GT6 Mk I Triumph GT6

triumph gt6 mk i

the new car introduced in 1966 , called triumph gt6. new body sleek fastback design opening rear hatch (this gave gt6 nickname poor man s e-type .) 2-seater, small rear seat ordered if required , large enough small children. family resemblance spitfire mk ii strong, longer 6-cylinder engine necessitated new bonnet top power bulge , doors provided opening quarter light windows , squared-off glass in top rear corner. 6-cylinder engine tuned develop 95 bhp (71 kw) @ 5000 rpm, , produced 117 lb·ft (159 n·m) of torque @ 3000 rpm. increased power necessitated changes spitfire mechanics; radiator new , mounted further forward in car , gearbox stronger unit vitesse, optional overdrive. front springs uprated cope weight of new engine. overall vehicle weight unladed 1,904 lb (864 kg). interior of gt6 equipped; wooden dashboard housed full complement of instruments, carpets , heater included standard.

the new car had strong selling points. new engine provided 106 mph (171 km/h) top speed , 0–60 mph in 12 seconds, little better mgb gt. moreover, unit comparatively smooth , tractable, in marked contrast mg s rather harsh 4-cylinder engine. fuel economy reasonable period @ 20mpg, , interior competition. major criticism of rear suspension; gt6 inherited swing-axle system spitfire, in turn copied herald small saloon. in saloon tolerated, in little spitfire not liked , in powerful gt6 heavily criticised. triumph had done nothing improve system gt6 , tendency break away if driver lifted off power mid-corner not helped @ increased weight @ front of car. handling bitterly criticised in usa, important export market triumph, traditionally strong. similar criticism being levelled @ vitesse saloon, shared gt6 s engine , handling problems.