not sure where to put this thread, and I apologize in advance for this going into a Z forum, but it seems that I have enjoyed getting to know so many people here, and what I have learned is that there are some VERY knowledgeable people here on topics that span more than Z cars.

A good buddy of mine is thinking of getting a 73 TR6 as a project, and I wanted to know if anybody here has any advice on this particular car.

Again, sorry to pollute the Z forums

My only experience with british cars has been with MGs and the electrical systems sucked! Lucas who designed the system must have hired a bunch of monkeys because the cars always had some kind of issue. Good luck.

carl

What exactly does he want to know? The TR-6 is one of the most desirable of all Triumphs and in "Show" condition sell for >$16k. It has a strong 6-cylinder and if he's lucky will come with the electric overdrive manual transmission. They have rust issues like every Brit sports car, but all parts are readily available through Moss Motors and British Victoria, among many.

Good site to glean info: http://www.6-pack.org/sixpack/

I had a TR4 and have looked at TR6s. Fairly robust drivetrain, wet liner pushrod I-6, 100 HP, rust issues just like Zs. '73 and earlier have thin bumpers (better looking IMO). Desireable options are factory wire wheels and elec overdrive trans. Many parts available from Victoria British and Moss motors, etc..

God created light. It took Lucas to make it dark again.

Unfortunately, most LBC's (little british cars, e.g. MG's, Truimphs, Healey. etc.) get a bad rap because of the DPO's who messed things up from their original state. Once put back to original condition, the electrical system, like all other areas of the car, is fine. Now if you want to start splicing wires, putting in modern stereo systems, etc., then you might have some problems.

My MGB does not give me problems, and has been trouble free (other than maintenance) for over 10 years. This is of course after I got it sorted out and back to it's normal state!

The Lucas derision is a bit overdone. We've had MG-TD, MGA, MGB, and XKE, and the main problem with Brit car electrical systems is twofold: A) Point ignitions and Electric Fuel Pumps. The last time I checked those are pretty common problems on most cars of that vintage, except US cars still had mechanical pumps up until fuel injection started taking hold in the 80's. Both of those problems, along with an alternator upgrade, will make a British car as reliable as any of the era. These "upgrades" sounding kinda familiar???

I never did like the way the clutch worked. It took a lot of effort to disengage the clutch and in one instance it wore the thrust bearings on the crank to the point that they fell to bottom of the oil pan. Why do the British drink warm beer? They use Lucas refridgerators.

http://www.britishcarforum.com/bcforum/ubbthreads.php/forum_summary

Send him to the link above.

It's called simply British car forum.

I've had a couple of LBCs, (little British Cars) and have found them to be robust, reliable and infinitly rebuildable. The technology is very simple and quite straightforward. Some say crude.

Parts are VERY WELL supported and the TR6s are among the best of the breed.

Watch for rust issues, like all 40+ year old cars. Doglegs, sills, battery boxes, frame rails etc.

They use similar carb technology to the early Z's, the 73 May still have the SU's, or it may have Zenith Strombergs, both are constant depression carbs like your Z's. AMOF, the Z carbs are a licensed reproduction of the old SU's.

Think antiquated Z with no top.

As far as the Lucas electricals, Watch the "bullet" connectors, they can corrode and cause intermitent issues. When he starts replacing these connectors, and he will have to replace some, solder instead of crimp. The GROUNDS are crucial, they will do funny things if certain grounds go bad, because the Lucas systems usually only run 3 or 4 circuits. But it's usually simple fixes.

LBC's are fun. There is a bit of displaced animosity in British circles toward the Z car, as the introduction of the Z kind of marked the beginning of the end for Triumph and MG, not to mention British leyland itself. The TR7 was Triumph's answer to the Z car, 5 years too late.

I was only joking (slightly) about the Lucas wiring. I am sure they get a lot of grief that is undeserved. The one midget we had only had 3 out of 4 gears and the brakes only worked sometimes so its not all the wiring's fault. My brother is thinking about getting an MGB or C GT so it hasn't put us off them. There are some funny Top Gear episodes where they take some old british cars and put them through the paces with hilarious results.

carl

A good buddy of mine is thinking of getting a 73 TR6 as a project, and I wanted to know if anybody here has any advice on this particular car.

You know Bjorn?

The TR7 was Triumph's answer to the Z car, 5 years too late.

Ah yes, the infamous "Flying Doorstop" . I know where there are about 15 of those parked looking for good homes.

However, the worst Triumph has got to be the Stag. Stay well clear of that one, as B-L had really lost the recipe for mechanicals by then, plus the totally enclosed chrome door window frame made it look like you were driving around in an aquarium.