4 жыл бұрын

    slide the seat back man, critic of cars and........

  • @DougsCars

    @DougsCars

    4 жыл бұрын

    It wouldn’t go back any further 🤣

  • @erickgregoryful

    @erickgregoryful

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@DougsCars That's really to bad, because one of the things Triumph can boast is leg room! Not much horsepower but they really don't need it. They get up and go for weight ratio. Lot's of enjoyment for sure. I've owned a Spitfire and have been in a TR6 and those cars , although small, have a long stance. Maybe next time. 😃 and put the top down! Peace friend, ya missed out and that bums me out for you!

  • @DougsCars

    @DougsCars

    4 жыл бұрын

    Erick Gregory It was a lot of fun for sure! I only had the car for less than half an hour, so I did the best I could within that time frame. I’d love to have one for a day or longer!

  • @ulbruce
    @ulbruce2 жыл бұрын

    This guy doesn't know this car at all. Why is he reviewing it? He doesn't even know what the choke and heater controls are...

  • @prutz9092002
    @prutz90920024 жыл бұрын

    Thou shall not blow lines before making a KZread video.

  • @DougsCars

    @DougsCars

    4 жыл бұрын

    I’ll take that under advisement.

  • @prutz9092002

    @prutz9092002

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@DougsCars lol my man!

  • @DougsCars

    @DougsCars

    4 жыл бұрын

    prutz9092002 Ha!

Келесі