Raise You Two Cylinders: 1976 Triumph Spitfire Six

American car manufacturers are most commonly associated with the Malaise era in the late 1970's, but British manufacturers were far from immune to the changes to the safety and pollution regulations of the time.  The 1976 Triumph Spitfire had a curb weight of only 1800 lbs, but it's 1500 four cylinder engine weazed out enough horses for a 16 second 0-60 time.  The Triumph GT6 coupe straight six engine produced considerably more gusto and made far more pleasing sounds.  Today's Spitfire is a bit of a mashup between the two Triumph models. It would appear the builder intended to build the Spitfire that should have been offered from the factory.  Find this 1976 Triumph Spitfire for sale in Coram, NY for $6,500 via craigslist.

Baby E-Type: 1968 Triumph GT6

The Triumph GT6 was a fastback 2+2 version of the diminutive Spitfire convertible, but it got the bigger overhead valve inline-6 from the TR6 and a Giovanni Michelotti designed roof.  It was once the one of the undervalued heroes of the classic sports car world and offers a good combination of exotic looks, minimized weight, "big" engine, and low seating position in a classic 2-seat fastback shape, but values have been creeping upwards.  Find this 1968 Triumph GT6 offered for $12,000 in Englewood, CO via craigslist. Tip from Zach Z.

Why Is The Ad Still Live? 1970 Volvo 1800S and 1972 Triumph GT6

Reader Erik writes to us: Do you guys ever come across ads for awesome cars only to click on them and then find out in the text that the car just sold? Do you have a feature for that? It happened to me twice this week (links below).  Yeah, I don't get that.  The car is sold, but instead of deleting the advertisement, folks leave it up and amend the title with sold.  Are they gloating?  And it is always the best deals...sometimes makes me wonder if it is some 3rd party trying to change the market.

Auction Watch: 1968 Triumph GT6

Find this 1968 Triumph GT6 here on eBay bidding for $4,050 with a few hours to go, located in North Billerica, MA.

Auction Watch: 1972 Triumph GT6 MK3

Find this 1972 Triumph GT6 MK3 here on eBay bidding for $10,100 with auction ending today at 12:48PM Pacific.

Auction Watch: 1970 Triumph GT6+ MotoCancelli

Check out this 1970 Triumph GT6+ here on eBay bidding for $18,000 with auction ending on Sunday, located in Westminster, MD.

Michelotti Fastback: 1972 Triumph GT6 MK III

The Triumph GT6 is one of the undervalued heroes of the classic sports car world.  It offers the best combination of exotic looks, minimized weight, "big" engine, and low seating position in a classic 2-seat fastback shape, but for some reason doesn't get much love from the big bucks collectors.  Actually, this is a good thing if you aren't some trust fund kid, because it means you can buy a decent one, and drive it around without taking out a loan from your 401k.  Find this 1972 Triumph GT6 MK III here on eBay bidding for $3,050 with less than 1 day to go, located in Salisbury, MD.

Frugal Classic: 1972 Triumph GT6 Mk III

The Mark III Triumph GT6 was built from 1970 through 1973, and was a last hurrah for the poor man's E-Type before poor sales ended its short lifespan.  The GT6 is a good looking car, with decent build quality, but for some reason was outsold 3-to-1 by the MGB GT.  Inexplicably, the low production numbers have not turned into stupid high prices yet...but that can change; get 'em while they're cheap.  Find this 1972 Triumph GT6 Mk III offered for $6,950 by a dealer in College Point, NY via hemmings.

5k: Aftermarket Targa: 1973 Triumph GT6 Mk III

 The Triumph GT6 was in its third revision (Mk III) in the early 1970s and the Giovanni Michelotti designed fastback was still going strong.  Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on how you look at it) the GT6 was canceled before emissions and safety regulations turned it into a joke and 1973 was the last year for the inline-6 powered fastback from Coventry.  Find this 1973 TRIUMPH GT6 Mk III here on eBay currently bidding for $6,700 reserve-not-met with a few hours to go, located in Ashtabula, OH.

5k: Aerodynamic: 1968 Triumph GT6 Mk I

The Triumph GT6 is an example of a classic that looks way more expensive than it is, almost to a fault.  Its Giovanni Michelotti designed fastback shape will attract all kinds of looky-loos at every gas station and random people will ask you if it is a Ferrari.  Today's GT6 is equipped with an aerodynamic "LeMans" front end that amplifies the air of exotic-ness.  Just don't tell them that you've got basic Triumph running gear underneath.  Find this 1968 Triumph GT6 Mk I here on eBay currently bidding for $4,450 with 3 days to go, located in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada.

5k: Fastback To Happiness: 1970 Triumph GT6+ Mk II

 In the early 60's Triumph commissioned Turin born designer Giovanni Michelotti to create a fastback shape for their perky little Spitfire convertible.  The resulting concept was sexy, stunning, and slippery -- attributes which helped it a factory backed Spitfire GT6 to win its class in the 1965 24 Hrs of LeMans.  Today, a nice running GT6 doesn't cost much to own and a low wreck-to-whip ratio means you should buy the best one you can find...like this 1970 Triumph GT6+ currently bidding for $7,651 here on eBay with reserve-not-met, located in San Diego, CA with 2 days to go.

2k: Goggles Not Included: 1934 Frazer Nash kit, Triumph GT6 power

This Frazer Nash kit car is powered by Triumph GT6 running gear beneath a professionally finished fiberglass body, with a winged hood ornament thrown in for good measure. You can accessorize these kits like a Barbie Jeep with multiple tops, flank-mounted spare wheels and more. You'll have plenty of disposable income for such trinkets after dropping pocket change on this negotiably priced cheapskate. Find this 1934 Frazer Nash kit with GT6 power in Whispering Pines (shhh), NC for $2,300 via craigslist.

10k: A Tale Of Two Triumphs: 1971 & 1972 Triumph GT6 Mark III

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines a critic as: "one who expresses a reasoned opinion on any matter especially involving a judgment of its value, truth, righteousness, beauty, or technique."  Here at the Daily Turismo we take pride in not just regurgitating the latest listings of a pre-ordained set of cars deemed "cool" by internet pundits and strive to express an opinion on the cars we feature.  We are critics!! Hear us roar!!  Unfortunately, the use of the word reasoned is often a stretch....anyway...today we bring two cars, similar in their condition and both bidding on ebay with a few days to go and we will dissect them with a freshly inked fountain pen in the categories of value, truth, righteousness, beauty and technique.  In one corner we have the a maroon 1971 Triumph GT6 Mk III currently bidding for $5,300 with 3 days to go in Peculiar, MO and in the other corner is a white 1972 Triumph GT6 Mk III currently bidding for $6,100 in Galion, OH with 5 days to go.

 

5k: Some Assy Required: 1971 Triumph GT6

The Triumph GT6 started life as an attempt by Triumph's racing program to gain speed advantages on the long straights of Le Mans - and it was successful with a Spitfire modified to GT6 fastback shape winning first in its class in the 1965 24 Hours of Le Mans.  It is one our favorite classic European fastbacks because they are light, simple to fix and cheap to buy.  The Triumph GT6 market has been reasonable for as long we can remember, so buy a GT6 not for collector status or future appreciation, but to use as a daily driver.  Find this 1971 Triumph GT6 for sale in Henderson, MD currently bidding for $3,550 with a few hours to go.

5k: Rally Racer: 1972 Triumph GT6 Mk III

The Triumph GT6 was a Giovanni Michelotti (of Triumph Herald and BMW 2002 fame) designed fastback based on the Spitfire 4 chassis and built from 1966-1973 in three distinct generations.  The later cars have some ugly fang bumper extensions, but they also benefit from upgraded engine power and better aerodynamics.  Find this 1972 Triumph Mk III GT6 for sale in South Bend, IN currently bidding on ebay for $5,250 with 3 days to go.

Free? 1970ish Triumph GT6 w/ Chevy V8 and Flood Damage

In case you have been living in a bubble, there has been serious flooding in the greater Boulder, Colorado area in the last few days, so much that thousands of homes have been destroyed and dozens of people dead or missing.  A 24 Hours of LeMons competitor using the handle Sublimate is liquidating his fleet after his garage was flooded and he is offering most of them for free to LeMons racers before taking them to scrapper.  Find this 1970ish Triumph GT6 with Chevy V8 power for free in Boulder, CO via 24HoursofLeMons.com forums.