1972 Triumph TR6

Registration Number: GEL359L

Engine Size: 2497cc

Engine Number: CF1961-UE

Chassis Number: CF2185U

Gearbox: Manual

Documents

V5C; 2 x older V5C; MOT May 2025; 9 old MOTs; invoices; Heritage Certificate

Tax and MOT status

Tax and MOT exempt

Description

Imported from sunny California in 1997 and converted to RHD; walnut dash; push button start/stop; roll hoop; much recent expenditure; new MOT; lots to like

As the Heritage Certificate confirms, this TR6 was built in November 1972 finished in Green Mallard with Tan Ambla trim, black hood, disc wheels, heater, laminated windscreen and inertia reel seat belts. A LHD export model, it was despatched to British Leyland Motors of San Francisco in January 1973.

Nothing is known of the car’s subsequent history but it cameback to the UK 25 years later, being registered here in June 1997 with the number GEL 359L. Nine old MOTs imply that it has covered some 7,000 miles since then, the odometer currently showing 25,193 miles.

A show card from the Bromyard Speed Festival of May 2022 states that the car was restored in the late 1990s and converted to RHD. There are no invoices for this work but it was presumably also repainted because the paint finish, now Emerald Green, looks nice and shiny. Thanks to spending its early life in sunny California, it is also very solid underneath.

A sturdy roll hoop is fitted behind the seats and the black canvas soft top appears to be in serviceable condition although it clearly hasn’t been used much, judging by how crinkled the plastic windows area. A tan hood cover is also present, along with an indoor car cover, and the exhaust looks to be stainless steel, at the back at least.  

Invoices show that in 2016/17 it was fitted with the following new parts: walnut dash; set of dashboard control knobs; set of chrome instrument bezels; lower dash crash pads; full black carpet set; chrome outer headlamp rims; new starter motor.

Other invoices from 2021 – 2023 show that it had the following new parts: alternator; Powerspark sports ignition coil; distributor cap; points; plugs; rotor arm; condenser; carburettor gaskets; gear oil; 70AHbattery; metal enamelled TR6 front grille badge. The rear differential was rebuilt in 2022 along with new half shaft and universal joints.

Notes on file state that it has also had a new wiring loom;the fuel lines have been upgraded to Codan SAE J30 R9 to cope with modern ethanol fuel; the tappets have been set; a new alloy rocker has been fitted; a quick adjust fan belt tensioner has been fitted; the front suspension has poly bushes; the water hoses have been replaced; the Stromberg carbs have been rebuilt; it has a new clutch slave cylinder and fresh DOT5 fluid; the underside and inner wings have been protected with Lanoguard rust inhibitor; the rearshocks have fresh damper oil plus numerous other detail improvements.

A fancy immobiliser has also been fitted which sends a wash of green light up the steering column when deactivated, the car being started and stopped by a push button neatly installed behind the gear lever – all very funky!

In the current ownership since 2021, it is said to run and drive well and has an MOT until May 2025 with just a few minor advisories (no hazard warning lights; slight play in front ball joints and n/s/f steering rack inner joint). Classed as a Historic Vehicle on the V5C, it is now MOT-exempt and free to tax.  It has also been up Shelsley Walsh on a non-competitive day in 2023 and recorded a respectable 54 seconds with a passenger on board.

Starting promptly and running sweetly, with healthy oil pressure, it looks most attractive indeed, the only real blemish we noted being some corrosion emerging on the rear bumper and a small paint defect on the bonnet.

‍