[M5Rick]

Arguably the most beautiful and affordable British modern classic sports car ever built (sorry for that E-Type and MGB) It all started with the purchase of the Dawson Car Company.

[Aramis1919]

Always lusted after a TR6 as a kid and would still love to own one today.

Roughly 70,000 made between 69 and 76 of which only about 10% were UK cars.


UK market cars had 150 BHP and fuel injection. US cars were emasculated by twin carbs which gave the a limp-wristed 104 BHP.

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by Aramis1919

Always lusted after a TR6 as a kid and would still love to own one today.

Roughly 70,000 made between 69 and 76 of which only about 10% were UK cars.


UK market cars had 150 BHP and fuel injection. US cars were emasculated by twin carbs which gave the a limp-wristed 104 BHP.

That's right, the US cars were de-tuned and had twin Stromberg carbs I think with fatter heavier protruding bumpers and small square under bumper indicators while the brit ones as you say gave 150hp with Lucas fuel injection and above the slimmer front bumper there were the much more desirable longer side light/indicators directly on the body panel with a BL front spoiler fitted on later models to keep the front end down at high speeds.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by M5Rick

Arguably the most beautiful and affordable British modern classic sports car ever built (sorry for that E-Type and MGB) It all started with the purchase of the Dawson Car Company.

I was in the motor trade during that period. At our Rover/Triumph dealer we had a particular piece of road where we could test whether a specific TR6 was a "Good-un" or a "Bad-un". And test for 'shakes'.

I loved the 2.5 P.I. engines. But the Lucas P.I. system was a bit 'hit or miss' for getting best performance.

I still remember quite clearly prepping a new TR6 in Pimento Red, for one of our customers. Plus fitting the Blaupunkt stereo.

[Aramis1919]

For some reason the 150BHP petrol injected cars were detuned to 125BHP in 1973.

Not sure why this happened but the early cars are more sought after because of the drop in performance.

[WayneM3]

My father was deciding which small sports car to buy in 1975 and went with the more modern Jensen-Healey instead of the TR-6. I still have the Jensen-Healey 48 years later and now it is fuel injected so it runs well.

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by Aramis1919

For some reason the 150BHP petrol injected cars were detuned to 125BHP in 1973.

Not sure why this happened but the early cars are more sought after because of the drop in performance.

Stricter emission controls I believe, already the snowflakes in the gov. were over reacting to the oil crisis.

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by WayneM3

My father was deciding which small sports car to buy in 1975 and went with the more modern Jensen-Healey instead of the TR-6. I still have the Jensen-Healey 48 years later and now it is fuel injected so it runs well.

Yeah that one had the alloy Lotus 16V engine at 144 hp.

[grannyknot]

20 odd years ago I had a 74 TR6 that I dropped a Ford 302 into, way too much power for the frame and the aerodynamics, it got all floaty when you went over 100kph.
Still, it was blast.
All I have now are paper photos so please excuse the quality.

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by grannyknot

20 odd years ago I had a 74 TR6 that I dropped a Ford 302 into, way too much power for the frame and the aerodynamics, it got all floaty when you went over 100kph.
Still, it was blast.
All I have now are paper photos so please excuse the quality.

Probably would have been more floaty without that much needed front spoiler, I'm sure glad you removed those huge ugly overriders transforming the look of the car.

[M5Rick]

Some may have noticed that the actual US chrome bumper was about an inch or more higher closer to the bottom of the headlamps (together with the huge rubber overriders) than the Brit version to meet the front US collision test at the time.