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Triumph GT6
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1966 - 1973 |
Country: |
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Engine: |
In line 6 |
Capacity: |
1998 cc |
Power: |
95 - 104 bhp |
Transmission: |
4 speed manual, o/drive |
Top Speed: |
106 - 117 mph |
Number Built: |
n/a |
Collectability: |
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Released in 1966, the Triumph GT6 quickly became
known as the poor-mans E-Type. Featuring a lovely sleek
fastback body, the GT6 may have looked a little like
the Spitfire, where its origins obviously lay, but
in fact all the major body panels were new. Fitting
a six-cylinder engine necessitated the use of a longer
bonnet with obvious “power bulge”, while
the doors were provided with opening quarter light
windows.
Tuned to develop 95bhp, the underpinning Spitfire
mechanicals required beefing up to better accommodate
the larger engine. A new radiator was fitted further
forward in the car, a stronger Vitesse sourced gearbox
was fitted with optional overdrive and, to better cope
with the extra weight of a six-cylinder engine, the
front springs were upgraded. The interior was not forgotten
either, and featured a wooden dashboard housing a full
complement of instruments.
With a top speed of around 106mph, and able to reach
60mph in just under 12 seconds, the GT6 had a slight
edge over it’s main rival, the MGB GT. More importantly,
however, was the fact the the GT6 did it so much smoother
and more effortlessly, particularly as the MG’s
4 pot engine had gained a reputation for being a little
too harsh.
In fact only the GT6’s suspension was
to come under fire, the swing-axle system carried over
from the Spitfire, which in turn had been carried over
from the Herald was not to everybody’s liking – but
then even the svelte Mercedes SL Pagoda’s of the
time were copping some criticism for their swing-axle
set-up.
While the Triumph engineers had revised and modified
nearly every major component on the GT6, the swing axle
system remained identical to that of the Herald, and
now being forced to cope with the extra power and weight
of the six-cylinder engine the car had a tendency to
break away if the driver lifted off the power mid-corner. Most
criticism emanated from the US, where it could be argued
that the drivers were less inclined to appreciate the
handling nuances of a British sports car.
By 1968 the Triumph engineers had significantly re-engineered
the swing-axle setup, and so the Mk2 was released (this
model was known as the GT6+ in the US). The fitment
of rotoflex couplings tamed the suspension, and made
the car a genuine MGB beater even in the hands of an
average driver. US safety regulations also dictated
that the Mk2 have the bumpers raised, which in turn
necessitated a completely new front end. Side vents
were added to the front wings and rear pillars, while
under the bonnet the engine was upgraded to develop
104bhp via the fitment of a new cylinder head, camshaft,
and manifolds. The interior also came in for an upgrade,
the new dash affording better ventilation.
The final major facelift for the GT6 came in 1970 – the
Mk3. Significantly, the entire body-shell was revised
to match the changes made to the Spitfire, which included
a cut-off rear end, recessed door handles and a smoother
front end. The mechanicals underwent only minor modification,
although in 1973, when the GT6 was nearing the end
of it’s life, the rear suspension was to undergo
one final modification. Triumph engineers choose to
fit a cheaper, but still as effective, 'swing-spring'
layout. At the same time they added a brake servo,
while the upholstery changed from vinyl to cloth. The
options list remained comprehensive, but the attractive
'knock-on' wire wheels were no longer available.
The
Mk3’s performance remained similar to the Mk2,
affording a top speed of 117mph and a 0-60 time of
10.1 seconds; by comparison the MGB GT could only reach
105mph and would take around 13 seconds to reach 60mph.
Despite the improvements brought about with the Mk2,
along with the better drive-line and performance offered,
it was never able to achieve the sales success of the
MG. Perhaps it was because no convertible was available,
but Triumph were busy pushing the TR6 for that section
of the market. Whatever the case was then, the car
can be judged today as a solid, capable and alluring
vehicle that is highly prized by collectors.
The GT6
was quietly dropped from the Triumph lineup at the
end of 1973, with a handful of cars being sold the
year after. |