GT6 Looking for a GT6?

[TR_Jim]

Tom, is this the commercial? Makes you want to buy another one!

eZkKcsY" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"> </embed></object>

 

[vagt6]

I bought one new in 1970 and have restored and driven a couple others, all MK IIs. It's one of those cars that's hard to put your finger on exactly why you love it so much. Very small car with a cramped cockpit. Loud. Poor driver visibility, etc., etc.

But when you squeeze into the the driver's seat and fire up that smooth, six, and then take her for a spirited drive, all conjecture vaporizes. Possibly the most enjoyable car I've ever driven, and I've driven a few. A true driver's car.

Good luck finding a nice MK II nowadays. For the past several years it seems a nice example pops up maybe once a year. Pricing is really great, $15K will get you a better-than-new one.

I paid $6000 for mine in 2003, put another $4000 in it and sold it on eBay in 2006 for about $9000. It was very nice, about 90% restored with lots of goodies.

If I were selling it today, I wouldn't take a penny less than $12,000.

They're so rare (MK IIS-my favorite) that most of the sales become bidding wars-emotional exercises. Good for seller, bad for buyer.

If you get one, KEEP IT. Pricing inevitably will rise.

 

[3798j]

Jim, Wow, neat commercial - thanks for posting it.

 

[tomshobby]

Hi Jim,

Been a while since we met at the British Car Festival. Have wondered how you have been.

The as I saw was on the back cover of a car magazine. I don't even remember what mag it was. But it worked.

 

[TR_Jim]

Tom, I didn't go the the BCF this year...I don't have a British car anymore! I sold my GT6 MKI earlier this year and I'm now driving a '66 Mustang.

 

[UmmYeahOk]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duFeeZkKcsY

Is that you?

I got the video from your site before and had added it to youtube back in September. Its already gotten over 400 views. I guess you uploaded that today.

The as I saw was on the back cover of a car magazine. I don't even remember what mag it was. But it worked.

I was driving a '64 TR4 that I had bought new when I saw the first full page ad for the GT6. They had the car driving along a coast highway I assumed to be in California. I thought it was the most beautiful car I had ever seen.

Also taken from his site:

https://www.jimscars-triumph.com/GT6_01.jpg

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]I made two mistakes, traded the TR4 in for the GT6 and in 1976 I sold the GT6.[/QUOTE]

I bought one new in 1970 and have restored and driven a couple others, all MK IIs. It's one of those cars that's hard to put your finger on exactly why you love it so much.

Because chicks dig it. Hey, if anyone should know, it would be me. Theyre adorable and cute! Why just today, leaving the gas station with my husband I mentioned how I cant wait to fill up my GT6 at gas stations. Soccer moms will just be pouring out of their SUVs just to ask me about the car. Thats the kind of effect it has. People, who normally wouldnt be interested in such a thing will still be drawn to it... ...hopefully not while theyre driving.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]If you get one, KEEP IT. Pricing inevitably will rise. [/QUOTE]
I dont disagree with you, but I question why not now? I mean these cars are in their 40s. They became classic when they were 25. Technically, maybe even before that with their dated styling. The only way these will rise is if people know about them. And let face it, those around who know of this car are dying off. The only reason I know about them was because I was rooting around behind some guys junkyard. And even then I didnt know what it was.

Unless theres some movie out there that gives the car some exposure. Austin Powers 2, wasnt enough to even register in my mind, and the targeted audience for iCarly saw the car as a POS no one wanted. I think the bulk of current owners dont even drive them. Mostly because the vehicle physically cant.

 

[vagt6]

The more rare an object is, the greater its value.

That pretty much defines a GT6. I think their values will hold or rise over the next decade or so.

After that, everyone will want electric cars or cars that run on dilithiuim crystals, or something . . .

 

[TR4A_IRS]

The more rare an object is, the greater its value.

That is partially true. A thing must be both rare and desireable to have great value. There are many rare things out there that are not desireable.

However, I do think a GT6 is both somewhat rare and desireable.

 

[jsfbond]

Are there any reliable numbers of how many viable Gt6's are left? ( I know, viable is open to interpretation.)

 

[tomshobby]

Jim, I think I remember that you sold yours, gotta do what you gotta do!

The as I saw was on the back cover of a car magazine. I don't even remember what mag it was. But it worked.

I was driving a '64 TR4 that I had bought new when I saw the first full page ad for the GT6. They had the car driving along a coast highway I assumed to be in California. I thought it was the most beautiful car I had ever seen.

That's the one, and the pics below are what I got.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]I made two mistakes, traded the TR4 in for the GT6 and in 1976 I sold the GT6.[/QUOTE]

 

[UmmYeahOk]

The more rare an object is, the greater its value.

That pretty much defines a GT6. I think their values will hold or rise over the next decade or so.

Problem is, if its so rare, theres less people out there that know about them, thus less people interested in them. This however doesnt apply to vehicles of certain pedigrees and heritage. Im sure theres a lot of bugattis, deusenbergs, bentlys, etc. that people dont even know existed. Because of this, they may not be looking for one, but the very few who are, still will pay top dollar for one just because of what it is. Triumph however isnt really known for its automotive legacy. In fact, usually when I tell people I have one, they for some reason think its a motorcycle.

I see mustangs of the 60s sell for $20-200k. Why? Theyre "rare." As a mustang owner I can tell you thats a lot of bull. My 94 is rare too. They have made so many special editions, so many with certain options, that if you thought hard about it, all 3 million are rare in some way. Is it because theyre rare, or is it because so many people know about them due to their HUGE production, that they want one. There are probably a lot less GT6s out there than shelbys, especially now, because guess what car is getting restored more often?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]After that, everyone will want electric cars or cars that run on dilithiuim crystals, or something . . . [/QUOTE]

Are there any reliable numbers of how many viable Gt6's are left? ( I know, viable is open to interpretation.)

I wish I knew how many were produced in each year. I dont understand why american manufacturers kept that info, and british ones didnt.

There are registries, but really no way of knowing since one can be entered during restoration and either given up on, or restored, but not updated, and my bet is, most owners arent that internet savvy.

But I did think a lot about this topic today and what I think is happening in the market currently is that FINALLY GT6es are being restored. That is, whats around, seem to be more in the restoration process than in drivable condition. This means that in ten years from now, there may be more that are road worthy and sellable, or what I guess you mean by "viable". Usually it doesnt take this long for such a car to receive such treatment, but in this case, that what I see. If you look at ebay, this forum, and the uk forum, a lot more are in restoration, than "viable". Then again, I may have confused an enthusiast forum for a support group again. =)

I also believe that if they would just show the Spitfire episode of Wheeler Dealers here in the US, viewers will be TOLD what a GT6 is, and how THATS the car they really should look for if available. After that, value will rise. We own a porsche 928 because both Wheeler Dealers and Classic Car Club TOLD us what a great car it is for the money. (got ours for $3200)

If you guys havent heard me say this before, my GT6 has a HUGE fanbase simply just sitting in my driveway in a sorry, pathetic, POS state. Imagine if others could see such a car. I suggest a cross country rally! A promotion for awareness! =)

 

[vagt6]

Production Figures

MkI
Built July 1966 to September 1968
Number built 15,818
Chassis numbers KC1 to KC13752
Basic price £800.00

MkII
(U.S. market - GT6+)
Built July 1968 to December 1970
Number built 12,066
Chassis numbers KC50001 to KC58046. From October 1970, KC75001 to KC82398
Basic price Starting at £879.00 rising to £925.00 at end of production run.

MkIII
Built October 1970 to December 1973
Number built 13,042
Chassis numbers KE1 on (1971), KE10001 on (1972),
KE20001 to KE24218 - (Feb. 1973) on
(U.S. market used KF prefix)
Basic price Starting at £970.00 rising to £1285.00 by 1973.

 

[Silverghost]

Production Figures

MkI
Built July 1966 to September 1968
Number built 15,818
Chassis numbers KC1 to KC13752

Just curious, am I missing something - 15,818 built, 13,753 chassis numbers = 2065 cars without chassis numbers? It's early and I may not be awake yet! LoL

 

[Andrew Mace]

Mark, in the "MkII" information above, it should read "From October 1969, KC75001 to KC82398." Actually, I believe 1970 model year production might have begun a bit earlier than October 1969, as my own KC75121L has "August 1969" on the commission number plate. (FWIW, I've not gotten a build certificate, so I don't know the exact build date, but it's obviously a very early 1970 model.)

As for early Mustangs, what I suspect might really be rare, 46 years after the fact, are the base models; you know, the one you could actually purchase for $2,368 F.O.B. Detroit, as stated in some of the early advertising! But in this example, rare seldom translates to valuable, as there are all too few of us who would just as soon own an example of a base model as own a fully-optioned, special edition model.

 

[jsfbond]

Thanks for the production numbers and related info, It will be great to see a sudden influx of GT'S coming back to road-ready condition....just in time to tell the grandchildren that this is one of those vehicles that ran on that gasoline stuff you "Wikied" in history class.

 

[tomshobby]

As for early Mustangs, what I suspect might really be rare, 46 years after the fact, are the base models; you know, the one you could actually purchase for $2,368 F.O.B. Detroit, as stated in some of the early advertising! But in this example, rare seldom translates to valuable, as there are all too few of us who would just as soon own an example of a base model as own a fully-optioned, special edition model.

Like the one my classmate bought when they came out. He even ordered this way. 6 cyl with 3 speed, no air, the only option was a plain radio. He was so proud and wouldn't stop bothering me until I went for a ride in his pride and joy. After I made as nice of comments as I could without being an out rite liar. Then got in my '64 TR4 and drove away a very happy man!

 

[vagt6]

Mark, in the "MkII" information above, it should read "From October 1969, KC75001 to KC82398." Actually, I believe 1970 model year production might have begun a bit earlier than October 1969, as my own KC75121L has "August 1969" on the commission number plate. (FWIW, I've not gotten a build certificate, so I don't know the exact build date, but it's obviously a very early 1970 model.)

Andrew, got this info straight off Paul Tegler's "International GT6 Database". The info came from period marketing data from the manufacturer.

FYI.

 

[Andrew Mace]

I know...but I've found many typos in Standard-Triumph and BLMC literature, not to mention Lucas catalogues, and on any number of web sites.... :wink:

 

[UmmYeahOk]

As for early Mustangs, what I suspect might really be rare, 46 years after the fact, are the base models; you know, the one you could actually purchase for $2,368 F.O.B. Detroit, as stated in some of the early advertising! But in this example, rare seldom translates to valuable, as there are all too few of us who would just as soon own an example of a base model as own a fully-optioned, special edition model.

Depends on the amount built. No, it will never be worth more than other rare models, but with all the many colors offered and what not, its definitely one of those bits of trivia which would get you more money, than without it. Plus the prices of base model mustangs have skyrocketed in the last decade simply because people buy these to create replicas. I mean most of those $150k+ eleanors started life as a rusty and rotten 6 cylinder. And when I see people modify brand new cars, I question why on earth they started with a high end model, rather than base. Seems to me that if you plan on ripping out the engine, trans, diff, suspension, etc, why buy the most expensive version?

The cool thing about modding a base is that you have a car that you can DRIVE. Thats the important thing. You have more fun with these cars than the museum piece. The other cool thing is if you are a DIYer, the finish project will still cost less.

Thanks for the production numbers and related info, It will be great to see a sudden influx of GT'S coming back to road-ready condition....just in time to tell the grandchildren that this is one of those vehicles that ran on that gasoline stuff you "Wikied" in history class.

100 leaded octane? What on earth is that? And where do you go to buy a tank?

Actually there looks to be 2 rather nice examples on ebay right now. One, a mk2, looks great, but has a reserve. The other is canadian mk3. And due to location and lack of photos I wonder about rust. Plus the price its listed for is way too much. Maybe if it were perfect, and had lots of photos to prove it. But it doesnt.

 

[UmmYeahOk]

...just in time to tell the grandchildren that this is one of those vehicles that ran on that gasoline stuff you "Wikied" in history class.

Just got to thinking...

...you'll probably have to explain to them what a "car" is. They probably all think theyre just living rooms on wheels. I know many owners of 21st century vehicle that probably do.