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GT6 Advice on a 1969 Triumph GT6

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77_MG_Midget

77_MG_Midget

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Well, I'm venturing away from the spridget forum for some information on a Triumph.

I guy I know is GIVING away a 1969 Triumph GT6. I haven't seen it yet, so don't know it's condition. Is anyone familiar with this car? Type of engine/transmission etc. What is the parts availability like? is it a car worth undertaking a restore on? What if there is no engine or trans? Can they still be found? Thanks in advance.
 
the engine is very similar to the tr6 engine. they share the same block and cylinder head. the one you are looking at should be the gt6+ i believe, which is the best for engine and transmission. the engine should be the late model one which will have the more desirable cylinder head with the wide ports, which flows better. the differences between the engines is the gt6 is 2.0liters and the tr6 2.5 liters. this is done with a different crankshaft, connecting rods, and pistons. if you need an engine you will be able to find one, if not gt6 then you can put in a tr6 engine with a couple of minor modifications, if you need to do this let me know and i will tell you how to do this. the transmission and rear ends are weak. the transmission was severly overstressed being designed for the spitfire and beefed up for the gt6. they are different transmissions and the gt6 tranny is pretty rare, probably the rarest part of the car. they are notoriously weak and are damaged easily. if you need the transmission and cant find one let me know becaue i have a toyota transmission that i modified to work in a gt6. (i had a gt6 project before i found a running tr6) the rear end is the same as the spitfire with a different ratio. almost all parts are pretty easily found for this car. try spitbits.com or victoria british. most assemblies are the same as spitfire parts so it will be easy to find things. if you need any help with this let me know since i know what parts are interchangable between gt6 and spitfire. as far as being worth restoring, financially probably not. if you like the car then restore it. the gt6 is pretty rare but even so they generally dont go for much money, in fact the tr6 in worse shape will probably sell for more since it is more desireable. the reason for this is the tr series was built much stronger than the spit/gt6. the gt6 is a great handling car and should absolutely dust a tr6 in a race. i hope all this helps, if you have an more questions let me know.
Randy
 
From an entirely financial perspective: the answer to " is it a car worth undertaking a restore on?" depends on how much work the car needs.

If you need to do rust repair, plus an engine/tranny rebuild (or buy replacements,) the costs are probably higher than buying a good, running GT6. As a general rule, you will never come out ahead financially with a restoration than you would just buying a restored car. (There are some exceptions, but they are very few and far between.)

BUT, in terms of a non-economic perspective, the GT6 is a gorgeous car. It is not really rare, but on the other hand, you can go years without seeing one on the road (with the exception of on your way to the All-British show.)

So if you can get one for free, it's at least worth taking to tinker on...and if it's too far gone to restore, get it to someone who is restoring one currently for a parts car.

Hopefully it's not too far gone. The '69 GT6 is the best one!
 
I agree. I've always had a hankerin' for a GT+. It looks so right in a very "gnarly" British way.
If its from Las Vegas how bad can it be? Rust is the enemy.
 
Thanks everyone for your input. I spoke to the owner last night. This was a daily driver until he rear-ended a pickup in it about 7 years ago. It has sat since. According to him, the bonnet was badly damaged and has since been removed from the car. He did say he does not believe there is any frame damage though, it was only sheet metal. But, he also removed the rear end and rear suspension which was donated to another GT6 he owned at the time. The interior is complete, but will need totally restored.

I understand that financially you'll never get out of the car what is put in (I've got almost 7Gs in my midget right now and I'm not done). This is done for the love of the car. However, you could easily spend double what you could by a running car for taking on a project like this. But still, I'd hate to see this car end up in the crusher, which is what the owner indicated would probably happen. Seems like no junk yards here in Las Vegas are interested in the car for parts.
 
Glad to hear that you may be saving another LBC.
 
I can almost guarantee that there will be some frame damage if it rear ended a truck. On the GT6 the bonnet attaches directly to the frame. If it's not too bad, only the hinge mounts will be bent....you can fix those pretty easily. No real good way to tell until you get it home, then you can measure it and be sure. Either way, the GT6 is as lovely car, I am right in the middle of doing a frame up on my 69 GT6 +....I can tell you I will NEVER get my money out of this money pit...still...I love the car.
Good luck, keep us updated.
Mikey
 
well, i looked at the GT6+. in rough shape. needs a front end, tranny, engine rebuild, carbs, rear end, dash, complete interior, windshield. The body is straight and pretty much rust free. Only one bonnet hinge is slightly bent from the accident, otherwise, no frame damage I could see. I need some advice from you guys on whether this is a doable project. Otherwise, the car ends up in the crusher. I like the car, but it's a mess. I've attached a pic of her. I have several more pics if anyone needs to see them to give me an idea of what this may take/cost. Thanks everyone.
 

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John, any project is "do-able", it's just a matter of time and money. Although mine was complete when I got it, it required major surgery on the body, such as both rear quarters, inner and outer sills, a passenger floor, battery box, etc. If this one is essentially rust free, you shouldn't have much to worry about along those lines.
Is the tranny completely missing, or just in need of a rebuild? The carbs shouldn't present a problem to replace, as they are fairly common Stromberg 150SE's.
A lot depends on how much of the work you can do yourself, and how much has to be farmed out.
Jeff
 
no, the tranny is missing. any mechanical/electrical work I can do myself. The only thing I don't do is body work. I guess I'm concerned on parts availablity at this point.
 
Hi,

Say, if you decide not to tackle that GT6 project yourself, the current owner could certainly find a new home for it at his "asking price"!

You might suggest he advertise the car at no cost here (or maybe on www.craigslist.com). I'm sure would get good responses and interest.

Of course, that's assuming you don't decide you want to undertake the project yourself. At any rate, I'm sure the car can avoid "the crusher".

I agree that GT6 are fun cars and I'd personally like to rebuild one myself... some day.

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
Of course, that's assuming you don't decide you want to undertake the project yourself. At any rate, I'm sure the car can avoid "the crusher".

I agree that GT6 are fun cars and I'd personally like to rebuild one myself... some day.

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Agreed. The car looks "doable" to me, but I tend to be an optimist... Lucky for me the car is 2000+ miles away. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
 
I also agree that the car might be "doable"; realistically, though, it looks to me more like the ideal DONOR car for an otherwise complete but rusty GT6+, the kind of car that seems rather more common here in the rust belt Northeast. Thing is, were I to decide to sell same, I've got nearly everything you might need, most of it in the form of a relatively complete and rolling parts car. It's a parts car mostly because the body is very rusted (and because this car was GIVEN to me as a parts car). My point is that it seems that such a car is really what you'd need to complete this one. Rounding up all the needed items otherwise could be quite the challenge (and a potentially expensive one).

Two big problems:

1. I'm toying with mating this with a Spitfire tub I have, and
2. Even if I weren't planning on that project, fact is I'm in the Northeast, and transporting what I have would make no economic sense.

Now if you could just find another GT6+ with heavy rear-end crash damage, you'd really have a project!
 
Well, after sleeping on this for 2 days, I've decided I'm going to try to save this LBC. It turns out the rear axle housing and gears are still there, the only thing missing is the axle shafts. Still going to need a tranny. All gauges are there, interior looks complete, although in really poor shape. I think I've found a front end in Arizona, about 5 hours from me. This will probably be one of those 5 year projects. Luckily, I have the room to store the car for awhile until my Midget rolls out of the garage (hopefully in about 2 months). So, gonna pick the car up within the next 2 weeks and have it towed home. Beware though, when I do begin this project, I'll probably be asking for a lot more advice.... LOL....

Thanks everyone for your replies!
 
The parts are pretty easy to get from places like Victoria British and Spit Bits, but it'll cost you. My GT6 (like Jeff's) needed major reconstructive surgery becuase of rust. Floor panels, inner outer sills...you name it...mine needs it! Although when I bought the car I thought it was in better shape than it was, it was held together with newspaper and fiberglass resin. I personally made the decision to rebuild mine (as a learning project), but unless you have a lot of time, patience and money, you may want to think twice. I'm not trying to disuade you, but these cars can be a lot of work...and a lot of that work IS going to be body work....
If it was me ...I would stay "**** the Torpedoes, Full Speed Ahead"...perhaps that's why I'm always in hot water of some kind.
Good Luck and let us know what happens!
Mikey
 
Well, I figure doing a GT6 can't be any worse than restoring my midget... As for the body work, I guess I'm lucky that I'm only 45 minutes away from one of the Nevada State Prisons. They have a great automotive program up there. Gives the inmates a change to learn a honest trade, the work is outstanding and the price is very reasonable. The only drawback is the waiting list to get your car in. Sometimes up to 2 years wait.

Anyway, first question for everyone... is a 1971 GT6 front end identical to the 1969? Turns out the front bonnet I found is a '71.
 
i think the 71 gt6 bonnet didn't have any louvers in it...get a pic of it. the 69 gt6 + bonnet has louvers on the top of the bonnet AND the sides. i have a gt6+ bonnet for sale, but i'm in ohio...i doubt you'd wanna go there.

todd bermudez
 
hey if anyone is interested i started a spit6 project and ended up getting a running tr6 instead. anyway to the point. i still have the spitfire body in decent shape and i started the floor replacement on the drivers side and i need to get rid of it. if anyone is interested in it i am in rhode island. i have repaired the frame (there was a rusted out portion) and like i said started the drivers side rocker and floor replacement. if anyone is interested my email is x3deltadart@cox.net
thanks
Randy
 
John, unfortunately, the '71 bonnet won't fit. The '70 was the last of the old, "round tail", body style. You need one from a '68-'70, with the louvers on the sides as well as the top.
Jeff
 
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