1969 Triumph GT6 news, pictures, and information

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Fastback Coupe

This 1969 GT 6+ won the National SCCA EP Championship at Daytona in November 1969. This was the factory-backed Group 44 car sponsored by Triumph, Quaker State, Champion, and Goodyear.

In 1970, this car set on the pole for the SCCA Runoff at Road Atlanta and was leading the race when it retired with transmission problems.

This GT6+ was found in a barn in North Carolina. The car has been restored to the exact livery as it appeared in the Daytona winners circle in 1969. The restoration was by the Classic Motorsport magazine staff.

This car will return to Road Atlanta, for the first time in nearly 40 years, for the Classic Motorsports Mitty Race on May 1-2, 2009

The Triumph GT6 was produced from 1966 through 1973. The GT6 followed on the heals of the Spitfire sports car. The body was a fastback with the rear hatch being able to open. The vehicle came from company as a two-seater but if requested additional seating could be place into the rear but it could only accommodate a small child. Under the long, building hood was a straight six-cylinder that produced just under 100 horsepower. A four-speed manual was standard; overdrive was offered as optional equipment. Top speed was around 106 mph with zero-to-sixty taking about 11.7 seconds. Fuel economy was respectable. The vehicles largest downfall was its poor handling in corners. Drivers reported the car had a tendency to break away, much like other models in the Triumph line-up. The extra weight of the vehicle made the Triumph GT6 even worse and magazines and press criticized the car rather heavily.

The interior was rather elegant with a wood dash and complete instrumentation. Heaters and carpets were a luxury at the time and Triumph offered it as standard equipment.

In 1968 Triumph introduced the GT6 MK2, also known as the GT6+. The spring suspension was replaced with a swing-axle unit with rotoflex couplings resulting in a revised reputation for Triumph. Triumph had finally found a reasonable solution to their Achilles-heal.

As government regulations and safety concerns continued to mount, Triumph conformed to these requirements by raising the bumper. The front end required a little modification due to the bumper changes. Side vents were added to the front wings and rear pillars.

Triumph modified the engine with a new cylinder head, manifolds and camshafts which boosted horsepower to 104. Top speed was now about 117 mph with zero-to-sixty taking about 10 seconds. This was faster than its competitor, the MGB GT which had a 105 mph top speed and 13 second zero-to-sixty run. On the interior a two-speed heater fan was now standard. The dash also received modifications.

The Triumph GT6 MK3 was the final upgrade for the GT6 series; it was introduced in 1970 and lasted until 1973. Triumph revised the body which brought it inline with the design of the Spitfire. Just before the vehicle was discontinued, the suspension was again revised this time with a swing-spring setup. 1973 brought about other changes such as cloth seats, replacing the previous vinyl. Servo brakes were also added.

The Triumph GT6 was a great sports car but it never achieved the sales success the company had hoped. The handling was a problem during its early life but these were quickly rectified. Some have speculated that a convertible option would have helped boost sales.

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