GT6 What gotchas when looking for a GT6+

[idlehands]

Hey folks! I'm starting to look for GT6+ and I've read that overall parts are easy to come across. I'm not necessarily worried about having it be a perfect car, but I don't want anything that's visually obviously missing from a trim standpoint and I definitely want to keep the car running. As I'm looking, aside from focusing on body/frame rust, can you all advise me on anything that would be difficult to replace or address?

I am a decent mechanic, but most of my vintage experience is with air-cooled VW's.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[idlehands]

Ah, sorry. I should have have mentioned that I am in the USA, which I would assume can impact availability. I guess the "+" might have indicated that, too?

 

[3798j]

Parts are really pretty easy to source...either here or from England.
The rear wheel bearings are very difficult to remove so I'd listen carefully for any indication they need replaced.
I found replacing the two (upper and lower) windshield frame rubber gaskets to be very time consuming and difficult. The headliner covers the top bolts attaching the frame to the roof and the dash pad is in the way of the lower gasket going between the cowl and lower edge windshield frame. Trying to align and not pinch or tear the rubber while installing was trying.

 

[idlehands]

Thank you! Also, your car is gorgeous.

 

[3798j]

Thanks for the complement!
If you haven't already found these two reliable parts houses, here are their links:

Canley Classics

Canley Classics - The Triumph Spare Parts and Accessories Specialist

www.canleyclassics.com

Spitbits Triumph Parts Supplier

spitbits.com

Obviously there are other solid suppliers...and no doubt you'll be using them too, but these two I mentioned certainly cater to the GT6.

 

[Andrew Mace]

Hey folks! I'm starting to look for GT6+ ... As I'm looking, aside from focusing on body/frame rust, can you all advise me on anything that would be difficult to replace or address?

I am a decent mechanic, but most of my vintage experience is with air-cooled VW's.

Honestly, I think the prime focus should be on rust. Despite there being a "backbone" chassis, much of the body strength is in the sills (rocker panels). Outer, intermediate and inner sills, and floor panels, are all available, though. There's little else on the car that provides any sort of unique challenge. Meanwhile, if your experience is with air-cooled VWs, you'll mostly need to remember to use "SAE" size tools on the Triumph rather than metric.

 

[idlehands]

Honestly, I think the prime focus should be on rust. Despite there being a "backbone" chassis, much of the body strength is in the sills (rocker panels). Outer, intermediate and inner sills, and floor panels, are all available, though. There's little else on the car that provides any sort of unique challenge. Meanwhile, if your experience is with air-cooled VWs, you'll mostly need to remember to use "SAE" size tools on the Triumph rather than metric.

LOL. Thanks! This actually will be the first reason I'll have to get a decent set of SAE wrenches and sockets. My professional experience (newer cars) was all metric, too.

And yeah... my first car ever had a lot of rust hidden under a lovely paint job. I learned on that one that if I have to pick, it's body over mechanicals, but it's good to hear your confirmation, as this will be my first car with a proper frame.

 

[idlehands]

Thanks for the complement!
If you haven't already found these two reliable parts houses, here are their links:

Canley Classics

Canley Classics - The Triumph Spare Parts and Accessories Specialist

www.canleyclassics.com

Spitbits Triumph Parts Supplier

spitbits.com

Obviously there are other solid suppliers...and no doubt you'll be using them too, but these two I mentioned certainly cater to the GT6.

I had not. Thank you so much!

 

[Madflyer]

Hey folks! I'm starting to look for GT6+ and I've read that overall parts are easy to come across. I'm not necessarily worried about having it be a perfect car, but I don't want anything that's visually obviously missing from a trim standpoint and I definitely want to keep the car running. As I'm looking, aside from focusing on body/frame rust, can you all advise me on anything that would be difficult to replace or address?

I am a decent mechanic, but most of my vintage experience is with air-cooled VW's.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Also check a Triumph Esperance Web page many GT 6 people

 

[Andrew Mace]

It's the Triumph Experience (Spitfire & GT6 Forum)! [Esperance is a cute little town in upstate New York! ]

 

[idlehands]

Thanks to you both! I appreciate the tip a lot. And I did figure it out from “esperance.”