General info on TR6

[PaulN]

Hi

 

Just joined the forum

 

Ive owned a few Triumph models Im 53 now but when I ws 18 I owned Triumph Vitesse 2litre got written off unfortunately by a milk float ! at  19 bought a Stag which was stolen just after I paid for the engine rebuild.... I then purchased a Triumph 2000 which was good but a bit heavy for the misses 8months pregnant and no power steering .....followed by another Stag .. which was Stolen 1 month after restoration.

 

For my wife's 1st car I bought her 1964 Triumph Vitesse 1600 great original car 1 owner been in his garage for years.. unfortunately this was also stolen and found burnt out in the grounds of my wife's Hospital where she worked

 

I Then bought another Stag..that was 22y ears ago and still have the same 1..Alarm and tracker fitted a nice car

 

However when i was 20 and just had my 1st Stag stolen I almost bought a sky blue TR6..I didnt and Ive always regretted it but Im now looking to put that right.

 

Its time the Stag went the kids are grown up so no need for more than 2 seats ........

 

My questions are

 

Can I buy a reasonable TR6  with £12 -£14k ?

Should I go for early or late models ............I have some knowledge and know they changed the HP at some point

Should I steer clear of the fuel injected model although I must say it appeals to me

Does the club offer for a fee an inspection service and or advice on any cars I look at

 

Any info will be gratefully received

 

[Clive]

your budget should get one OK, but don't hang about, prices are still on the up. And when the sun comes out....

 

All UK TR6's were PI, carbed ones are either imports or been de-PI'ed, which will affect value (by a fair old chunk) so you may get a better car for less money, but it will always be worth less (and frowned upon by some people)

 

If teh PI is working well, it is great. If not, there are some people who are VERY good at setting it up. Many are not, so get advice from TR people.

 

I don't think the club does inspections, but again there are specialists who can help you. Depends where you and/or the potential purchase are.

[PaulN]

Thanks Clive

 

That all makes sense

 

I will def go for the injection model if possible .. Ill do a bit more digging on prices with the injection set up and possible cost of repairs on the injection system as a whole.

 

I have a guy who is good at bodywork its just that the TR6 is so alien to me from a mechanical point of view

 

Im in Kent any recommendations of garages etc that work on the TR6 would be great ..I use favisham Classics for the Stag but would prefer a specialist in the TR model

[Clive]

I don't think there is anything to be scared of. The engine is dead simple. The gearbox/diff and rear suspension almost identical to the stag. 

The PI is the tricky bit, but afraid I don't know of anybody down here (but then again I don't know much!)

the TRR have active groups in the south east and may be a better source of info?

[PaulN]

Thanks Clive

 

I think like the Stag it has a chequered history same with the injection system on the TR I suppose

 

Il drop the TRR a line see what comes 

 

Thanks for the advice 

[JohnD]

Lucas Pi is not what it's cracked up to be.

In fact it is robust and reliable, in fact, fit and forget, unlike carburettors that need constant fiddling.

 

As to why it got that reputation, it was the first use of fuel injection in a production car, but Triumph made no effort to train the mechanics in its dealers' workshops.

So mechanics, inveterate knob twiddlers, tried to adjust the Pi, messed up, and blamed Lucas.

Lucas, already on the Dark Side thanks to the Lucar connector, never had a chance to redeem its reputation as Bosch K-Jetronic, also wholly mechanical FI, was cheaper and sold to many manufactuers, including Lucas!    (In a later, electronic version, Bisch L-Jetronic AKA Lucas L-injection)

 

But don't forget - Lucas Pi was also fitted to production Maseratis  and Jaguars and used in motorsport by Ford, Lotus, Matra, Chevrolet, McLaren, on racing Minis ....    See: http://www.lucasinjection.com/HISTORY.htm

Not the mark of an unreliable, delicate system.

 

You can buy and use a Lucas Pi car with confidence.   Just get the metering unit set up by an expert, Prestige for instance.

John