Field Find: 1973 Triumph GT6 Mk. 3
While this 1973 Triumph GT6 Mark 3 looks like it was planted in a field in this picture, it’s now been “harvested” and is available for purchase! The 1973 model year was the last for the little coupe; some think the 1971-73 models are the prettiest. Only 8,036 came over the Atlantic in 1973, so read on to see what this year’s harvest looks like.
Well, farmer, we have rust. Not terminal rust, but rust nonetheless. The car looks complete on the outside, but the cracking on the finish indicates that a strip to bare metal will be required. That will probably push this car beyond economical professional restoration, but chemical strippers work pretty darned well if used properly (don’t forget the plastic wrap) and can be done at home. From this view, it’s easy to see why the GT6 was thought of as a mini-Jaguar E-Type when new.
The hatchback turns the GT6 into a surprisingly practical little car if you can get in and out of it. The first GT6 was produced in 1966 and quickly received both accolades and criticism. The styling was always favorably received, especially after the Michelotti refresh for the 1971 model year. Based on the Spitfire, the GT6 received a 1998cc version of the Triumph inline-6, also featured in 2498cc form in the TR250 and TR6 for the USA market and in numerous sedans for the rest of the world. However, the initial Mark 1 cars featured challenging handling when pushed due to its Spitfire-derived swing-axle rear suspension, which was sorted by the Mark 2/Plus models. A less-expensive but still effective solution was implemented by the time this Mark 3 left Coventry.
Here is that inline-6 engine, which features Stromberg 150CD carburetors in this application. A close look at this picture reveals someone was using an electric fuel pump in an attempt to start the engine, and the seller does state the engine runs, so I guess they were successful. They do state that there is a parts car included in the deal (which makes me wonder how rusty that car is!) and that there is a Rebuilt, Rebuildable & Reconstructed title included.
If you look closely, there is a crudely installed patch on the driver’s side, but as a whole, the floor doesn’t look bad. The chromed, cast metal GT6 wheel centers are difficult to find in nice shape; it’s nice to see all four here. I wonder if seats come with the parts car? If this Triumph has piqued your interest, you can find it for sale here on eBay and you’ll be transporting it from Monroe, Louisiana. The opening bid is $1,250 which I think is a bit steep, but perhaps you think otherwise! If any of you have owned a GT6, tell us about the experience in the comments!
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Comments
When I had my factory job in 1973, I was flush with cash at $4.50/hr.( up from $1.77 at Target gas station) and bought my MGB to celebrate. Another fellow “prisoner” at the foundry( it was an awful job) had a blue GT6+. We had a blast chasing each other. In a drag race, we were dead even, but naturally, outhandled the MG on curves. These were extremely front heavy, and more than once, I watched as he spun out pushing it too hard on corners. The hot setup was a TR6 motor in these, but those motors are rare too, and this motor did fine. They had such a sweet exhaust note when the muffler was torn off. Sadly, I see little, if any interest in this car today.
Like all used cars, if the owner just cleaned it up a little bit, it might draw more interest and a better price. You can see it’s a full restore but if the junk, dirt and rust was minimalized, the trained eye people could see it more closely. Just looking at the picture of the engine shows those Stromberg carb pistons looking as if they are stuck like glue!! As I have said before, many people today think they have a piece of gold when really all they have is oxidized iron ready to be part outed for what is salvageable and the rest to go to the scrap heap!! I am always amazed when I look at a car like this to think that one day this car was brand new!!
The Mk-3 is the one to have if you want to drive it! I shopped around for a GT6 back around 1983/1985. I was dead set on a GT6+ which resulted in not buying a well deserving GT6 Mk3. (short story is that I gave up and bought a TR4A. So, here you have a 51 year old car with straight panels, trim, lights, and glass. Yes, it is worth the asking price. Yes, it should be fully disassembled prior to cleaning up to reassemble. I hope that happens instead of becoming a parts car.
Harvested… I like that term.
Built a 69 gt6 convertible in this same color I would just transfer this to a spit and do it again part out the rest the bonnets and glass are worth good money
A “GT6 convertible”? That would be a Spitfire, Triumph never made a GT6 convertible.
Brit in our SCCA region grafted a GT6 top on a roadster and made a vintage race car out of it. Still 4 cylinder but a nice looking car.