1969 Triumph GT6+: Original vs. Reproduction Parts, etc. (Ep20.Jul24)

[@FrankRicchio]

I also have and restored a 1970 GT6+. It has the original white sun visors that cleaned up extremely well and they are definitely original. As for the tail light lens issue, I have scene the different configurations and I think it is quite possible that as these cars moved down the assembly lines, some of them received different elements from 'Parts Bins' when the specified parts ran out, nothing else explains it. In fact, my GT6 has two, round red lenses that seem a bit large, in fact the rubber base almost, but not quite, rises above the backside to which they are seated.This too does not seem it would have been specified, but perhaps a Parts Bin work-around to keep the line moving. I could be wrong.

[@SmallTriumphSportsLaA]

Thanks for the comments/information. We seem to have evidence that "nonstandard" things were at least occasionally done on the line--and not just in the transition periods when one version of the car was on its way out as the next was being produced (a period in which we might expect some mixing of old and new).

[@tgxperience]

I have a 1970 GT6+. Interestingly, the lamps on this car are amber with no indications of a rear end collision that would have waranted their replacement. This car has been off the road since 1979. Not sure why it has amber lenses. Also of note you will probably discover that nobody sells white sunvisors, which I have now confirmed with multiple owners were fitted with the white headliners. I spoke with Albert at TRF and he says that all references indicate black were fitted but I know for a fact there were cars equipped with white from new.

[@SmallTriumphSportsLaA]

You know, I was thinking about it when I was reviewing my video (before posting), and it occurred to me that a switch to amber lenses in the U.S. may have happened during production for the 1969 model year...but I have no strong evidence. My car was completed in August 1968 and therefore is representative of the earliest 1969 cars. Regarding the 1970 cars, as I indicated in the video, my factory parts catalogue doesn't cover the 1970 model year. However, SpitBits indicates a switch to the 691 lamp and amber lenses for 1970. Also, the U.S. sales brochure for the 1970 model year shows amber flasher lenses (presumably on 691 lamps, with round red reflectors next to them [where the 1969 reverse lamps were]). Regarding sun visors, the factory parts catalogue I have indicates no color for the Mk1 but is specific about black for the 1969 Mk2/+. Presumably there was a change from white to black to match the change in headliner color. The 1970 U.S. sales brochure doesn't give a view of the top of the interior, but the 1970 UK sales brochure definitely shows both a white headliner and white sun visors. I always caution that sales brochures are not definitive evidence of anything, but they are highly suggestive! Of course, the best bet for resolving these things is to find a GT6 parts catalogue issued after the GT6+ updates for 1970.... Thanks for watching and commenting!