Triumph TR6

1969 to 1976
Overview
Manufacturer	Triumph Motor Company
Production	1969–1976
Assembly	Coventry, England
Body and chassis
Class	Roadster
Layout	FR layout
Powertrain
Engine	2,498 cc (2.5 l) I6
Transmission	4-speed manual all synchromesh
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,235 mm (88.0 in)
Length	3,950 mm (155.5 in)
Width	1,550 mm (61.0 in)
Height	1,270 mm (50.0 in)
Kerb weight	1,130 kg (2,491 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor	Triumph TR250 (United States) Triumph TR5 (rest of the world)
Successor	Triumph TR7

The Triumph TR6 (1969–76) is a British six-cylinder sports car and the best-seller of the TR range built by Triumph when production ended in July 1976. This record was then surpassed by the TR7. Of the 94,619 TR6s produced, 86,249 were exported; only 8,370 were sold in the UK.

The bodywork closely resembled that of the previous model, the Triumph TR5, but the front and back ends were squared off, reportedly based on a consultancy contract involving Karmann. This is referred to as a Kamm-style tail, which was very common during 1970s era of cars. The body shape was similar to the TR4/TR5 except for the rear and front.

All TR6 sports cars featured inline six-cylinder engines. For the US market the engine was carburetted, as had been the US-only TR250 engine. Like the TR5, the TR6 was fuel-injected for other world markets including the United Kingdom, hence the TR6PI (petrol-injection) designation. The Lucas mechanical fuel injection system helped the home-market TR6 produce 150 bhp (110 kW) (145 hp DIN) at model introduction. Later the non-US TR6 variant was detuned to 125 bhp (93 kW) in order for it to be easier to drive, while the US variant continued to be carburetted with a mere (but more reliable) 104 hp (78 kW).

The TR6 featured a four-speed manual transmission. An optional overdrive unit was a desirable feature because it gave drivers close gearing for aggressive driving with an electrically switched overdrive which could operate on 2nd, 3rd and 4th gears on early models and 3rd and 4th on later models because of constant gearbox failures in 2nd at high revs. Both provided "long legs" for open motorways.

TR6 also featured semi-trailing arm independent rear suspension, rack and pinion steering, 15-inch (380 mm) wheels and tires, pile carpet on floors and trunk/boot, bucket seats, and a full complement of instrumentation. Braking was accomplished by disc brakes at the front and drum brakes at the rear.

A factory steel hardtop was optional, requiring two people to fit it. TR6 construction was fundamentally old-fashioned: the body was bolted onto a frame instead of the two being integrated into a unibody structure; the TR6 dashboard was wooden (plywood w/ veneer). Other factory options included a rear anti-roll bar and a limited slip differential.

A 1975 Triumph TR6 in Wheeler Dealers Series 9