Description

1971 Triumph GT6 Mk3

Fully restored in 2005 and only 4,000 miles since

Dubbed ‘the poor man’s E-Type’ when it first came out in 1966, the GT6 was styled by Giovanni Michelotti in response to a brief from Triumph to make a GT version of the Spitfire. Much more than a Spitfire with a hard top, it had the same 2-litre six-cylinder engine as fitted to the Triumph Vitesse. With 105bhp on tap, it could sprint to 60mph in 10 seconds and topped out at 112mph – figures that comfortably trounced the rival MGB.

The first cars had the same wayward swing-axle rear suspension as the Spitfire and the Herald but this was ditched in the Mk2 versions of 1968 for a more conventional reversed lower wishbones set up. The Mk3 came out in 1970 with a host of detail improvements which mainly improved crash safety and handling.

This GT6 Mk3 was first registered in August 1971. Notes and photos on file show that the car was treated to a ground-up restoration in 2005 by ARG Classic Cars of Bedfordshire which included a rebuilt engine and a reconditioned overdrive gearbox. Old MOTs show that the car has only covered some 4,000 miles since the rebuild. Other invoices attest to subsequent upkeep including new front road springs in 2017, a new brake master cylinder in 2018, a new fuel pump in 2019 and an overhaul of the carbs in 2020.

There is also a compression check from September 2018 which gave the following readings: cylinder 1 – 160psi; 2 – 155psi; 3 – 155psi; 4 – 155psi; 5 – 140psi; 6 – 130psi. A Triumph Sports Six Club Valuation Certificate from around the same date declared most aspects of the car to be in A1+ condition.

In the current ownership since August 2019, the car still looks smart today, with just a few minor blemishes here and there. Supplied with an original owner’s handbook, two sets of keys and a useful quantity of spares, it has been starting promptly and running well as we have moved it around on site.

For more information contact James on 07970 309907 or email james.dennison@brightwells.com