In 69 I bought a MGB and a friend bought a TR6 and from time to time we would swap cars. They were similar but also different. The MGB was more tossable and the TR6 had more low end grunt with their 2.5 l inline 6. Both needed the optional OD. As we entered the 70s BL really lost their way and met the 5 mph bumper with some drop dead ugly solutions and they really struggled with smog control. I think what really wiped them out was 240Z.
@cheddyrod Hey, Chester! That's great...gave you a good idea of both of the leading British sports cars! I agree about the bumper...they were really half hearted attempts to meet the collision standard. I also remember the sensation the 240Z was..and I agree, it certainly changed the whole playing field. Thanks! :) Jack
Nice car, a true classic British sports car, I did always prefer the GT6 though, and the TR7's & 8's (I think I'm the only one in the world who does), but all Triumph cars are very rare now, Jack !
I've never seen a US spec TR6 before, those bumper guards are absolutely hideous :|
@drewerz01 Hey, Mike! We definitely had TR7's and 8's here but they never seemed to take off...rarely see them now. We also had the Triumph Stag and the GT6. It was all very confusing for the American motorist, and I think this is why sales dwindled...and of course, Corvette was getting a major foothold. I can think of lots of synonyms for those bumper guards...atrocious comes to mind, along with hideous! Thanks! :) Jack
Looks like a nice example! I well-recall the changed bumper specs; so many imports gained these goofy-looking things; completely ruined the look of the MGB, I think...In 1969, Popular Mechanics ran a comparison road test of the (then-new) TR6, the Fiat 124 Spyder, the Datsun 2000 roadster, the MGB, and the rare MGC. I recall the testers liked the Fiat the best; but they all looked like fun cars!
@sortashaman Yeah..this one had great paint and interior..too bad I couldn't see the engine bay. Those horrible rubber bumper extensions I think were a very cheap way to meet the specs...I don't think the imports were willing to spend the money to really engineer a nice looking, compliant bumper. These were nice little cars..their presence before Mustang and Corvette helped keep alive the desire of American motorists for sportscars! Thanks! :) Jack
In 69 I bought a MGB and a friend bought a TR6 and from time to time we would swap cars. They were similar but also different. The MGB was more tossable and the TR6 had more low end grunt with their 2.5 l inline 6. Both needed the optional OD. As we entered the 70s BL really lost their way and met the 5 mph bumper with some drop dead ugly solutions and they really struggled with smog control. I think what really wiped them out was 240Z.
cheddyrod 1 year ago
@cheddyrod Hey, Chester! That's great...gave you a good idea of both of the leading British sports cars! I agree about the bumper...they were really half hearted attempts to meet the collision standard. I also remember the sensation the 240Z was..and I agree, it certainly changed the whole playing field. Thanks! :) Jack
raconter1 1 year ago
@cheddyrod
Lots of folks hate the over-riders ( aka Dolly Patrons) calling them a cheap British solution to the 5 mph rule.
Does anyone recall U.S. solution on the AMC Matador? Now that was hideous!
NBZist 2 months ago
@NBZist I remember the Matador, and those big black rubber bumper extensions were hideous! Thanks! :) Jack
raconter1 2 months ago
Nice car, a true classic British sports car, I did always prefer the GT6 though, and the TR7's & 8's (I think I'm the only one in the world who does), but all Triumph cars are very rare now, Jack !
I've never seen a US spec TR6 before, those bumper guards are absolutely hideous :|
drewerz01 1 year ago
@drewerz01 Hey, Mike! We definitely had TR7's and 8's here but they never seemed to take off...rarely see them now. We also had the Triumph Stag and the GT6. It was all very confusing for the American motorist, and I think this is why sales dwindled...and of course, Corvette was getting a major foothold. I can think of lots of synonyms for those bumper guards...atrocious comes to mind, along with hideous! Thanks! :) Jack
raconter1 1 year ago
Looks like a nice example! I well-recall the changed bumper specs; so many imports gained these goofy-looking things; completely ruined the look of the MGB, I think...In 1969, Popular Mechanics ran a comparison road test of the (then-new) TR6, the Fiat 124 Spyder, the Datsun 2000 roadster, the MGB, and the rare MGC. I recall the testers liked the Fiat the best; but they all looked like fun cars!
sortashaman 1 year ago
@sortashaman Yeah..this one had great paint and interior..too bad I couldn't see the engine bay. Those horrible rubber bumper extensions I think were a very cheap way to meet the specs...I don't think the imports were willing to spend the money to really engineer a nice looking, compliant bumper. These were nice little cars..their presence before Mustang and Corvette helped keep alive the desire of American motorists for sportscars! Thanks! :) Jack
raconter1 1 year ago
now that's rare!
MasterSnowstorm 1 year ago
@MasterSnowstorm Hey, Master S! I don't see many of these around, for sure! Thanks! :) Jack
raconter1 1 year ago