Triumph GT6 opinions wanted. | FerrariChat

Triumph GT6 opinions wanted.

Discussion in 'British' started by cls, Jun 26, 2020.

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  1. cls

    cls Formula 3

    Jun 12, 2007
    1,663
    Los Angeles/Montreal
    Full Name:
    Chris
    My first car was a Triumph spitfire. Bought it for $400, and learned how to work on cars on it. I remember pulling the transmission by bending over and lifting it out of the tunnel by myself. A year or so later, I bought a GT6 for $300. I drove it home, it broke down in the driveway and I eventually abandoned it.

    Then just recently I saw an Aston Martin DB4 Zagato for sale and was instantly reminded of the GT6. Which made me consider getting the GT6 in the near future as a project.

    I haven't driven a 60's car in a while. My oldest was a 246GT '72 which drove like it was on rails. I remember my spitfire driving the same, albeit with less power. Is the GT6 a capable car? I'm not worried about power, there are plenty of solutions for that, but the rear suspension design and leaf spring always have worried me. Is that a reasonable suspension setup, i.e. is it going to be a confident drive when being pushed? It doesn't look like there are any upgrades for the rear that eliminate the leaf spring, like a coil over conversion for a 911.

    Any opinions from present or past owners are welcome.
     
  2. Bluebottle

    Bluebottle F1 Veteran
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    Oct 15, 2012
    7,701
    Newbury, Berkshire, England
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    John
    I'd go for the Aston!:D
     
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  3. cls

    cls Formula 3

    Jun 12, 2007
    1,663
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    Chris
    Have one I can test drive?
     
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  4. Tcar

    Tcar F1 Rookie

    Similar experiences with the Spitfire... I was able to compress the front springs with my bare hands when changing shocks..

    The rear swing axle was not an issue particularly, probably due to how little weight was on the back. I liked the GT-6, more power.
     
  5. Jonny English

    Jonny English Formula Junior

    Jun 14, 2017
    416
    Poole, Dorset
    Full Name:
    Jon
    I bought a spitfire a couple of years ago for sentimental reasons. I love looking at it but not so much driving it as I'm not 20 anymore!
     

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  6. Tcar

    Tcar F1 Rookie

    Oh, also the top on the Spit; it literally was a kit. A bag of assorted metal rods and a rolled up piece of vinyl. Had to be 'assembled' on the car, in the rain.
     
  7. stever

    stever F1 Rookie
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    Apr 18, 2006
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    West. Wisconsin
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    Steve R
    I don't recall my '69 being quite that crude.
     
  8. Jonny English

    Jonny English Formula Junior

    Jun 14, 2017
    416
    Poole, Dorset
    Full Name:
    Jon
    The mechanism was ok, it was mainly the leaks between the hood and the side windows. I used to arrive at work most mornings with a wet right sleeve and sometimes a wet bum!
     
  9. Bluebottle

    Bluebottle F1 Veteran
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    Oct 15, 2012
    7,701
    Newbury, Berkshire, England
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    John
    I had one of those as my DD back in the day. Great little car, if somewhat basic, in which I did many happy miles.:)
     
  10. cls

    cls Formula 3

    Jun 12, 2007
    1,663
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    Chris
    Oh, I remember.
     
  11. cls

    cls Formula 3

    Jun 12, 2007
    1,663
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    Chris
    Great looking though.
     
  12. 348KYD

    348KYD Karting

    Jul 29, 2007
    65
    Bedfordshire, UK
    Full Name:
    Nick
    I have a Mk3 GT6 that I am restoring, but like Jonny I don't think I'll enjoy driving it now as I did back in the day :)
     
  13. TheMayor

    TheMayor Nine Time F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Feb 11, 2008
    98,541
    Vegas baby
    One of my earliest cars, and my first foreign car, was an MGB GT that I bought with my own money. I also learned how to work on cars with it because -- I needed to! :)

    But older British cars make pretty good hobbies. And the size and simplicity makes them completely unique from cars of today. My "B" was not fast but it had a lot of charm.

    It also had a lot of breakdowns to go along with that "charm". :)
     
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  14. Bluebottle

    Bluebottle F1 Veteran
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    Oct 15, 2012
    7,701
    Newbury, Berkshire, England
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    John
    Never owned a B, but had an A as my DD for thee years (successor to my Spitfire). Great car and very reliable. Traded it for a Healey 3000.
     
  15. Tcar

    Tcar F1 Rookie

    I had a Mk I.... '62. The top was definitely a 'kit.

    They made it a true folding top later... Mk III?
     
  16. Bluebottle

    Bluebottle F1 Veteran
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    Oct 15, 2012
    7,701
    Newbury, Berkshire, England
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    John
    Mine, Mk. 4 I think, like the one in the photos, had an easily folding top IRRC.
     
  17. Miltonian

    Miltonian F1 Veteran

    Dec 11, 2002
    5,966
    Milton, Wash.
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    Jeff B.
    I had a Vitesse / Sports Six convertible for many years. Reliable? NO! Dangerous? YES! Rear traction? BWAH HA HA, are you serious? Swing axles with a double dose of swing.

    I had a friend who bought a GT6 new. Probably the poorest built car I've ever seen. A dedicated owner can probably make something decent out of it.
     
  18. calder1

    calder1 F1 Rookie
    Sponsor Owner

    Aug 26, 2006
    2,829
    Redondo Beach
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    Craig
    I had a vitesse convertible when i was 18. I was racing home one day to make sure i made England's game in the world cup and came into a corner a little too quick and did a full 360 spin and ended up in the right direction and continued on without missing a beat, to the on lookers it appeared I did it on purpose but i didn't :eek:
     
  19. buddyg

    buddyg F1 Veteran
    Rossa Subscribed

    Sep 20, 2004
    5,446
    West Michigan
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    Buddy
    I like the looks of the spitfire but you could get out of the car and walk faster!
     
  20. Tcar

    Tcar F1 Rookie

    Nah.... I drove mine all over NM. It did fine and was a ball to drive.
    No issues in thousands of miles.
     

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