Picking Up A 72 TR6 after 45 years in a barn 

I hit the like button months ago, but watched this one again today. She looks like mine, but way more rust. I cannot believe that it has only 37,000 miles, after seeing the amount of grease on the engine block and the rocker panels, wow, both inside and outside are gone. My car lived in New Jersey and had way less rust with over 100,000 miles. Yes, they love salt to put on the roads and I drove my TR in the winter. I am rebuilding her now, there was much hidden rust that I did not see until removing the body. My TR6 has lived in my garage since I had an altercation with a high curb on an exit ramp, resulting in a bent frame at the front left control arm. I have been getting ready for the rebuild of my car for 35 years and have built up a big supply of parts over the years. These vehicles are very hard to find these days, but about 10 years ago I found about 10, in local junkyards, some in decent condition. I travelled extensively back then and lost my chance at many items, but just last October a 1976 TR6 arrived at a local yard, it was a parts gem. They will not sell an entire vehicle, but their parts prices are pretty low and I loaded up my pickup with over $1000 worth of goodies. Hardtop, soft top, front fenders, Triplex windshield, hood, doors, dash, front and rear valance, trunk carpets, and all other trunk parts. I had a fishing trip planned and could not get back for 2 weeks, I lost the J type overdrive transmission, it sold a day before I got back home, but I still grabbed many more parts. I told the manager I wanted the bare bones of the car, before they crushed it, the frame and all suspension were intact, as well as the non-seized motor, but as they remove vehicles by rows, and I knew the day was coming, I missed it, it was crushed. I had a doctor appointment and could not go there, and the manager was out of town. The car had very little rust, must have been someone's baby, but the owner probably passed away. Fuel was old and bad, battery dead, tires flat, kids probably said "junk it" they would had received no more than $500 for it. By the way, her hood was rusted open and she was towed to the junkyard with it open. I hope I finish my project before you do, but cannot wait for you to start.

Watching this TR6 "rescue" is so reminescent of my "rescued" '71 TR6 of about 10 years ago, particularly since mine is also BROWN. Mine was found up in Seattle where it sat in the back of a garage under a pile of "garage crap" after blowing a head gasquet back in 1984. The young owner did not have the money or mechanical skills to fix it so there it sat for 28 years! So, as life goes, he got divorced and was moving to live with his brother and did not have room or the enthusiasim to do anything with the old girl (the car, not the wife). He was actually one week away from sending the TR6 to the crusher! I heard about it just by dumb luck through a mutual friend; gave him a call and took a trailer and a buddy (road trip marathon) up to Seattle, not even knowing what shape it was in or even what color (brown). Mine was in very good shape compared to the "rusty beauty" you rescued. Mine was never disassembled, in a wreck, or even sat outside, and had no "rodent-residents" Since then I have gone through ALL systems and it runs and drives just great now! When I got it back here to Southern Oregon everyone wanted to know "what color are you going to paint it?". I was not really fond of the BROWN color anymore than most people were, but after owning and driving it for 10 years now, I have given it alot of thought and decided to keep it BROWN. It is the factory color and it is in really great condition. The paint is not faded or blistered nor cracked. It has several scratches and a few dings here and there, which I tend to think of as "battle scars". My old-survivor TR6 is a road warrior and is happiest carving a turn on some windy back country lane. "Yes", Elin. Keep it brown and drive it proudly, you'll be glad you did. Jerry 😎👍 PS: I paid $400 bucks for my "non-rusty beauty" True story.

Congratulations Elin! Lots of nice period parts on it (those front turn signal lenses are rare, with the chrome painted edges. I think I have a front bumper for you (it’s one Tush gave to me so… it’s free if you. need it). That magazine is interesting. It’s the last issue before I took over as editor. The Newmarket Classic was my first event with the TTC after I bought “Rosie” that year, 2008. Tush’s 73 was fresh out of restoration that year and on show there. It was the year that I first met Tush too. Best of luck with the restoration when you get to it and thanks for all you do on RU-vid for the hobby.

Elin, congratulations on the Rusty Beauties article in Moss Motoring! We’ll done!

I wasn’t a fan of brown when it came out but over the years it has grown on me and looks period correct!

Very pleased for you to have achieved your ambition of owning a TR6. I'm always amazed at how rusty our Triumphs became in such a short period of time; I think that this one was lucky to have escaped the crusher and it can now look forward to a new lease of life. A delay to start the restoration will allow you to accumulate the required parts over time, and spread the costs. You made no mention of the soft-top frame, so presumably this will be on the list of required items. Waiting patiently for completion of the GT6.

Congratulations Elin, looks like a great starting point and good to see you guys working together. Kind regards, Richard.

Should be a fun project. Congratulations!

great project, Elin - looking forward to the progress.

Awesome! Nice find and glad you had some great help and company for the trip!

Congratulations on becoming the proud owner of a TR-6 Elin.. It doesn't look that bad for a 72 apart from the colour. What were they thinking about in the 70's regarding car colours ? Beats me ..

So - you had a jack and handle in the boot of your new rusty beauty the whole time! Welcome to the TR6 owner's ranks!

Couldn't sleep, just a chance Elin was awake, he didn't let me down

32, 000 miles!? Great find! Keep it brown. Once it is done, and shined up, it will look great, and it is the original color which will make it more valuable to a collector.

Big congrats on getting your own TR6! A good year too. 👍

Another one to be saved! Good for you Elin, Cheers

Excellent Elin! Looking forward to this build series. ‘72 is the best year for the TR, but I’m biased 😉

...and the beat goes on! Thankfully! That car is now in best hands. Like everyone else here I am looking forward to seeing the GT6 get finished so this project can begin! 🙂

Congratulations Elin! Cars like that find you!

That's a very nice Rusty Beauty. I'm glad for you and happy that you had the vision to invest in your future. Happy trails ahead.

So excited for this! I recently bought a 72 with the same Sienna brown and light tan interior!

Looks like this car was driven hard its entire life. Reconsider the Sienna Brown!!!! It's kind of a unique color ! Jay Leno found a 911 in this color and he decided that he really liked it ! I call it a " Sleeper Color"

hooray!!!!! your in the tr 6 club with your own FINALLY>im thrilled for you .

Wow!! Finally .... I was hoping you'd get a TR6 .... I actually thought you were collecting Les' TR6 which we never heard anymore about ! As always .... looking forward to watching your videos .... Welcome to 'the club' 😊😊

You had to buy the car now elin, there might not be one around in 2 years time or not what you were looking for. Buy now and you've got it to start when you want, also you know its in your mind and if you see a reasonably priced part you can buy ans stow away for later. Wise buy mate.

And how many of us will be removing front signal lights in search of spare keys? This guy for one!

Congratulations Elin 😃Great project.

Nice rescues guys. I have A 1972 Siena brown TR6 on que for restoration also. Congrats.

looks like it will be a fun project. Best of luck once you get started.

38,000 miles and a blown engine? Wow, someone didn't cherish this TR6 very much. The seats are good and you have shoulder restraints. I'm having to retrofit shoulder restraints on my '74 Alfa.

I interviewed for a salesman job at Ashley Motors on O'Connor Drive in Toronto around 1979. They only wanted to see me because they were a BLMC dealer and my name and nationality intrigued them. The interviewer asked me how I would deal with a potential customer looking for a TR6 if there was not one on the (used, obviously) lot. I told him I'd take the customers contact info and find a TR through the dealer network. That was the wrong response; I should have sold him the MGB they did have. I pointed out that there was no way in hell anybody would sell me a rubber bumpered MGB if I wanted a TR6. I didn't get the job.

the one I had was the same, ended up carmine with old English white back panel lovely car.

Cool!

Dang, you really like a challenge don't you? I love Mallard blue also. In fact, when I first decided to find a TR6, I was in a bidding war on Ebay with a Mallard blue car with the same color interior as yours. It was the best combo in my mind with mallard- better than black interior even. Can't wait to see progress.

TR's are bringing good money these day's and will only go up in value so yes it is a great investment Elin.. Cheers 🍻

Looks like some work but a nice buy. Aren’t many low mile TR6’s out there. Good luck.

So Tush is a celebrity on more than just youtube.

Go Elin Go!! Jerry 😎👍

Wow! What a shame. That rusty after only 5 years on the road. It was almost new when they stored it. Still, you like a challenge…😊

Another TR "rescued"! 😎👍

I think we will have to do the sills….

My first car was a 70 TR6 brown with tan interior bought it at Gullivers in Hamilton now I have since the spring a blue 73

GLad you found another rusty beauty but please get back to the GT6!

Keep it brown… just switch to the later Chestnut Brown which looks lovely on Triumphs even if it was shared with former BMC cars like the Allegro Marina and Mini. I loved my 79 Dolomite 1850 HL…

I am looking to get wood panel off dash (73 TR6) and "sounds" simple...remove screws and speedometer and tach. Accessing the retention nuts for speedo/tach without tearing out the underside of dash seems impossible. Is there a trick? All I am trying to do is replace oil gauge line.......

thermo rad switch was on 72s

What colour are you going to spray her when done ? White, Signal Red, Carmen Red, British Racing Green, Conifer Green, Laurel Green, Valencia Blue, Mallard Blue, French Blue, Wedgewood Blue, Delft Blue, Tahiti Blue, Royal Blue, Sapphire Blue, Damson, Gloss Black

Since Les isn’t doing anything with his TR-6 maybe he’d sell or give you parts that you might need !

David I want my pliers back

Yeah.... TR6 cool 😀 Did you oil fog the engine ? Check engine coolant ? Remove leaking battery ? Zoom Zoom

I hope, somehow, someday, to find a woman as cool as Elin's girlfriend/wife, because how this guy can bring home car after car and, seemingly, not get any grief from her, is amazing. She has got to be one amazing woman!! - Paul, USA

I think the brown color is very rare and should be on the car, the most TR 6 are green or blue. The next car from Karmann/Osnabrück Germany. The factory are closed and a part of VW now.

If I had known you were looking for a TR6 I would have sold you my 1970 sienna and tan. Little bit better shape but comes with the hard top but you would’ve had to travel to Maryland to pick it up😂

Elin the TR6 looks wonderful. The interior looks In pretty good shape too…how will you stop rodents eating it over the next few years?

I love to see know-it-all people like your big friend show how ridiculous they look when they claim to know things they don't.

I have a new right rear fender if your interested.

Hey Elin, I have a set of 69 black high back seats. They aren't quite as nice as yours but are good. One has a tear. Otherwise ok. I also have some black back covers nos for them. If you would be interested. I'd would trade with you. I'm looking for some tan seats. Let me know and we can exchange details.