1972 Triumph TR6: A Piece of Automotive History 

I had a '71 new. A lot of memories, but I can't recall the feeling of opening the trunk. it had the TR6 graphic in back, wires and Redlines.

As others have mentioned (1) if the engine is cold you need to give it some choke so it doesn't stall (it's the knob on the far right that you weren't sure about) and (2) the TR4/4A/250 were styled by Michelotti but he was too busy on other jobs (e.g. Triumph Stag + 2.5 PI/2500) when Triumph asked him to give it an update in the late 60s so they gave the job to Karmann in Germany who, as you and James May have pointed out, did an excellent job and gave it a more modern, squared-off, masculine look. The task was difficult because Karmann had to produce a new body style while retaining much of the original structure. The windscreen, inner panels, floors and doors carried over from the TR4/4A/250 but the Karmann restyle included a new nose, wings/fenders and 'Kamm' tail. Karmann did the redesign and retooling in 14 months. Produced between 1969 and 1976, the TR6 became the best-selling Triumph at the time with 91,850 units made. 83.480 were exported (the majority to America) with only 8,370 sold in the UK (of those approx. 5,300 are left in the UK). The early UK TR6s + TR5s had Lucas mechanical fuel injection instead of carbs which gave them 150 BHP compared to the emissions-strangled US-spec cars with twin Strombergs, which had 25% less power or 104 BHP. This meant that while the UK cars could do 0-60 in 8 seconds and nudge 120, the US-spec cars struggled to make 10 seconds and 110. Changing the cam, headers and fitting Webers will all increase the HP. Regarding legroom, I am 5'11 and I had a TR4A which is the same body size as the TR6 and if you slide the seat all the way back you should have plenty of legroom. Maybe the seat runners were stuck? Also, overdrive was offered as an option which effectively gave the car a fifth gear but not all US buyers opted for it because gas was cheap back then, but it definitely makes a difference for quieter highway cruising and better fuel economy. Finally, you live in a beautiful area/neighborhood with lots of space, trees and greenery. I'm envious (I live in small, overcrowded, wet UK). What part of California if you don't mind me asking?

The TR6 design was done by Karman too. Michelotti, who was the designer for the TR4, was unavailable.

Must have had a seat adjustment issue I fit in mine no issues and I'm 6ft 3 & you did a driving test with the top up? kinda missed the point of the car.

Cold start requires you pull the manual choke. Far right knob I'm 6-1 with 34" inseam and have more than enough legroom. Double check your seat rails

My favourite Triumph! When I was a kid I always said that I'd get one. Hasn't come true, yet! That one is in beautiful condition. Must be from the South. All BL's up here just dissolved. They've become a very rare beast!

They cruised nicely on the freeway also, especially when they were fitted with Overdrive. Unfortunately not many Americans opted for this extra, as fuel was only a few cents a gallon back then.

Man I love the color of the car

TR7 was a 4 cylinder. Always have the roof down! Use the choke, you’ll mess up the SUs

Actually the TR6 was not designed be Michelotti but rather it was restyled and given its butch masculine appearance by Karmann.

Doug, I'm the proud recipient of a very rusty TR6 that is in dire need of restoration and I must admit that this video is an inspiration. By the way, I stand at 5 foot 7, so it may even be the right fight. I cringe at the thought of dealing with Lucas electrics.

Trafficator seems to clear traffic nicely

I just purchased this car today. Thanks Doug for showing the highlights of this beautiful car. Heading to it's new home in Charlotte, NC.

The center knobs are heater fan, heat, floor heat or defrost and engine choke

"this would really be loud" LOL!

If it ain't shakin then you ain't main speed in a TR6 :).

the far rigt knob is the cold start, choque

is this car for sale?

Do you plan on doing any improvements to the Rover?

Is this your car? Did you rent it for the day!

I had one almost just like it a72 it was a fun beautiful car i stupidly sold it to go 4 wheeling with my friend in 79 i got a 72 Toyota LC then the Carter gas crunch happened and gas doubled over night and the LC only got 10 mpg so i had to go but how i wished i had kept the TR6

body designed by Karman and built by Triumph

Michelotti didn't design the 6!!!!

Hi Doug nice video. I have a 1973 one with fuel injection and I love it (great engine note, but more power than the one you drove) I think it started pretty well, considering you didn't pull out the choke! One point, the Triumph TR6 was designed by Karmann, not Michelotti -Michelotti was too busy at the time. The curvier Triumph models were by Michelotti like the TR4 and Spitfire. I think the TR6 styling is great, more down to earth-German efficiency! Over here Steve Denton has a chennel featuring the old Triumphs-this is us working on and then driving my TR6. Keep safe! Phil ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-txMRZQtt8XM.html

A 1972 TR6 should have stencil "TR6" badges and NOT the Union Jack decals

I saw the last of them going to you over there on a car transporter love from oxford England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

theres a manual choke!!!!!

Just throw caution to the wind and put your foot down mate and enjoy the ride that’s how the car was designed back in the day

very nice looking but it's a money pits

Do you complain about everything ?????? Be happy my God

slide the seat back man, critic of cars and........

This guy doesn't know this car at all. Why is he reviewing it? He doesn't even know what the choke and heater controls are...

Thou shall not blow lines before making a RU-vid video.