GT6 New GT6

[UmmYeahOk]

:lol:

So you're MOTORHEADS!!

s'okay.

...all but that bit about th' German Camaro. :smirk:


BTW: I'm factory trained on them things. Really. Even have th' li'l metric Allen wrench tool to adjust th' cam bucket clearances. :wink:

Actually my husband got the car for $3200 because it wasnt running. We would have gotten it for $2800 but the owner wanted to keep the wheels and didnt have stockers. The car was listed running in the ad. This was a checkbook restorer and we bought the car at the mechanics shop. Since we paid in cash he went right inside and paid the mechanic what he owed.

My husband rewired the whole thing and removed a bunch of stuff (valve covers and up) cleaned and repainted. Looked like someone had a silver spray can explode or something, so we had to fix it. I think the bulk of the problem was just some fuses and relays. Ive seen fuse boxes before, but OMG the wiring and fuse box on this car is probably bigger than my gt6!!! How on earth did they fit all of that into one car?!?

I joke with him because as soon as we swapped in a 302 5.0 in my mustang (use to be a v6) he had to get a 5.0 too. I still think mines faster though =)

Looks pretty nice. It appears to have both a circa 1970 model year bonnet and engine, but that's not really of significance unless you someday feel a compelling need to have it judged in "Stock" class at a Triumph club meet.

What makes you say that? the engine code looks legit. The hood Im not sure of. It came with a front bumper and one bumper guard (mk1) but the hood had a GT6+ emblem on it. I had planned on filling the holes and leaving it as is, even though I got front mk1 badges for it.

I am also confused about the chassis. I believe its suppose to be painting the original body color, green, and it is in some parts, but in many places its black. It will all be black when Im done, but still.

The gear shift has "69 gt6" painted on it. So Im not exactly sure what alls in this car... ...better have a freakin rotoflex or something. Nobody seems to like mk1s because of their handling, but I love the looks.

Welcome UmmYeahOk. There's a very active group of Triumph enthusiasts in the Dallas area. Check out their website: https://www.redrivertriumphclub.org/index.html

I discovered them before I picked up the car actually. But what stinks is that triumph trans american drive came through a few days before I was told I had to sell my car, which lead to the GT6. I would love to see some examples of what my car is supposed to look like.

Welcome to the group. I also have a rolling GT6. It has been driven by my teenage son which most people think I am not to let drive a classic car.

Thats because they think the car is worth a lot more moneywise, and that he'll race/wreck it, even though the car isnt exactly the best thing to race (even though people seem to do)

But to be honest this car isnt exactly safe. Id be worried if it were my kid. Not sure if mine came with seatbelts or not, but it will... ...and lapbelts, well, at least the steering wheel will prevent you from hitting glass. The lowback seats are great for that bobble-head effect. No airbags, but at low speed collisions they seem to do more harm than good. Teeny tiny rear view mirror and a left side mirror, but no right. What fun!

And most importantly, probably the most dangerous thing about these cars, MODERN DAY VEHICLES! I drive a 90s car, and the car I was forced to sell was an 80s. So Ive already experienced this. Modern cars are so big and so tall the windows dont even start until after the roofline of my cars. I get ticked off at all my near misses questioning if they even bothered to look. They may have, I was just in their huge gigantic blind spot! After worrying about side impacts, what about front and rear? Where is your bumper compared to theirs. Their vehicle will drive right over yours, depending on the speed and how well your bumper stops their wheels. Even my own mother said "its like a smartcar"

Oh, I forgot. Make sure you post alot of pictures as you go. We love to see pictures.

I will. At shows many people display a restoration book. I plan to make one too.

 

[Andrew Mace]

Looks pretty nice. It appears to have both a circa 1970 model year bonnet and engine, but that's not really of significance unless you someday feel a compelling need to have it judged in "Stock" class at a Triumph club meet.

What makes you say that? the engine code looks legit. The hood Im not sure of. It came with a front bumper and one bumper guard (mk1) but the hood had a GT6+ emblem on it. I had planned on filling the holes and leaving it as is, even though I got front mk1 badges for it.

The two small holes are for the outer mounts of the higher "Mk2/+" bumper, and the larger holes are for the side marker lamps first used in 1970. Aside from the badge, the other giveaway is the front parking lamps. There are two separate lamps on each side of a "Mk1" GT6; also, the badging is very different on the "Mk1" as seen in the picture "Tom" posted of his white GT6. What is the engine serial number? That would tell for sure. I was going by a not-too-clear picture of an engine with a painted (instead of chrome) valve cover and what sorta looked to be the later Mk2/+ cylinder head.

I am also confused about the chassis. I believe its suppose to be painting the original body color, green, and it is in some parts, but in many places its black. It will all be black when Im done, but still.

The chassis originally would be body color wherever it was "exposed" such as all of the bottom, under the bonnet, etc. Underneath that body color would be black, but that usually is only seen on the top of the main rails and other "unexposed" areas when the body is removed. (The assembled body and chassis unit was painted as such at the factory, after which the trim and mechanicals were bolted up.)

The gear shift has "69 gt6" painted on it. So Im not exactly sure what alls in this car... ...better have a freakin rotoflex or something. Nobody seems to like mk1s because of their handling, but I love the looks.

Only way to determine for sure what the rear suspension is would be to take a peak. If there's a "rubber doughnut" in the middle of each rear axle, that's the Rotoflex coupling. Otherwise, it's the original "swing axle" suspension. The "69 gt6" on the gear shift might mean that the gearbox (and maybe the engine?) came out of that year GT6. I don't think gearboxes changed at all between the "Mk1" and Mk2/+ cars.

But to be honest this car isnt exactly safe. Id be worried if it were my kid. Not sure if mine came with seatbelts or not, but it will... ...and lapbelts, well, at least the steering wheel will prevent you from hitting glass. The lowback seats are great for that bobble-head effect. No airbags, but at low speed collisions they seem to do more harm than good. Teeny tiny rear view mirror and a left side mirror, but no right. What fun!

As a car built for the 1967 model year, it would've had lap belts originally, and there should be eyebolts in the floorpan. I think there might also be mounts on the inside rear wheel arches for a shoulder belt?

 

[UmmYeahOk]

Looks pretty nice. It appears to have both a circa 1970 model year bonnet and engine, but that's not really of significance unless you someday feel a compelling need to have it judged in "Stock" class at a Triumph club meet.

What makes you say that? the engine code looks legit. The hood Im not sure of. It came with a front bumper and one bumper guard (mk1) but the hood had a GT6+ emblem on it. I had planned on filling the holes and leaving it as is, even though I got front mk1 badges for it.

The two small holes are for the outer mounts of the higher "Mk2/+" bumper, and the larger holes are for the side marker lamps first used in 1970. Aside from the badge, the other giveaway is the front parking lamps. There are two separate lamps on each side of a "Mk1" GT6; also, the badging is very different on the "Mk1" as seen in the picture "Tom" posted of his white GT6. What is the engine serial number? That would tell for sure. I was going by a not-too-clear picture of an engine with a painted (instead of chrome) valve cover and what sorta looked to be the later Mk2/+ cylinder head.

The valve cover is chrome, it just needed to be clean. Looks like someone attempted to paint the block red at one point. Im at work right now, so I cant get the engine serial, but I'll try tonight.

Id like to not have to use fuel additives and such, did they make a gt6 from the factory that could run on normal 21st century gas?

That sucks about the hood, uh, I mean "bonnet." =) Will my Mk1 stuff bolt up fine without drilling? Guess I'll restore that part to 1970 spec, minus the bumper and emblem.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]

I am also confused about the chassis. I believe its suppose to be painting the original body color, green, and it is in some parts, but in many places its black. It will all be black when Im done, but still.

The chassis originally would be body color wherever it was "exposed" such as all of the bottom, under the bonnet, etc. Underneath that body color would be black, but that usually is only seen on the top of the main rails and other "unexposed" areas when the body is removed. (The assembled body and chassis unit was painted as such at the factory, after which the trim and mechanicals were bolted up.)[/QUOTE]

Looks like green overspray, but the area by the front wheels are black.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]

The gear shift has "69 gt6" painted on it. So Im not exactly sure what alls in this car... ...better have a freakin rotoflex or something. Nobody seems to like mk1s because of their handling, but I love the looks.

Only way to determine for sure what the rear suspension is would be to take a peak. If there's a "rubber doughnut" in the middle of each rear axle, that's the Rotoflex coupling. Otherwise, it's the original "swing axle" suspension. The "69 gt6" on the gear shift might mean that the gearbox (and maybe the engine?) came out of that year GT6. I don't think gearboxes changed at all between the "Mk1" and Mk2/+ cars.[/QUOTE]

I read somewhere that the early transmissions, I mean "gearboxes," were weaker and often rebuilt. Not sure if 69 is new enough.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]

But to be honest this car isnt exactly safe. Id be worried if it were my kid. Not sure if mine came with seatbelts or not, but it will... ...and lapbelts, well, at least the steering wheel will prevent you from hitting glass. The lowback seats are great for that bobble-head effect. No airbags, but at low speed collisions they seem to do more harm than good. Teeny tiny rear view mirror and a left side mirror, but no right. What fun!

As a car built for the 1967 model year, it would've had lap belts originally, and there should be eyebolts in the floorpan. I think there might also be mounts on the inside rear wheel arches for a shoulder belt? [/QUOTE]

It has both eyebolts in the floor board and rear wheel, My car came with part of a rear seat, but I dont think it was built that way, because it doesnt have the things the seat snaps on to. I was thinking if the rear wheel mount wasnt for the shoulder belt, it might be for the rear seat, but probably not. According to the AZ title, it was first purchased in march of 1967 so it might be an early car. Then again, maybe shoulder belts was an option.

 

[tomgt6]

I haven't found any issues with running todays gas in any of my cars. Don't worry about it. I have talked to others who have put over a 100,000 miles on a car without putting in the hardened valve guides and have never seen any issues.

Like Andy says the front markings have a few other differences. You would need to find the mk1 lights, easy to find on ebay or a junk yard, (teamtriumph.com) He may even have a mk1 hook if you really wanted it. You would need to see if you can fill the side markers and I think the lights for the front would use the one hole that is there and you would have to drill another.

My 70 came with lap belts. I don't think in 67 they had the option of shoulder belts from what I remember. Someone most likely put some in at a later date. You can mount up a 3 point belt system easy enough in those spots. The later spitfires and gt6 came with 3 point belts.

 

[UmmYeahOk]

Did 67 bonnets come with side vents? What year did they start? I kinda think its cool. Im probbaly gonna keep this hood if I can... ...seems like the more economical solution

 

[tomgt6]

Your correct, I forgot that. The mk1 didn't have the side vents in the fenders.

There is a nose panel repair that you can buy the will give you the mk1 or another one that will give you the mk2 front light area.

I am torn what to tell you. I have a mk1 spitfire and herald with the old style lights and a mk2 gt6 with the newer style lights. I really like the old style. But it will be a lot of work to fix it. My guess is most car shows no one would ever know the difference unless you go to a British show.

Look at some pictures of mk1s and mk2s and see what you like better.

If it was me I would have a mk1 with the rotoflex back end and the extra cabin vent in the rear pillar. I think I also like the mk1 dash better, but that is a toss up.

 

[UmmYeahOk]

Your correct, I forgot that. The mk1 didn't have the side vents in the fenders.

There is a nose panel repair that you can buy the will give you the mk1 or another one that will give you the mk2 front light area.

I am torn what to tell you. I have a mk1 spitfire and herald with the old style lights and a mk2 gt6 with the newer style lights. I really like the old style. But it will be a lot of work to fix it. My guess is most car shows no one would ever know the difference unless you go to a British show.

Look at some pictures of mk1s and mk2s and see what you like better.

I think Im going to shave off the sides, and leave the front parking lamps for now, maybe do the drilling that was suggested earlier in the future. I hope the original hole is in the right place.

I really wanted to keep this original, but Im already going to paint it some modern non triumph color. The type of vinyl Im using wont have the same texture. I plan on adding power windows (which will work with my window crank) A/C and a classic style radio that will play mp3s as well as modern speakers.

I only have one original speaker. It looks like theres supposed to be two, and by the front kick panels, wish I could see what theyre supposed to look like with the interior installed. Were there ever rear speakers? option? I dont wanna add them if the front is good enough. I dont want to go nuts with amps and subs and stuff.

I doubt anyones going to know what year this car is unless they read my year of manufacturer plates (which I havent gotten yet) To be honest I dont even think people will know its a triumph, let alone a GT6. Where I live, if it wasnt built this century then it needs to be parted out and crushed. Id be surprised if they even heard of "triumph" and I speak of people who grew up in that era. Youre supposed to fix up 67 mustangs and 67 camaros, not some poor orphan car.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]If it was me I would have a mk1 with the rotoflex back end and the extra cabin vent in the rear pillar. I think I also like the mk1 dash better, but that is a toss up. [/QUOTE]

Whats the dash difference? Are you comparing it to the Mk3?

 

[Andrew Mace]

I haven't found any issues with running todays gas in any of my cars. Don't worry about it.

Agreed! And I think it's even more true with a car such as the GT6, where that big, torquey six is seldom stressed.

Like Andy says the front markings have a few other differences. You would need to find the mk1 lights, easy to find on ebay or a junk yard, (teamtriumph.com) He may even have a mk1 hook if you really wanted it....

Unfortunately, the later bonnet has a very different, rectangular opening for the lamps you have; you'd really need to change that entire little panel below the headlamp. In an ideal world, you'd find someone with a good "Mk1" bonnet and swap! The reality is that any GT6 bonnet is a pretty scarce item nowadays.

Ironically, at one time it was a bit easier to "go forward"; some of the earliest Mk3 Spitfires used up stocks of Mk2 bonnets, but had an additional "plinth" over the existing sheet metal to mount the rectangular side/flasher lamp. (Mk3 Spitfire basically paralleled the GT6+, while Mk2 Spitfire basically paralleled the "Mk1" GT6.)

My 70 came with lap belts. I don't think in 67 they had the option of shoulder belts from what I remember....

My '70 is one of the very earliest (Aug. 1969 build date) 1970 model, and it came with three-point belts. I think by then they were a required fitting for front seats in any closed car, although many convertibles were still exempt from the three-point belt requirement (they did need lap belts, though). I'd have to look in my factory GT6 Spare Parts Catalogue to see what might have been available in terms of belts, although I'll note that the belts themselves were usually sourced in the US at the time.

As for any rear seat, they were not available from Triumph until the GT6+ model of 1960-70. And they're darned near useless unless you have an American Girl doll collection you'd like to display. Even smaller children would have difficulty getting TO the seat, let alone being at all comfortable in it. :wink:

 

[Andrew Mace]

I really wanted to keep this original...

If that's the case, you'd want to do that bonnet swap I mentioned before!

I only have one original speaker....

...and that's all there ever was. Radios and speakers were dealer installed. Back then, the vast majority of radios were still plain old AM, with a single speaker usually mounted low in the passsenger front footwell area. Anything else you see or find on a GT6 was added later. I will say that the trim panel just behind the "B" post is a common and very good location for rear speakers.

Whats the dash difference? Are you comparing it to the Mk3?

The original "Mk1" GT6 dash was very highly polished veneer, with chrome-rimmed gauges and cool switches and such. From 1969 on, Triumph went to a matte/satin finish (Federal safety standard) and flat black-rimmed gauges and "safer" switches. They still looked nice, but just not as nice as the traditional highly polished wood of a British car dashboard!

 

[tomgt6]

If I remember the mk2 and mk3 dash looks the same. Do some google searches on images for the cars or go to the tiumphspitfire.com site and you will find some photos as well.

My gt6 has a speaker box built right behind the seats. It looks really good. They hinged it to the bump and the box covers the whole back seat\shelf. They then used the same carpet to cover the box and then cut 6x9 holes in it. I can say you have to have the speakers pretty loud to hear anything because I also have the monza exhaust.

The other spot you could stick small round speakers would be in the foot wells, on the outside side walls there is a indent at the back of the pillar. You could build a box and put in smaller speakers. Paint the box black and you would never see them. It hides pretty well under the dash. My son put his amp in that location in his spitfire.

Hay, welcome to the loony club. Only the cool people restore old british cars. We tend to march to the beat of a different drummer. Enjoy your car and wait till you get it on the street. You will get all kinds of looks and people will talk to you all the time. The Mustang and Muscle car guys will get upset because no one talks to them but everyone will be talking to you. You can be at a show of a 100 cars and sometimes be the only one with a British car.

 

[DrEntropy]

...Ive seen fuse boxes before, but OMG the wiring and fuse box on this car is probably bigger than my gt6!!! How on earth did they fit all of that into one car?!?

Clever Teutonic Engineering!

And how 'bout that "all one color (BROWN)" color coding in/under the footwell?

They wanted to keep owners from doing things, i.e. being dependent on the dealership methinks.

 

[UmmYeahOk]

I got to thinking... ...I think my AC idea is a bit too elaborate and expensive. What are your opinions on this: https://www.classicaire.com/Fan-Powered.htm
Looks like it might tip my little car over

As for any rear seat, they were not available from Triumph until the GT6+ model of 1960-70. And they're darned near useless unless you have an American Girl doll collection you'd like to display. Even smaller children would have difficulty getting TO the seat, let alone being at all comfortable in it. :wink:

Well the idea was that if I ever had kids, I was going to cut off their legs and tell CPS that they were born that way =) But seriously when I told my mom about the car one of the things she said was that "you might want to have kids someday." to that I replied "It has a back seat!" Although now that I think about it, it sounds more like a sexual joke then an explanation of seating capacity.

The mustang and 928, since the backseat is pretty much useless, like this, theyve been removed for audio improvements. We do have a 4 door 4 seater in our "fleet" though. I just thought the back seat was cool because it might possibly be something rare and is in excellent shape.

You can be at a show of a 100 cars and sometimes be the only one with a British car.

To be honest, other than lotuses (lotii?) I never see any british cars. I remember seeing one triumph spitfire (unknown year) at an SCCA Solo II event I was at.

...Ive seen fuse boxes before, but OMG the wiring and fuse box on this car is probably bigger than my gt6!!! How on earth did they fit all of that into one car?!?

Clever Teutonic Engineering!

And how 'bout that "all one color (BROWN)" color coding in/under the footwell?

They wanted to keep owners from doing things, i.e. being dependent on the dealership methinks.

The mechanic shop this car was act actually was a dealership! The very idea that they couldnt fix this car amazes me. In fact, I think they made it worse. Although I will saw that they probably arent an authorized porsche dealership/mechanic, but they do deal with mercedes and BMW, so I would think theyd have some experience.

 

[Andrew Mace]

I got to thinking... ...I think my AC idea is a bit too elaborate and expensive. What are your opinions on this: https://www.classicaire.com/Fan-Powered.htm
Looks like it might tip my little car over

Uh, maybe one on each side?

Well the idea was that if I ever had kids, I was going to cut off their legs and tell CPS that they were born that way =) But seriously when I told my mom about the car one of the things she said was that "you might want to have kids someday." to that I replied "It has a back seat!"

In the 1960s, there was a now long-banned drug called Thalidomide, and countless references to that drug have been made over the years when assessing the usefulness of the optional GT6 back seat.

[Moderators: Feel free to edit this out if you feel it's in bad taste. I'll understand.]

 

[UmmYeahOk]

In the 1960s, there was a now long-banned drug called Thalidomide, and countless references to that drug have been made over the years when assessing the usefulness of the optional GT6 back seat.

[Moderators: Feel free to edit this out if you feel it's in bad taste. I'll understand.]

I remember Billy Joel sang about it. In fact, if I recall the song correctly he speaks of it right before mentioning british things, doubt it was gt6 related though =)

Thats pretty much the only reference I know of, and the oldest =)

 

[tomgt6]

I think you should mount that fan on the roof (hood is what the brits call it) and it would look like a scoop for something. I really like the yellow.

When I was in high school a friend had a gt6 and a mgbgt and we use to ride in the back area all the time, but then there wasn't the seatbelt laws and so on.

 

[tomgt6]

I just had a thought on kids. Why, kids take away from the car funds. I can say a British car is like a kid, it leaves marks around, needs constant attention and acts up when your trying to show it off.

 

[UmmYeahOk]

Commission #: KC 5166 L
Body #: 5098 KC
Engine # KC5588E

 

[Andrew Mace]

Those numbers all sound "within range"; i.e., it's probably all as-built!

 

[UmmYeahOk]

Those numbers all sound "within range"; i.e., it's probably all as-built!

Yeah... ...um, we started tearing apart the intake and exhaust manifold, and when I opened up the air filter housing it was full of dirt and the filters had "made in great britain" stamped on it. I am curious about if those were original or not. I cant imagine. It was last registered in 92, so I cant imagine a car making it along like that. Every single thing seems to have been made in england, so Im guessing original. Oh, and one of the freeze plugs on the block is missing. It looks all rusted inside. Im worried that I may have to get a new piston for it.

-Edit-

The engine turns over, so I guess its fine after all. It looks like someone messed with the head because things werent torqued down all the way, some washers were missing, and it has shiny orange valve spring seats. That and the block had been painted red, and the head doesnt appear to have overspray (black)

Is there a way to tell if someone has already converted to a no lead head?

 

[tomgt6]

I am sure it had new filters installed at some point. You will find a lot of parts were and still are made in England for this car.

It sounds like you may want to take this engine apart a bit more to see what you really have. I don't think there is a way to tell about the valve guides. I would say don't worry about it. I have heard many stories of people running 50,-100,000 miles on the old style guides and not seeing any issues.