1971 triumph GT6

As some of you know, I've been contemplating buying a car for vintage racing. I came across what appears to be a nice GT6 that's currently set up for autocross, so it has some engine and suspension mods, but no roll cage or fuel cell. What can you tell me about these cars, and what should I look for if I do go to look at it?

First off--- make sure you fit. They aren't big inside--- especially with a cage. I'll leave the other advice to the Triumph experts out there, as my knowledge of them is pretty limited. Our Group 44 car did sound fantastic though....what an angry little car!

In reply to Joe Gearin:

Have you ever tried to get into vintage TVR? I owned two 2500M's and fit fine, so hopefully I won't have a problem fitting in this one. In any case, I won't know that until I make the trip to go see it, but thanks for the heads up. Is it the same engine that's in the TR-6?

I'm trusting that nobody here will steal this one from me, so here's the ad because I want as much information as I can get.

http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/cto/4952359355.html

The Group 44 GT6 was fast and sounded evil, but from what I gather it wasn't the easiest car to drive fast. The 2 liter Triumph motor didn't suffer from the weird harmonics that the 2.5 in the TR6 did. The TR6 had essentially a stroked GT6 motor. Interior ventilation was barely adequate. I'd love to have one, but I've reached my limit of Triumphs.

Wow, that's a beautiful GT6.

I'm curious: why did you decide to get rid of the TVRs?

Why aren't you looking for one already set up for vintage racing?

bravenrace wrote: I'm trusting that nobody here will steal this one from me, so here's the ad because I want as much information as I can get. http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/cto/4952359355.html

<books one way ticket to Pittsburgh>

.

That's a beautiful car. They can rust pretty well, but if the "no rust" isn't the spelled "it's all filler" that looks like a decent price to me. One of my concerns would be how much additional money you'd have to dump into it to turn it into a race car and if whoever you want to run with is OK with the mods already on the car. Would be a pity if you had to drop those Keihins, for example.

There was one advertised in CM out here a few months ago that was more of a trackday car (hotted up engine, cage, can't remember if it had a fuel cell already or not) for about $2k less, so more trackworthy ones can be found for similar or less money.

Thas just 50 miles from me.

but I really want a TR-6 for a retirement project

that could work tho

In reply to fasted58:

You're not playin' nice.

In reply to Woody:

I bought the first one to restore. Then I found one that was mostly restored, with only the fun stuff left to do, so I bought that, fixed the stuff that was needed on the first one, and then sold the first one. Then the second one sat for a couple years because of other things going on, and I felt like I was never going to get to it, so I sold it. I now regret that decision, but it's too late. And while I'd love to vintage race one, the years I would be interested in are not eligible for the one race I really want to do, and the thought of damaged fiberglass that's hard to replace would scare me off anyway.

gjz30075 wrote: Why aren't you looking for one already set up for vintage racing?

I am, but I'm not having much luck finding anything.

There were actually two Group 44 GT6s, an early one (that I owned) and the later one that Jim Dolan now owns. My car usually won or broke in nearly every race. By the time the later car came out, the Japanese competition was too much and it did poorly. My car actually drove pretty darned well. Group 44 knew how to set up a car and I followed their setup exactly. It was faster than my beloved TR3. I would highly recommend you not buy this car. They are frightfully fragile!!!! Group 44 reportedly changed transmissions between every session. I raced my car just a few times and replaced the engine twice and I think the gear box once. The difs are undersized for the power the engine makes. In 1970 Fuertenau was winning the Runoffs when the transmission failed. Pick a 240Z if you want something that looks like. If you decide to buy and race this car I will send you a hammer so that you can repeatedly smack yourself upside the head. You will like that too. The feeling will be similar.

Well. I guess the voice of experience has spoken. Back to looking for a spridget race car...

In reply to Tim Suddard:

Friends of mine raced GT6's back in the day when I was racing a Spitfire. I don't recall any of them having the problems of which you speak. Maybe they're cars weren't as stretched to the limit as the Group 44 cars but they were quite competitive in the DP class in club races. Main competition was always the Datsun 2000's or Lotus 7's.

bravenrace wrote: I'm trusting that nobody here will steal this one from me, so here's the ad because I want as much information as I can get. http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/cto/4952359355.html

I know this car - I've seen it in person at local shows and drooled over it a few times when it was for sale here in eastern PA. I don't understand converting this particular car into a race car. You would have to essentially tear it down to a bare shell and replace everything as very little of what's there would be legal for vintage racing. Start with something that already needs to be restored/rebuilt. I wish I had $12K around or I'd buy it. It's essentially what I want to turn my '72 GT6 into.

As far as size goes, I'd also agree about trying a real race car on for size first. I know TVR's quite well as I see them often (big local club presence near me). The interior is quite a bit larger than a GT6. I'm 5'10 and just barely fit comfortably in a stock car. I'm not sure about a caged version - bare in mind the Group 44 car only had a roll-bar and was thus less intrusive.

IMHO, it you want a stone-reliable vintage racer, look at Volvos. The B18/20 is a tough engine. The M40/41 transmissions and diffs (Dana 30) are tough. The car itself is tough. And roomy inside. While my heart also wants a LBC, my brain (and wallet) says Volvo.

http://newhaven.craigslist.org/cto/4897144393.html

Woody wrote: http://newhaven.craigslist.org/cto/4897144393.html

I know this car. And "Mike" is Michael Silverstein from Automotive Restorations, Inc. I saw it in the paddock at Lime Rock last September and I talked to Mike. It wasn't racing that weekend, just on display. At the time, he was asking $14,500 and motivated to sell it for $12,500 on the spot. So I'd say there's plenty of negotiating room in the $18,500 CL asking price. It's a very, very nice turn key Spitfire race car. Worth every penny of $12,500 in prep effort.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/MG-Midget-2-door-convertable-/141626721497

1962 MG Midget ex Rocky Mountain Vintage Racing. ( RMVR ) Race Car with a log book and clear title (last raced in 2001) which with a few upgrades could quickly become a vintage racer again.

bravenrace wrote: Well. I guess the voice of experience has spoken. Back to looking for a spridget race car...

http://newlondon.craigslist.org/cto/4910953168.html

I'm selling my '69 Sprite. (It's basically an MG Midget with different badging). Restored with rebuilt engine and transmission. Mechanicals in good working condition with many original parts along with new and rebuilt parts as needed. New fuel tank. Newer tires, shocks & springs. New exhaust. New top and tonneau cover. Carpets replaced. New electrical system including complete wire harness replacement, ignition switch, and headlight switch. Installed headlight relay kit. New Weber carburetor. New battery. Body restoration includes replacement/repair of panels, fenders and rocker panels. Body was sanded to bare metal and professionally painted. No rust issues. Frame and undercarriage are solid and straight. Vehicle suspension is firm and steering is tight and responsive. No major modifications other than carburetor and relays. Great care was taken to maintain originality and the "British spirit" of the vehicle. Vehicle had recent safety and mechanical inspection by professional mechanic.

Gary wrote:

Woody wrote: http://newhaven.craigslist.org/cto/4897144393.html

I know this car. And "Mike" is Michael Silverstein from Automotive Restorations, Inc. I saw it in the paddock at Lime Rock last September and I talked to Mike. It wasn't racing that weekend, just on display. At the time, he was asking $14,500 and motivated to sell it for $12,500 on the spot. So I'd say there's plenty of negotiating room in the $18,500 CL asking price. It's a very, very nice turn key Spitfire race car. Worth every penny of $12,500 in prep effort.

This is it:

http://www.automotiverestorations.com/sales/home/1965-triumph-spitfire-0

(Appears to have a Ford Sierra gearbox).

Bravenrace, buy this at $12,500. You will be satisfied!

http://www.newenglandclassics.com/cars/NE-1964-8/

$9800

Go to the Sideways Technologies site and do a search for GT6 Steve who has one he races regularly. And Kas Kastner has a detailed build up of one in his last book.

Kas Kastner is still happy to answer questions as well.

http://kaskastnersforum.yuku.com/forums/64/General-Discussion

Gary wrote:

Gary wrote:

Woody wrote: http://newhaven.craigslist.org/cto/4897144393.html

I know this car. And "Mike" is Michael Silverstein from Automotive Restorations, Inc. I saw it in the paddock at Lime Rock last September and I talked to Mike. It wasn't racing that weekend, just on display. At the time, he was asking $14,500 and motivated to sell it for $12,500 on the spot. So I'd say there's plenty of negotiating room in the $18,500 CL asking price. It's a very, very nice turn key Spitfire race car. Worth every penny of $12,500 in prep effort.

This is it: http://www.automotiverestorations.com/sales/home/1965-triumph-spitfire-0 (Appears to have a Ford Sierra gearbox). Bravenrace, buy this at $12,500. You will be satisfied!

On the automotive restorations site he's asking $19.5k. You really think I can talk him down that to $12.5k?

Woody wrote: http://www.newenglandclassics.com/cars/NE-1964-8/ $9800

Thanks Jeff. That one is too much of a project for me.