The 1970 Triumph GT6+ Is A Bloody Brilliant Sports Car | Jalopnik

The Mazda Miata that everyone loves is supposed to be based on old British sports cars like the Triumph GT6+. The thing is every time you see one on the road, you wonder-are these things actually good? Or are they just for weirdo masochists who like British things?
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[@Jalopnik]

It was a...triumph: jalopnik.com/the-triumph-gt6-is-proof-old-british-sports-cars-are-w-1831052390

[@noizz]

I'm making a note here: HUGE SUCCESS!

[@rcknbob1]

When I went to buy my first car (well, Dad was paying), we went to the local Ford lot and headed to the used cars. I'm pretty sure Dad expected me to pick up a Galaxie or maybe a Falcon, but I swooped in on a Spitfire. Don't ask me what it was doing on an Indiana suburban Ford lot, but I fell in love. My father, bless his heart, played along, and after the test drive and the inspection, he asked, "What kind of car did you say this is?" I told him it was a Triumph and without missing a beat, he said "Over what?" I had that car for close to 20 years - rebuilt it when it fell apart. I miss that thing.

[@jimevans1112]

The engine was very reliable but they go through clutches left and right.

[@royfearn4345]

I've owned two GT6s and I can truly say they both gave me such good times. You don't so much drive them as wear them!

[@HackaweekTV]

This car is awesome. Owned one, still want one.

[@rossr6616]

me too, a '69

[@RoninGamingFox]

Are these still in circulation

[@rossr6616]

@@RoninGamingFox available in used markets and I read that parts are readily available(perhaps some spitfire parts too).

[@RoninGamingFox]

@@rossr6616 obviously not new lol. Yea it seems rare ive seen the tr that little convertable

[@ausimike1]

Same

[@dianerandise6612]

My very first car was a 72 Spitfire. Slow, underpowered but a lot of fun to drive and work on. I went on to E-Types and my buddy went on to a GT 6+. More fun than you can imagine. Great little car.

[@branon6565]

In spite of all of its faults, gotta admit that it's one good lookin ride....

[@christianlibertarian5488]

For all the comments I have seen here, these two hit the nail on the head. The Miata is better in every way, but I much prefer my Spitfire. It is slow as a dairy horse, loud as a tin shack in a hail storm, breaks down every 500 yards, and will leave you stranded anywhere you go. I love my Spitfire. Handles like a go-cart, gets looks from everyone on the street, and gives me feedback like no other vehicle I have ever been in. I think I could drive it with my eyes closed. Shifter lets you feel the teeth engaging. Just plain fun from word one.

[@franciscotoro9454]

I owned a TR6 fitted with "Lucas, the Prince of Darkness" electricals and when I bought it, it was a rust bucket. But after rational restoration (not concourse BS) It never left me stranded even though it was my daily driver in the summer and a long distance hauler. The reason most British cars have bad reliability rap is because they were cheap and the people who bought them could not always afford regular maintenance, so the car would fall apart and would be dubbed a lemon. In fact, well maintained, British sports cars are head and shoulders above anything else. I sill would prefer to have my TR6 back instead of the Z3 or even the Carrera 4S cabrio, because it is not always about raw speed, but about joy, like a dog with the head out the window...

[@andrewwarren4414]

As a British person, I was personally very impressed by the reviewers' use of Walkers crisps. I also love the car, and when I was a young man, I had a Spitfire MkIV and desperately wanted one of these. Now the children are leaving school, I shall have one...

[@UmmYeahOk]

When I was in England, back in 2000, I bought a bag of Walkers crisps hoping like hell that they would taste just like the classic Lays chips we have back home. The bag design even looked like it, to the point where I questioned whether it was the same company. They did taste identical BTW, at least that flavor.

[@orcaflotta7867]

The Triumph GT6 is bloody brilliant, a legend.

[@tunnelrabbit4293]

The reason I looked up this car was because we modified a TR4 by installing the GT6 plus drive train in it, including the exhaust, and I was reminiscing about how wonderful it sounded. We had rolled the GT6 on a mountain corner more than 35 years ago, but my memory is still good. The GT6 is did not have the Spitfire motor, but a motor with a shorter stroke that revved higher. The combination of the resonator, muffler and the quick reeving motor was so fantastic, and made the vehicle exciting to drive whether it was in the gt6 or the TR4. It was a work of art that was best part of European engineering, now absent. BTW, the hard top on the GT6 held up nicely after 2 1/2 flat rolls. landing on the roof. We walked away.

[@pauloconnor7951]

My Dad owned a 2000 and 4-5 2.5TC !!!. Yes torquey 2.5 !. I got to thrash a TR6 around Los Angeles for a while. First 100mph was in a TR6. Great motor !!!

[@patrickroohan7633]

The stroke of the GT6 engine was 76 mils, the same as the original 803 cc engine from the early 50's. The stroke remained the same on all of the engines, apart from the Spitfire 1500.

[@Andrew-bv6qc]

the sound of that i6 is awesome

[@stephenandjeanette3095]

I've owned 3 plus a Spitfire. Only sold the final one to raise the deposit on my first house. Fond memories and, by the way, all very reliable.

[@xanderfrench4011]

As someone that has spent hundreds and hundreds of hours restoring his grandads old mark one triumph gt6 from the age of 12 to 19. Constantly researching them and outsourcing parts. To a point where I've got the car to a racing standard with the assistance of the triumph sports six club etc. I can honestly say that not only is your vehicular journalism beyond dire, in both it's inaccurcy and lack of thought, but the deliverance of it was also inappropriate. You commented on the Steering having play in it without asking the owner if this because his around 50 year old car was in need of a new steering bush etc or if that was how they left the factory in 66, or 68 for this particular example. Also ignoring interesting design floors like the swing spring suspension that can be seen as dangerous too many. Wait. Hang on. Ah yes, you forgot to mention that as that would have taken research but instead you decided to just wing it and talk about things wrong that you immediately noticed like this cars need of new steering bushes or whatever the exact fault may be. The only research done here was a five minute interview with the owner, at most. Also the gt6 is not just a spitfire with a roof. But then again why do research, much better to just do a stupid english accent to try and make the audience laugh, it didn't work. You wouldn't see someone reviewing a Mercedes while eating a sausage and doing a fake German accent. Drop the packet of walkers crisps and pick up your laptop and research the car. I mean this with no disrespect but the brutally honest truth is this is an amazing display of pretentious and uneducated rubbish and puts the cars in a bad light. Also what about them being slow? group 44 had these vehicles dominating racing in the USA with tunes cars being known to hit 140 miles per hour. Even this car will do 110 in 1968. You'll find with modern spark plugs, HT leads and electronic ignition (which most will all have today) will do 115mph. That is still 45 mph over the 70mph limit with a 0-60 of around 9 seconds assuming the above has been done to the car.

[@rossr6616]

Keybwordnfor Presenters #Deliverance ;)

[@eoincampbell5032]

He's bloody absolutely right! I've owned 3 Mk3 Spits and would love an early GT6... they are awesome... these two clowns may as well be reviewing molecular science with as much research. 👎

[@mikeakaspike]

I thought the exact same thing. I was like, who chose these people to do this? These people are the same people who hire someone to change their oil. People who's depth of understanding of a vehicle's power output is measured in the number of cylinders. Frankly, they are obnoxious, and this is a wasted opportunity with an excellent example of a GT6+.

[@oldmillrd8153]

Great reply Xander. Having owned a Mark II Spitfire in the 60's and lusting/longing to upgrade to a GT6 I was extremely disappointed to say the least in their review.

[@mescko]

With all due respect, I cut some slack to young-uns like this, particularly American ones. How much can you spout about a '62 Studebaker Hawk GT? They LIKE the car, after all.

[@richardwaugh2049]

They're so caught up with themselves

[@jimhall9624]

people who own and drive these cars get their hands dirty and enjoy doing it ! we are from a different time period and learned to love the cars !

[@Enochthehammer]

Just acquired a 1970 GT6+. Great car. Turning a wrench won’t kill you.

[@NicholasWarnertheFirst]

It's been a year now and I have actually come back to watch again. Bravo. Love from England 🇬🇧

[@piotrmakulec968]

1:17 You meant 'bonnet', didn't you. ;)

[@AllTheBestCO]

They shouldn't be doing this video.

[@michaelcuff5780]

Piotr Makulec a bonnet is a hat that little girls wear on their heads!

[@mk2escort138]

Michael Cuff a hood is something on a jacket not a car

[@isaacsrandomvideos667]

Ikr

[@Mind-your-own-beeswax]

Yes a bonnet. Bloody yanks

[@EnglishroG]

Lovely dashboard on the GT6 and the sound is lovely.

[@mescko]

The dash is from a Mark 1. In 1968 was the beginning of US 'safety' crap. The later dashes couldn't be glossy and they didn't have toggle switches anymore, they were rocker switches. And they had to add big pads to the bottom edge of the dashboard. This dash was retrofitted. It is lovely.

[@oldsoulshow]

As a past GT-6 owner they are fun cars. Not the best handling, front heavy & rear end will come around front if not driven carefully. Also the foot well is HOT, the gas pedal will melt a flip flop. Best driven in cool/cold climates. Most people will think it is an E-Type Jag.

[@marcuslovelace5953]

Had a 69 gt6 Completely agree With your statement My rear came around I bounced off some trees End of a pretty car

[@Motologist95]

That's a first gen GT6 (Mk I,) not a Mk II. The GT6 Mk II has a different nose. Also, you've got the logic behind the hardtop backwards. Triumph wanted to put their 6-cylinder into the Spitfire, but the chassis was not ridgid enough; the hardtop was added to stiffen the chassis. These things rust from being looked at, the stock motor is an underpowered 440 lb. boat anchor, and the later models had a single leaf spring rear suspension. Love em' to death, there's a 72' and 73' GT6 in my garage, one is getting an engine swap.

[@MetroDubs]

It's a GT6+ for sure being a 1970, has the rear vents. Taillights are changed, has a mk1 hood with mk2 indicators. I have a 1970 GT6+ with a 2.5l early TR6 motor, overdrive diff with a TR6 4 speed. One of the most reliable cars I've ever owned. Maybe that's not saying much compared to my early watercooled vw/ audis

[@jimpatterson7954]

To me it looks like the bonnet has had the bumper lowered (it's sticking out more than usual) as the indicators are the later ones (not round)

[@Motologist95]

@@MetroDubs You'd know better than I do in that case. Do you consider the GT6+ a Mk I or a Mk II? Or is it its own thing? I've always heard of them as the Mk I+. I agree it's probably more reliable than the brother's 1984.5 Scirocco, although I'm opting for a Toyota motor and transmission in my Mk. III

[@jibcano1777]

@@Motologist95 my dad had one of the convertible ones when I was younger. Sweet cars. Seen one on craigslist with a half finished electric swap at one point lol

[@jasonleedham5678]

I used to drive a Spit for a few years, and the steering was always sharp and responsive, certainly no slop or play (heavy if the trunnions were gone though!) did US models have a different rack? or is this one worn out?

[@paddy1437]

haha good effort with the south african/australian accents. nearly had me convinced...love it dood

[@randombuilds8336]

I've got a 73 spitfire, but I swapped a 4AGE in from an AE86. More power, starts every time I turn the key and 0-60 in under 7 seconds. It's like driving a big go cart.

[@brianmacadam4793]

I own a 1970 GT6+ , someone upgraded to a high compression head prior to my ownership, I've upgraded the rear suspension and installed a Toyota 5 speed and high ratio rear end. This turned the car into a real road machine. With the higher ratio gears and much more horsepower, I can cruise at low revs and REALLY cut the heat that goes into the cabin ( I spent some time on insulating EVERYTHING) . Top end is a bit frightening as it is so small and so light.

[@vintagecarsofboston1163]

Love the GT6.

[@GG-py9vp]

Oh how I loved my red GT6 in Ottawa Canada in the sixties. It was six cylinder and so powerful. But the long hood and short back made it so hard to drive in the snow that I had to have a second car. But I still dream about that car - you can talk about the MGB,and the TR6 (never the TR7) but I loved that GT6.

[@rjphotos]

I owned one many years ago. It was fabulous. Great engine and a joy to drive.

[@benzinapaul7416]

Why are you speaking in an Australian accent?

[@ivanpang3504]

Beat me to it

[@MiG2880]

And me.

[@psk1w1]

That is a north American accent, no way is he 'Strine. Just no way

[@jennysbloke]

And me !

[@PhilUKNet]

I thought it was Dick Van Dyke.

[@alanwayte432]

Great car, I had a Mk2 from 1981-85 and have just purchased a 1969 Mk2 as a restoration in my midlife crisis.....60mph on a British B road is the sweet spot...it’s life affirming, once you sort of the rear suspension and add a custom wiring loom, you will have an easy to work on, reliable refined classic....I drove my late Fathers Spitfire 1500 on B Road yesterday and at 70mph it was much more fun than the return much faster journey in my 2017 BMW M4.....great quirky little cars

[@Triumphs1962]

All the comments that state “the cars rust like hell, need a ton of maintenance are from people who are daft! I have a 1972 TriumphTR6 that I restored in 2005, yeah it is a California car but there was no rust when I started the resto and after i rebuilt the motor in 2003 I have not maintained it other then changing the oil and filters. Triumph engines were essentially sourced from firms who supplied engines in farm tractors. There are numerous race and rally records from Triumph Tr3’s. The british cars that were convertibles, the owners would leave them out in the snow and rain some of them never saw a garage, what the hell!! Who would do that to a rag top? At some point, If they stopped running the owner would put a poly blue “car killer” tarp on them thinking they keeping the weather out when all the while the moisture wasn’t able to escape. The car would stay that way for years rusting from the inside out. As far as as the statement from some that they are not reliable, haha go to a Ferrari garage and see the old Ferraris in there needing a timing belt ( under 35k miles) and oil changes that cost hundreds of dollars. British cars are meant for people wanting to have tons of fun for a small sum.

[@williamrichards3707]

In 1973 I bought a 71 GT6+ with 10k miles and had the 1998 cc reworked to 2600cc and it was an animal clocked by a Hyw Patrol at 142 mph. At 1998 cc 106 mph. Wish I had that car today.

[@bunkie2100]

It’s a GT6+, but the bonnet is from an earlier model. Think about this: 100hp and 2000 pounds empty. It had instant torque at 70 in fourth gear making it a great car for highway passing. I loved the one that I owned. Sitting in it, looking out over the sculpted bonnet with the louvers and hearing the fabulous sound of a straight six, it made me feel as if I was driving an E-type. No car I’ve ever owned (and I’ve owned some iconic cars) had as big an effect on me.

[@mescko]

Peter, I've had 3, and I *completely* agree. I never should have sold my last one, the prices have gone bat-shit crazy, beyond my ability or willingness to pay for.

[@gregorytimmons4777]

Owned 2. Had no other sports cars to measure them against as my 67 Bette convertible was just too far removed from these to compare. Then I got a 66 Alfa Gulia 1600. What a revelation. Love Alfa's. Loved my Triumph's too. Especially on the days I sold each of them.

[@eflanagan1921]

@@gregorytimmons4777 2 happiest days ? Buy and sell !

[@neuxstone]

Peter Hansen it's the correct bonnet but the Arlie's low bumper....

[@kimisdaman]

My college buddy had a MGC-GT, and he routinely "compared" his car to my '69 GT6+ on the highway.

[@bigwheelsturning]

The GT6 was something I saw in the rear view mirror of my Datsun 2000. :)

[@ynottonyify]

You were lucky! GT6 driver would have to look at your Datsun.

[@kimmer6]

My 68 GT-6 whipped a Porsche Turbo Carrera in the early 80's. I put in a 2.5 liter TR-6 engine, Rayjay turbo sucking through a 2'' SU carb. It had a GM T-50 overdriven 5 speed trans, Chevy flywheel, clutch, and Chevy starter. I had water/alcohol sprayer in the carb inlet and a pressure retard distributor advance unit. I used to see 13-14psi boost and it would spin the tires in 3rd as it passed 4000 rpm. Some guy in a Porsche 914-6 used to blow me away every morning on lower Higuera St, San Luis Obispo, on the way to school. He tried it again a few months after I got everything running right. When I let off, he was about 150 feet behind me. The power came on like a 2 stroke. Rear ends would grenade and I lost track on how many I replaced. Something like 12-14 of them. The lower end of the engine held up fine but the ring lands on the pistons would collapse and it would instantly blow blue smoke. I couldn't afford custom forged pistons. I had a Jag rear rend but lost interest in the car after buying a Ferrari 308GTS. Your Datsun 2000 could easily out accelerate it but the thing looked fast even parked.

[@MicheleBoland]

If I could find a decent GT6 I would buy it! I love them,

[@eflanagan1921]

Not even with a time machine ,IMHO.

[@memybikeni9931]

I went to look at one yesterday at a local dealer, on for £17k, and a very nice example,

[@04dram04]

They have shot up in price

[@tuffguy007]

Many problems to iron out before these cars are "good". When I was a younger man I owned only British sports cars (in the 70s - 90s). I learned a lot about fixing British sports cars.

[@neuxstone]

JAG-WIRE ...really?

[@gregorytimmons4777]

MK1 bonnet. Probably been in a shunt. Flexible wooden dash. Bare steering rod with no outer covering. No stop to prevent front wheels from plowing when they go a full 90° to the direction of travel. 3rd member meant for a 4 banger. Great torque from inline 6. Closest thing to a go kart for the street I have ever driven. I've owned 2. That's enough for me.

[@caeserromero3013]

My Dad had one before I was born, actually sold it buy a 'family car'. He told me it was great to drive...when it worked. He apparently spent most of his time fixing it. It leaked oil, the exhaust rusted and he had to weld it up multiple times. The suspension bushes would crack and need to be replaced, the head gasket blew etc etc. Everything people associated with British Cars of the 1970's. Luckily Dad worked in engineering so could often fabricate certain parts when needed, but overall, unless you enjoyed maintaining them and had an understanding of mechanical engineering, the time and money to spend on it and no small children, he wouldn't recommend owning one.

[@MrDodgedollar]

“The exhaust rusted”… Give me a ****ing Break

[@caeserromero3013]

@@MrDodgedollar Who says you deserve one?

[@noahcooper9848]

The production mini van keeping up behind is perfect.

[@colinjohnhunt88]

This car had the same engine as the TR6, just the 2.0 litre derivative, extremely reliable. They were fantastic fun to drive and nothing like the Spitfire! I had both the Mk1 and a Mk2 (until it was stolen)!

[@joeycardoza5682]

I loved the 1971 GT6+ that i had. No real horsepower beast but it would handle both a bent and straight road like a dream. I got 5 speeding tickets from using 4th gear while commuting on the hiway, It got to where i hated looking in the rear mirror. She wanted to GO, the Cops said No! lol Had more than expected maintenance and minor failure issues, sold it before going off to University and took the 68 Chevelle with me instead. Can i have it back now please? lol

[@mikemarquez8972]

I had a 71 also, and I spent my time turning wrenches, but it would fly away from my brothers 68 xr7 cougar

[@franciscotoro9454]

Actually the GT6 is not just a Spitfire with a hard top. The Spitfire had a 4 cylinder engine whereas the GT6 was fitted with a Triumph TR6 inline 6 cylinder engine

[@UmmYeahOk]

They mentioned the 2 liter inline 6 immediately after the spitfire with a hardtop comment, explaining how it was needed to overcome the additional weight.

[@mescko]

@@UmmYeahOk The GT6 engine is the same block but with a *much* shorter stroke. The 2L revs quicker and higher. It's a jewel.

[@UmmYeahOk]

@@mescko the GT6 has the same block as a 4 cylinder Spitfire?

[@marcnewman3685]

Had my 1970 GT6 Plus since 1972. If money were of no concern, I would still take a Gt6 over any car ever made just for the joy of driving. BUT, I don't know which weight more, the engine or all the tools I carry with me to keep it up.LOL.

[@Dave-hc6pp]

I owned one back in the early 70’s. A Cadillac cut me off on the freeway and I rear ended it at about 70 mph. My car caught on fire and some truck driver from Pittsburgh drug me out of the car.

[@herrunsinn774]

I'm glad you survived to tell the tale.

[@cw5865]

I miss mine as I bought one in 70, following a 69 Spitfire. Fun times...

[@rolandmontas8657]

I had a 1967 GT6 first generation and drove it during the 70s... New York city potholes made me first a regular at the local junkyard in order to purchase used hubs and wire wheels. By mid 70s, as they became rare I learned how to brake efficiently . The problematic issue was the Lucas generator that eventually was set aside and replaced by a GM alternator... swap never worked properly but the car was a joy. Best trip NYC to Newport News Virginia by the Bay Bridge tunnel and over pass during a down pour summer storm....just pure hellish.

[@AuralVirus]

Its interesting to hear that the car goes slow but feels fast - I owned a 69 mk3 spitfire, it would literally EAT the currently presumed sports cars of the 90's - leaving them in the dust from a dead start - ford xr3i owners must have been so pissed. Admittedly I had replaced the 12xx cc engine with a 1500 dolimite engine with overdrive :) Still miss my spitfire, rear wheel feel off, skidded down the road, and when i returned to recover it early the following morning a landrover or similar ahd driven over the back end writing it off completely, sold for £100..... (having spent multiple 1000's on it) - today i could have sold it for £2k as a resoration :( better still should have garaged it and fixed it up but i was in my teens and money was yet to be available.

[@cpF01]

I had a 1967 Triumph Spitfire back in high school. I was awesome... but it did take every cent of my KFC paycheck to keep it on the road. One thing these cars have over the Miata is driver legroom. At 6'3" I can't fit into a Miata but had loads of room in the Spitfire. Cool car🤘😀👍

[@joecebu2791]

Yes. I had a 73 spit. My friend was 6'6" and he commented that he was surprised over how much leg room he had.

[@bigcity2085]

Yup, amazing room in the spitfire and none in the Tr6...but a fun motor.

[@joecebu2791]

@@bigcity2085 i always wanted a tr6. It looked sweet and i wanted that 6 cylinder. Well, at least i had fun with the spitfire.

[@rossr6616]

Leg Room = Crush Zone, but yes, plenty for a 6’4” guy

[@stevehatfield117]

My Spitfire would have been changing lanes back and forth if I'd been wagging the wheel like you did at 7:00. ..corner like a fly rimmin' a sugar bowl...

[@pir869]

At one pint my spitfires rack bushes(rubber) were oily and worn and the whole rack would move before it hit the mounts then it would move the wheels,it's waiting to be sprayed and put back together after around 15yrs off the road.

[@markletts2000]

Poor mans E type..beautiful car,.rust magnets,.in uk weather,they would literally rust in front of you..the Spitfires left the factory with rust as a standard option..

[@paulhunter123]

wife still driving you around?

[@04dram04]

I personally think they better looking than the E-type. But not by much. I love small sports cars

[@tananam9782]

Yup. And the Toyota FJ-55 rusted on the boat on the way over. They should train for Mars missions in my driveway.

[@mrc7966]

I used to own an E type, I never understand when people refer to Triumphs or MG's as poor men's E types, they're a totally different kettle of fish. It's like calling an MX5 a poor man's XKR...they're just not comparable, in some situations the Jag would be better, in others I'd rather be in an MX5.

[@AuralVirus]

you mean the etype was a snobby pretentious mans spitfire..... try buying a restored gt6/spitefire mk1-3 and tell me they're still "poormans" =D

[@tacokamstra6434]

Get someone who knows anything about cars before you do another clip like this.

[@isaacsrandomvideos667]

What you think triumphs aren’t good?

[@xanderfrench4011]

@@isaacsrandomvideos667 I don't think he's saying that, it's just the journalism in this video is poor. I own a 67 mk1 and kinda cringed at some of the stuff these guys said

[@larryenglish8900]

yeah they are just chatters

[@CUSTOMADE13]

@@xanderfrench4011 like what?

[@Fubar_The_WEF]

Absolutely. They said the GT6 was derived from the Spitfire and when Triumph put the roof on, it was too heavy. The Spitfire was derived from the Triumph Herald (my first car), which mostly came in hard top form. My Herald was a hard top and had a 1200cc 4 pot engine, not the 2.5 litre straight 6 that the GT6 has.

[@MajorKlanga]

The Miata was inspired by the Lotus Elan and MGB.

[@johncahill3018]

@Mark McMarkface Exactly right! Also, the "British" look they're talking about is Italian (Giovanni Michelotti).

[@jimmygrant3212]

Mark McMarkface not just inspired. Designed off the Lotus Elan. Japan doesn’t do very well creating original ideas and designs…

[@JCKCPA]

Also the Spitfire, it is well documented

[@horsedood13]

@@JCKCPA ..NOT!..."Designed off the Lotus Elan" .........period!. A "well documented fact". :-P

[@Sailfire1]

And designed/engineered by a British team :)

[@beegee22]

"You all need to get your shit together and export some shit." Ah .... the eloquence of informed insight.

[@Erok8019]

If the GT6+ has slop in the steering now, a well maintained one DOESN'T. Personal experience. I owned one.

[@kevinhouston8950]

I had a Spitfire a Jenson-Healy and loved them all. The wiring was crap and you needed to carry a set of points and condensor with you but 10 min under the hood and you were off again.

[@EinKerl3554]

The Miata is the best British sports car ever built, it just happens to come from Japan.

[@Sailfire1]

But designed and engineered by a Britsh team, with a little input from Japan and a few Americans. But, basically, it was a British design.

[@jakekaywell5972]

Despite all the shit-slinging the Internet has in store for English cars, I quite like this one. Then again, my first experience with classic cars was with a 1966 Austin-Healey 3000 Mk. III and a 1979 MG Midget, so perhaps I'm a bit biased. I have a 1962 Studebaker GT Hawk now, but I will always carry fond memories of those mechanical marvels from across the pond.

[@logan86123]

@paul austin I think you're being too cynical. Triumph was a small manufacturer and they weren't really catering to the serious enthusiast market, but if you wanted something cheap there weren't exactly a million other options.

[@racketman2u]

@paul austin Sure, but those cars would cost three times the price of the Triumphs, horses for courses, and it was the affordable Brit sportscars that defined the breed, not the hybrid afterthoughts.

[@rossr6616]

My dad had a Hawk and a Commander but I was too small to remember them, other than breaking down on the Golden Gate Bridge…on Christmas Night, foggy, deserted, with my mother at the wheel; I must have been 4 or 5 years old. Tow truck pulled us off and we got to sit in the bridge office overlooking the toll plaza; fun time for a kid I guess!

[@waterdragon4950]

My first car was a ‘69 Spitfire. $2500 new. Great fun.

[@edfrawley4356]

Hey Jalopnik I hope you have it on your to do list to visit Canada and test drive Fanatix Motorsports GT6. They have done a great job with their restomod. Full frame, LS power, Ford manual 5speed, Corvette rear end, Crown Vic front end, power steering, AC, Mazda seats. Even well balanced gas struts for the tilt front end.

[@Ed1271]

The transmission was like, wait on things to mesh. No Syncronisers!

[@tunnelrabbit4293]

FYI, the 4 cyl is a 1950's design tractor motor for Massey Ferguson tractors. I use to own the tractor, and the 4cyl Triumph motor using in TR3 and TR4.

[@patrickroohan7633]

You might like to check your "facts" again. The SC motor of the early 50's was an 803 cc 4 cylinder. This was developed, stretched, poked up to 2000 cc. and then stroked again for 2500 cc. The TR2-4 had the "tractor engine", not the Spitfire.

[@martinbeardmore7533]

Straight Six was Triumphs best ever engine but the transveres leaf spring at the rear was a widow maker.

[@johnj4233]

That inline 6 sounded so good. My dad bought one years ago and wanted to rebuild it but it never happened. Sadly I think it was scrapped.

[@scooterdon8365]

BMW z3 and z4 coupes (M and 3.0i) Throwbacks with airbags and fuel injection. Similar racy/tricky/raspy/gurgling and just slightly unruly

[@nickwilczynski3684]

I don't know that it's 'uncommon.' Even in the Midwest it's pretty common to see MGB's and TR6's tooling around during the summer

[@h.s.thompsonduke8105]

Had the 68 GT6. Fantastic car. Weak gearbox. It used a tractor engine from Leyland. Very reliable. Have to change carrier bushings and suspension widgets every few years. The rubber bushings dry out. Corrosion kills old British iron. British engines sound like a sewing machine at idle. Sweet.

[@UmmYeahOk]

I have been an owner of a 67 for almost a decade now, and I know he's trying to be silly, but the car really lives up to its name. It's a Triumph to get it started. It's a Triumph to keep it running. It's a Triumph to get it to pass inspection. It's a Triumph to reach your destination. Every little thing you do with this car is potentially a Triumph. You don't get that with modern vehicles. There is no achievement. No victory.

[@joecebu2791]

My spitfire started the second I turned the ignition.

[@UmmYeahOk]

Joe Cebu My husband just spent $6000 to a specialist so that it could do just that. After sitting for a few week, it wouldn’t start. I had to take the air cleaner box off and spray starter fluid into the carbs. Started right up then. Maybe as a daily driver it will start right up, but who daily drives a 60s Triumph?

[@joecebu2791]

@@UmmYeahOk when i was 18, my 73 spitfire was my daily driver.

[@UmmYeahOk]

Joe Cebu so... ...when it was new? 😁

[@joecebu2791]

@@UmmYeahOk no. I got it when it was 8 yrs old and had around 68k on it.

[@peterhayden7136]

I fitted a 2.5 Pi engine into my mk3 sat on 200kph all day

[@zappatx]

I had a Spitfire and the closest American car that's all out fun like this is a 64 Corvair 4-speed or 66 w/ the 4-speed. Try one and see for yourself!!

[@alexsmall6850]

I had a Spitfire 1500 for 5 years as my everyday car, such amazing fun. Oddly now I have a very secondhand MX NB which is my favourite car alongside the Spitfire.

[@tommyd.743]

I also drove a 1500 as my daily driver for 5 years...in Cleveland, Ohio winters. Ended up selling it and buying a Fiat X1/9. I was a true glutton for punishment in my youth.

[@alexsmall6850]

@@tommyd.743 , Living in Cornwall in the southwest of the UK and having the westerly car auction just up the road my list of "Classic's" with 3 wheels in the scrapyard is less than illustrious... They include BMW E28 528i, 2 Triumph Dolomites, 4 Ford Capri's (MK3), MG Metro Turbo, MG Metro, W123 Estate, MK3 Golf Convertible, proper Mini. Until recently the Spitfire was my favourite an honour now shared with the MX5. As for the X19, great car...But you are brave. .

[@tommyd.743]

@@alexsmall6850 sounds pretty nice from where I sit. Unfortunately age got a hold of me so I'm forced to satisfy my needs with a Lincoln sedan and a Nissan 350Z ( for the occasional spirt of youthful indiscretion). The X1/9 was however the most fun (when running properly) not fast but great in the twisties.

[@alexsmall6850]

@@tommyd.743 , 350Z great car. I'm always horrified how expensive cars are in the US. I've bought a few road legal cars for less than $95. The MX5 was an MOT failure that including buying the car, parts etc only cost $440 to get back on the road.

[@tommyd.743]

@@alexsmall6850 wow, those prices are unheard of here. Since retirement I was thinking about getting rid of the Z and picking up something a bit newer, but every time I see the price tag of anything comparable, I realize my Z is just fine.

[@PhilRounds]

Mikuni carbs, new (GM?) alternator, trick aftermarket exhaust, wide alloy wheels, oversize tyres, aftermarket shocks, MK1 bumper...it's not genuine. Is someone in the process of installing AC? I see an open low pressure coolant hose. The Miata was modeled after the Lotus Elan. ...and do you have any car people? This would have been better with some real motor heads.

[@iatsd]

What I like most about Jalopnik is that the writers clearly don't know anything about cars, and they actually manage to have negative levels of knowledge about cars from outside the US.

[@franciscotoro9454]

Yes. No research needed when they can BS their way through it.

[@janstaes2172]

they used to say the poor mans jag E type.

[@sidewyndersshed1676]

I had a GT6 mk3 when I was in rhe service, Fun little car!

[@billmiller4513]

I had a Red 1972 GT6 Mark 3. For American roading, it really needed overdrive and A/C! Beautiful car, light, fast, agile!

[@MarkWladika]

These are great cars and don't believe the hype about reliability, sure they were rough but so were most of the cars of the era. They are a blast to drive on little windy roads, they over-steer but in a very controllable, stable way.

[@ducati135]

Had a gt6 and a gt6+ back in the early 80s. Paid $300 for a good running gt6+ with a rough body. Ran great with no issues until someone crashed into it - still ran, just a crunched up hood. The gt6 was a nice little car with a solid body, until a rocker spring broke. Can’t remember what I paid originally, but it wasn’t much. Fun little cars for sure.

[@johncahill3018]

What do you mean "not that reliable??" Those drivetrains are bulletproof if you do the basic maintenance. The problem is that people didn't read the manual...didn't bother to grease the water pump once in a while, adjust the rear brakes or worst of all, used American style fuses instead of the different-rated British fuses. That last thing lead to a lot of unnecessary fires (blamed on Lucas instead of Ace Hardware). The carbs are very reliable as well...but often misunderstood and poorly set up, also a little oil in the dampers once in a while is a good thing. (having watched the video now, with people who have trouble just closing a hood/bonnet, one sympathizes with this poor car and it's undeserved reputation). These are great cars, so are all the TR's (I'm on my 4th...sold my first one at 135,000 miles still going strong, still on the original clutch!). Watching these twits was painful..."there was a time when British cars were popular", "Jag-wire" and so on. Meanwhile, couldn't they find a road with turns to drive on?

[@mescko]

​@Venturi Atlantique Complete bollocks. When I bought my green '69 +, it had 219k on it--no, that's not a misprint. I had to pull the lump at 235k when a main bearing started knocking. I bought it from the second owner who daily drove it for work for over 10 years. I would go for a GT6 over a TR6 *any* day. I have had several Triumphs, and currently have a Rover P6, and have never had electrical issues that any 40-year-old car would have. If you want any more info, I'd be happy to chat with you.

[@Matt_from_Florida]

@Venturi Atlantique You'll get about 1/3rd less mileage out of a TR6 before a rebuild due to it having a longer stroke. The higher piston speeds put more stress on the main bearings and more wear on the piston rings.

[@Matt_from_Florida]

@Venturi Atlantique No. They are both about the same. But you will get more miles out of a GT6 engine than a TR6 engine for the reason I stated. For comparison only, if you'll go 150,000 miles before a GT6 rebuild then you'll only go 100,000 miles before a TR6 rebuild. Also on either of the cars that have done that much mileage it's not just the motor that needs to be rebuilt. A lot of people forget about the distributor. It's turning all that time too. Get the distributor rebuilt or simply buy a NEW one & get an electronic ignition like Pertronix or Lumenition optronic ignition.

[@Matt_from_Florida]

@Venturi Atlantique One other thing worth noting is that except for the stroke the two engines are virtually identical. A shorter stroke engine will be a smoother running engine... less vibration and less roughness, if that kind of thing is important to you. A longer stroke engine makes more torque though, so there's always a flip side. That said, one car is a convertible while the other is a hardtop. For that reason I'd think your preference would come down to that.

[@Matt_from_Florida]

@Venturi Atlantique I was just giving you easy numbers to compare the relative longevity of the two cars. The Triumph inline 6 is a pretty bullet-proof engine. It's not stressed unless you are traveling at 80mph on the Interstate all the time. If I understand your concern though I have to say this to you. Having an old car as a daily driver is not a choice I would ever make unless I liked spending time in my garage. I always have a backup car so I'm never in a panic when something breaks. That keeps it a hobby instead of a job.

[@lucaskane5364]

It's like an e-type but cheaper! I love it!

[@petyrkowalski9887]

Gorgeous car and as a Brit, its hilarious to see and hear Americans attempting a British accent😂😂

[@MartinBaldock]

Good Grief! The GT6 Mk 3 was a brilliant car for it's time. What is the matter with you?

[@grahamlawton6250]

A GT6+ is what they called them in NA. In the UK, it was the MKII. I had a MKI and had the suspension changed to a MKII, or a +. Always hated the + part! I LOVED MY CAR.

[@04dram04]

Fact that most people dont know, the Nissan 240z was copied from the Triumph GT

[@rodanderson1922]

The Mazda Miata (MX5) was based around the Lotus Elan. I owned a 1992 Miata for a year or so, and it was a fantastic little car. The biggest problem with the triumph sports cars, and indeed most of them of the era when the Spitfire and GT6, and the TR series, was the rear independent suspension system, which made for "Interesting" handling.

[@markchip1]

A truly great little car - but I'd hate to be in an accident in one! That applies equally to ANY 50s, 60s, 70s car!

[@tracylemme1375]

Having owned several British cars, I can say to really enjoy a British car is to be a glutton for punishment. They were actually quite slow, they were cramped, they handled OK but were they ever FUN!

[@bocat7482]

This car was a pain in the ass if you're tall to get out of. My TR 6, I still miss.

[@benschwader4537]

I bought my damsen colored Mk III when I graduated from high school, because I couldn't afford an E-Type. I had a great summer with the car then rolled it that fall when I was in college. It was a fun car but as I remembered the independent rear suspension was tricky. Great video, cheers.

[@jmacedonyt07]

Love the GT6! Poor Man's Jaguar.

[@JG-mp5nb]

The car I learned to adjust the valves on, both hot and cold.

[@tolrem]

My mum bought a brand new Mk3 in 1973.It was green too.They were rare here in NZ even then,People used to ask her if she wanted to sell it.I owned it for a while.It had twin strombergs.I wish I still had it.Bit nose heavy but nice smooth engine and solid gearbox.I prefer the previous models for looks and the wood grain dashboard.I never heard that nice exhaust note on ours.I think that they modified the rear suspension on the last model to prevent catastrophic oversteer like in the earlier Spitfires.That was scary!

[@davidviner4932]

Needs a new steering rack

[@gregghorner9107]

yep, should be no play in that rack and pinion.

[@neuxstone]

It's the rubber bushings that hold the rack into place...!

[@mescko]

@@neuxstone You can get poly bushings for them now, or ally ones if you're hardcore (like me).

[@04dram04]

I used to own own. They are one of my favorite cars ever made

[@04dram04]

I use to own one of these. Parts are so hard to find. They dont make oil filters that fit anymore

[@UmmYeahOk]

Yes they do. I always make sure I have at least one in stock just in case. If not, then I add it to my victoriabritish.com cart when purchasing other parts. It even comes with a new rubber gasket. There’s also a mod you can do that will allow the engine to accept the more modern screw on filters.

[@pmjbacon]

Had one and a brilliant car it was and reliable; all old cars you needed to keep an eye on. Bought it for peanut cause the gearbox had lost its oil and a local garage had what I needed to rebuild it with no special tools. That SILKEN SIX motor is a gem; on an economy run, I could pull away in second and straight into overdrive... 50 mpg. I was a humble student then and my pocket book can vouch for that. I had a Mk11 and the rear end had been cheapened up; the IRS in the Mk1 was quite something...

[@jacksutherland846]

Nice little coupe. Mainly because it's a coupe. Just needs some tlc. A spitfire with 6 is pretty sweet as well! You can tune some good power out of those little engines.

[@StephenMorganCanada]

I just came back from the UK and in a little Town called Ditchingham I can across a garage with both but vintage Triumphs in for maintenance or for sale. Wonderful place with several of these. Heaven.

[@crisrose9707]

would that be anglian triumph services?

[@StephenMorganCanada]

cris rose Maybe. The large sign was Bungay Tore Services but there was also an ATS car sales sign. Just looked up the one you referenced and it too is on Loddon Road, so I’m guessing one and the same.

[@crisrose9707]

interesting. I dont live too far away and might actually be passing close pretty soon so I might go and check it out! its unfortunate that I cant get google maps to go down the street to get a proper look but I know roughly where it is now. thanks!

[@StephenMorganCanada]

cris rose *tyre. I have pics of the place. Shame you can’t add to comments

[@crisrose9707]

you can share a google drive link if you want.

[@Navybyrde]

I REALLY regret selling my GT6+ thirty years ago. 😢

[@marknelson5929]

Interesting vid, a bit cooky, but the lady knows her stuff pretty much! As to reliability, these cars are bullet proof! I owned several GT6s in the 1990s and they never let me down. I'd imagine with the 'set and forget' type of cars Americans expected in the 60s/70s where you didn't lift the bonnet for months didn't help and a dealer network which sometimes didn't understand the cars. Nevertheless MGs, Triumphs and the more expensive Jags were very popular in the US. The Triumph in the vis is a Mk.1 with the wayward rear end suspension setup which can make handling a little interesting if you lift off on the throttle particularly in a bend! The later Mk.2 and Mk.3 cured this pretty much - though personally the styling of the Mk.1 is the purest and best. The steering in the car in the vid is definitely in need of some maintenance, it should not be like that on a stock standard car. She looks very pretty... the car that is.

[@larryenglish8900]

i had that same car, same color, in alabama, in 1975! wrecked it though, not sure where it went after that

[@caioronnau5226]

@2:57 every time I hear an american say Jaguar I die a little inside.

[@stevej.1428]

So the plan is working.

[@memybikeni9931]

Americans are good at that, it’s like when Trump tries to say ‘anything’ in English, the whole world dies laughing.