1976 Triumph TR6

Finished in triple black, this ex-Canada Triumph TR6 has covered just 2,372 miles following a $60,000CAD restoration in 2015-16.

And, if that’s not enough to get your juices flowing, it’s been recently refreshed and serviced in the UK by a classic car specialist in Sheffield. As a result, it holds an advisory-free MoT and is still in the hands of its only UK owner.

As a left-hand drive example, ‘EHJ 805P’ would be a great candidate for European touring – or even a right-hand drive conversion if you’re looking for something to keep you out of trouble this coming winter.

And, to round things off perfectly, it’s being offered with no reserve so will sell from the very first bid!

There’s a big invoice on file for massaging the panel fit in Canada and it was worth every penny because the whole car hangs together very well. Consistent shutlines and excellent panel alignment form the first stage of this very convincing restoration.

The next stage is the condition of those panels. Free of dents, dinks, and other damage, even the flanks are free of ripples. Their condition is excellent, so we can’t find anything to fault here, either.

Which is just as well because they form the canvas for the black paintwork, a colour so ruthless in highlighting flaws your divorce was a walk in the park in comparison.

But that’s okay, because when the panels are this good there’s simply no better colour for your brutish British bruiser.

The smattering of red in the coachlines and tyre sidewalls adds a note of interest, while lots of deep and lustrous chrome ensures the look is elegant and understated.

It’s beguiling in both specification and execution, and we salute those who chose it and those who made it reality.

As for the tyres, they’re matching 185R15 Coker Classics, all of which have good tread left on them. They are fitted to deep-dish 5.5J15 steel wheels that, along with those high tyre sidewalls, give the TR6 a perfect stance.

We will never get tired of telling you that experience shows that matching high-quality tyres are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly. Their presence does not, of course, preclude the need for a thorough inspection - something the vendor would welcome, by the way – but it does perhaps give you a shortcut into their attitude towards maintenance.

As for the black hood (you’re ahead of us here, aren’t you?) it fits well, opens and closes as it should, and is free of rips, tears, and other damage. Even the windows are bright and clear and a neat tonneau cover hides it all away when it is furled.

There are wear marks and light scratches on the top of the doors, the upper edge of the rear wings, and on the boot. There are also some chips and scratches on the bonnet.

Also, the tyres are eleven years old so will need replacing due to their age.

Following on from the roof and the coachwork, the third element of the TR6’s ‘triple black’ status is the interior – and it probably won’t come as too much of a surprise to learn that it, too, is in a very good condition.

Despite the hue, it neatly sidesteps any gloominess by way of a vibrant fat-rimmed wooden steering wheel and dashboard, both of which lighten it as well as giving it an authentic British sportscar feel.

As you can see from the invoices on file, an awful lot of time and money was spent in here too. The seats, for example, are as comfortable and supportive to sit in as they are pleasing on the eye. Still looking nearly new, we can’t find anything on their surface or structure to worry about.

The rest is very good too, with very good carpets, door cards, and dashboard. 

Heck, the glovebox lid still boasts the sticker showing the tyre size and pressure, and vehicle seating and weight capacity. 

As for extras, a modern headunit is fitted, and a pair of Triumph rubber mats protect the carpets.

Flaws are few. The steering wheel rim is a little worn, so you could add that to your (short) list of jobs to do. You could refurbish the gearknob to match while you’ve got the sandpaper and varnish out, and perhaps consider polishing the speedometer and rev counter glass as they’ve gone a little cloudy.

The driver's seat lumber section is currently un-adjustable.

The boot floor looks solid but scruffy, so you might like to tidy that up, too.

But they’re jobs for the coming winter, and none need deter you from hooning around this summer with the roof down and the engine singing at the redline.

Speaking of the engine, the recent recommissioning included a new starter motor and fuel tank sender. The carburettors were also rebuilt as part of the work and the Triumph was treated to a full service and had its washer system replaced.

As you can see in our video, it starts well from cold and shows good oil pressure. The ignition warning light does stay on and that might be related to the delay before the voltmeter shows a voltage.

As with the interior, it’s also worth spending some time leafing through the old invoices on file to appreciate just how thorough the Canadian restoration was. 

The engine bay is neatly presented, and we imagine most would be happy to use it – and even show it locally – as it is. As always, there is scope for improvement, but this would fall very firmly in the nice-to-do category rather than being anything more pressing.

There’s some neat underbonnet heat insulation, plus a sticker reminding the new owner that Evans waterless coolant has been used, which is a nice touch.

The history file also includes numerous invoices from Canada confirming the restoration in 2015-16. We haven’t totted them up ourselves, but handwritten notes suggest the final bill was in excess of $60,000CAD and covered every area of the car.

The TR6’s MoT certificate is valid until February 2025, and the recent Vehicle History Check is clear bar the marker for being an imported car.

There is also a British Motor Industry Heritage Trust certificate on file.

We usually avoid clichés like the plague but if you’re looking for a hairy-chested British sportscar then this TR6 is right up your street. 

Brought back to life with a two-year restoration in Canada and refreshed here since, it’s fighting fit and ready to do battle in the country of its birth. 

With just a few jobs to enable it to fulfil its potential, we think this one will sell for somewhere between £15,000 and £20,000 but the seller has sufficient faith in his car to offer it with no reserve, so it’s going to sell from the very first.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at the Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are strictly by appointment. To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.