Gassman
Automotive
SOLD
1969 Triumph TR6
VIN CC27069L
This car was born and remains a white with red interior '69 TR6. The VIN number shows that it is within the first 2000 cars built of the approximately 98,000 cars made over the seven year run. '69 TR6's are the most desirable of the TR6 line and had many unique features that were not on any of the other cars.
One of the nicest features is the highback ventilated seats that have a remote operated, folding headrest. This feature allows the use of a flat tonneau cover rather than having to have the headrest pockets.
The '69 TR6 was built exactly to its intended design before new federal laws required them to make changes. While 1969 was one of the first years of emission control standards, this car only has a PCV valve with no other equipment. It is the highest compression car, therefore the most powerful in its standard form.
Triumph originally planned to introduce the TR6 in 1968 but the designer, Karmann, was involved with another project and the new body designs were not completed in time. As such the TR250 utilized the old TR4A body, but the new TR6 driveline and chassis.
Finally, in 1969 the new masculine design by Karmann was introduced. It has since become the icon representative of what it means to be a sports car. The last of the hair-chested sports cars. This car featured many innovations such as rack and pinion steering, power disc brakes, fully independent suspension, and an effortless convertible top with zip out window. With its 106 HP to approximately 2200 lbs power to weight ratio, it was an immediate success. The car was capable of speeds in excess of 120 MPH with a silky smooth 6-cylinder 4-main engine, dual carburetors and a fully synchronized 4-speed transmission. The TR6 remains timeless and one of the most roomy, comfortable, and usable sports cars even by today's standards.
The car in question has been in excellent care and has one of the nicest, original, rust-free frames I have ever seen. Finished in its original colors, the body is straight with good gaps. A new set of proper red wool carpets and all new interior panels, impressed heat seam from the UK as original. A more comfortable steering wheel was added to the car and new red seat belts were installed. The car has a white tonneau cover and proper convertible top. During the initial restoration the entire body was resprayed including all jams, engine bay, and trunk area. The last safety feature was a rollbar which still allows proper use of the convertible top and the ability to still unzip the rear window. Given the standard to which it has been completed, it would be desirable to anyone who wants a solid sports car experience.
After we purchased the car in Tennessee, we brought it back to our shop and one of our local customers commissioned us to improve the car to his dream standards. A massive amount of work was done to include modifications to the motor for improved performance and reliability.
The motor was disassembled and a new Richard Good GP2 cam and lifters were installed. New timing gears with adjustable cam gear and tubular shortened pushrods were installed. The head was ported and polished and port-matched to a new triple-carb custom aluminum intake and 6 to 2 to 1 exhaust header with high-temperature coating. New oversized Stellite exhaust valves and stainless intake valves with hardened seats, magnesium bronze guides, and custom valve springs were installed in the head after a full pressure test and magnafluxing was completed. The surface of the head was machined to achieve a 9:8 to 1 compression ratio and the combustion chambers were deburred and CC'd.
Three original stromberg carburetors were completely rebuilt with new jets, throttle shafts, nitrophyl floats, new bypass valves, metering needles, press-in jets and full gasket and seals after vapor-honing the entire bodies and components. New linkage and a triple fuel line system were installed with new triple cable choke. A 1.55 to 1 roller rocker set was installed and new stainless exhaust. An alloy radiator was installed with all-new hoses.
The transmission had been rebuilt prior to our ownership and was in excellent shape so that only a service was required. The entire front suspension was rebuilt with Richard Good poly bushings and all-new hardware, trunnions, springs, and GAZ front gas shocks. New spline adapters were installed and new 8-spoke spline drive alloy wheels with Yokohama Avid 205/70/15 tires were installed. The differential was removed and refreshed with all-new bearings, seals, and fluid and reset to factory standard lash. The frame mounting pins were boxed and welded for reinforcement and a new poly diff mount set was installed. Custom CV joint axles and new alloy hub carriers and bearings were installed. The trailing arms were upgraded to adjustable height mounts and a Richard Good front and rear sway bar were installed with Heim joints. A stainless steel clutch slave hose was also added along with new clutch hydraulics.
All work was performed by Gassman Automotive to a very high standard. Very few miles have been put on the car since all the upgrades, so it is still a fresh, beautiful, powerful car. The motor now produces approximately 150 HP and is exhilarating to drive and more than capable of competing with today's traffic both locally and on the highway. This car is being offered at a fraction of its cost to build and is truly a ready-to-go, excellent example of the iconic 70's sports car.
