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GT6 Trimuph GT6 restoration

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Did I fail to mention that GT6s came in first and second in their class a Le Mans, back in the day???

Not bad for a "poorly handling" car, eh??? /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/yesnod.gif
 
Andrew Mace said:
"Mk1" GT6, that actually ran two MODEL YEARS: 1967 and 1968. Although some folks refer to the earliest ones as 1966 models, they really weren't. Since the car was introduced in fall 1966, it's very unlikely that any manufacturer would introduce a brand-new "last year's model"! GT6+ and Mk2 ran for the 1969 and 1970 model years, and the Rotoflex GTY6 Mk3 was model years 1971 and 1972.
Click to expand...

The '67 I had was mid 200's, seem to remember 247 which inclines me to agree with Andrew.

It had a strong engine, weak transmission and diff, and was excellent in corners. In hot weather it did get warm inside but reversing the vent windows took care of that.

And it was lite in the rear. My cousin once picked the rear off the ground.
 
vagt6 said:
Did I fail to mention that GT6s came in first and second in their class a Le Mans, back in the day???

Not bad for a "poorly handling" car, eh??? /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/yesnod.gif
Click to expand...
Uh, yes...and no. Those Le Mans cars were Spitfires, with a highly developed 1147cc, eight-port engine (later 1296cc engines were used). However, the fastback roofs were fiberglass, and molds for same were taken from the prototype "GT6"; even that originally was supposed to be a four-cylinder like the Spitfire, but as nice a car as it was, it was deemed a bit too heavy for the four, so they stuffed in a six.
 
My GT6+ sits proudly next to my TR8. Both were completely mechanically overhauled, the GT6+ to stock, the TR8 was hot rodded a bit. (Even a small GM V8 sounds good when it has been "enhanced".) Both fun cars for very different reasons. The former is sort of a violin compared to the latter, which is a bit of a sledge hammer.

Try to avoid the GT6 MK1. Swing arm suspensions just aren't fun sometimes. The GT6+(MK2)has an independent rear. Much nicer. Parts are still readily available. Nigel at https://www.spitbits.com is a saint, really knows these cars, and stocks well. Good prices, too. The advice about resale and getting over your head is correct. If you can find a properly restored one that you can verify is either rust free (except for a couple little spots on my rockers, mine is rust free!!) or properly repaired car, you will actually SAVE money over doing it yourself. And that assumes you have the mechanical skills to do the work.

As for how hot the interior gets, let me share what I did. I bought the car while living in Chesapeake, Va., and if you want hot, the Tidewater of s.e. Virginia can get steamy in the summer. I got my GT6 to be completely comfortable (for a non-A/C car) with a little careful work.
1) Make ABSOLUTELY sure that the heater gets no hot water (leaky heater control valve).
2) Make sure that the car is running at proper temps.
3) Insulate BOTH sides of the transmission cover with the thin style foil insulation that is available on the market. Great BIG difference.
4) Take the car into a closed garage. Lift the hood. Fire up some very big, bright lights in both foot wells. Close the garage door, Turn off the garage lights. Form the engine compartment look EVERYWHERE on the firewall for light. Light leakage means are leakage, and that means you're driving a sweat box. Seal all of the holes.
5) While the trans cover is off make sure that the sheet metal on the floor and firewall are absolutely straight. With the car on jack stands in the same closed garage do the light test again. If a little light leaks, a fresh rubber seal on the trans cover should solve that. Make ABSOLUTELY sure that once the cover is secured to the floor and firewall there is NO light leaking anywhere. This is a bit harder than it sounds.
6) Insulate the floor and firewall with some of the same thin insulation that was used on the trans cover.

With all of this properly done, you will enjoy 2-2-2-70 A/C. That's two windows rolled down, two vent wings open, two rear wind wings opened, and 70 MPH. The foot wells will be warm, but not hot. And even some of THAT heat can be exhausted if the dash fans and controls work properly!!

Once sorted out, little stuff will happen that need attention. heck, mine is 38 years old and runs great. EVERYTHING works, and it gets more looks than my TR8 or Saturn Sky ever do. They are really pretty simple cars, and once sorted, more or less STAY sorted. Try to buy one that someone else has done. You will save money, like I said.
 
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