1974 Triumph GT6 MkIII Coupe

Description

Triumph’s pretty GT6 was originally conceived as a fastback coupe version of the popular four-cylinder Spitfire roadster, again styled by the brilliant Italian designer Michelotti. To counter the weight gained by adding a roof, Triumph’s engineers modified the GT6’s engine bay to accommodate the more powerful 2-litre six-cylinder unit from the 2000 saloon. Launched at the 1966 Earls Court Motor Show, the GT6 was well received, with road testers singling out the sparkling performance, nicely appointed interior and practical rear hatchback for special praise. The GT6’s cabin boasted a walnut dashboard with full instrumentation, carpeting throughout and comfortable seats, plus a decent heater. Early GT6s came in for some criticism for their nervous handling, with drivers reporting that the car had a tendency to break away at the rear unexpectedly. However this was corrected on Mk II models in 1968 when the Herald-derived transverse rear spring suspension was replaced with a swing-axle unit with Rotoflex couplings, resulting in more predictable cornering. The 1998cc six, fed by twin Zenith-Stromberg carburetors, developed 95 horsepower and drove the rear wheels via a four-speed gearbox (with overdrive optional). To keep pace with the market, Triumph modified the engine for the Mk II with a new cylinder head, manifolds and camshafts, which boosted horsepower to 104. Top speed was now about 188 km/h, with 0-100 km/h taking about 10 seconds, making it faster than its nearest rival, the MGB GT. Introduced in November 1970, the GT6 MK III was the final upgrade for the GT6 series. Triumph revised the body to bring it into line with the design of the Spitfire, flattening the bonnet and chopping the tail, while the rear roofline was also altered. Then, just as the GT6 was about to be discontinued in February 1973, the suspension was again revised, moving back to a simple swing-spring set-up, which it shared with the HYPERLINK "http://www.motorbase.com/vehicle/by-id/390/"new Spitfire model. Other late changes included cloth seats, replacing the previous vinyl, a new optional overdrive and servo-powered brakes. A total of 13,042 Mk III models were built over the period 1970-1973. Today, the GT6 owner is well catered for by a network of clubs and specialists around the world, with good spares availability.