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1971 Triumph GT6 Mk3 Rotoflex – Restoration Project - $3,250 (Narberth, PA)
1971
Triumph GT6
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The car and its history
I traded a 1994 F150 for the GT6 in December 2022. I drove the truck from Philadelphia to Rhode Island, hired a U-Haul and trailer, and brought the GT6 home.
The previous owner was a collector with a garage full of 1960s and 1970s Triumphs. He had bought the GT6 at a Connecticut estate sale in November 2021, but quickly discovered that the fixed roof made getting in and out a little more challenging than his convertibles! I have his original bill of sale.
From what he told me, the car had previously been stored in a barn and was the subject of a restoration that was never completed. Having spent time going through it myself, I suspect at least two people have started work on the car over the years, as there are noticeably different levels of workmanship.
The car was last tagged in New York in May 2009, although I don't believe it was actually being driven at that point, as the registration sticker was never attached to the car. I have the sticker.
Body and condition
The body is the main reason I bought this car.
At some point, someone did some excellent panelwork. The rear wings appear to be NOS, with no obvious signs of filler or previous repairs. The panel gaps and fit are excellent, and the body is in very good overall condition for a restoration project.
The only obvious rot I've found is around the battery tray, which should be a relatively straightforward repair. I haven't found any obvious rot in the chassis, although removing the body will be necessary to confirm its full condition.
The car has had a poor-quality paint job in a dark damson colour, with runs on the wings. On the plus side, the paint has been protecting the metalwork.
The wheels appear to have been fully refurbished, and the tyres look unused, although they date from around 2006 and should not be considered roadworthy without proper assessment.
My gut feeling is that the car has been off the road for at least 25 years, probably longer, and has been dry-stored for much of that time.
Originality and documentation
The engine and transmission are not the original units. I also suspect the body may have come from another car, as the original factory colour was yellow, whereas brown paint is visible around the boot floor.
This suggests the car may have undergone an earlier restoration or body replacement at some point in its history.
I have the BMI Heritage Certificate, which records the VIN, engine number, export/import dates and original specifications.
The car was originally registered in New York in 1971, before titles were issued there, so it does not have a title. Historical documents, the previous two bills of sale, the Heritage Certificate and the 2009 registration sticker will be supplied to help establish the car's history and VIN. Buyers will need to check the titling and registration requirements with their own state's DMV before purchasing.
Work started and parts included
I began stripping the car down, and everything I've removed has been cleaned, bagged, boxed and labelled. There was also a box of additional parts included with the car.
Some parts are missing, mainly trim items. I can provide a list of known missing parts and a separate list of the new parts I've purchased, which are included in the sale.
The car is stripped to the point where the last two body mounting bolts need to be removed, the rear shocks unbolted and the handbrake disconnected. The body should then be ready to lift off, which was going to be my next step.
The engine turns freely by hand, but I have not attempted to start it.
The transmission was out of the car when I bought it, and it’s not an overdrive unit. The previous owner suspected it might have been the reason the car came off the road, and the transmission supplied with the car was apparently a replacement. I can't confirm that history, but the transmission moves through the gears without obvious resistance or unusual noises. It has not been tested in operation.
Restoration project
I'd originally budgeted around $16,000 for a rebuild, with the intention of building a good driver rather than a show car. That budget included CV joint replacements for the Rotoflex rear suspension and a professional engine rebuild.
A number of new parts I've purchased will be included in the sale.
This would make a great restoration project for someone who wants to bring a GT6 Mk3 back to life, or potentially a useful donor car for someone restoring a Mk3 with a badly deteriorated body.
The car is located on the western outskirts of Philadelphia and will need to be collected by trailer.
I'm open to sensible offers. I'd like to see the car restored rather than broken for parts, but if I don't get a reasonable offer I'll part it out.
Please get in touch with any questions, and I'll be happy to provide more details and photographs.