There's something wonderful about a well kept vintage European sports car. The Continent produced so many classic and beautiful shapes from the postwar years leading up to the early '70s. They seemed to lose the plot a bit around that time, brought on by American laws for lights and bumpers. I've always liked the Triumph Spitfire roadster, but it's easy to forget that a fastback coupe version exists.
The Spitfire was first introduced in 1962 as an affordable sports roadster based on the Triumph Herald family car line. It rode on a shorter version of the Herald frame and used four-cylinder Herald running gear. This car was a nice-looking little open top runabout but was no world-beater with leisurely (by modern standards) acceleration and a sketchy swing axle rear suspension prone to lift-off oversteer in corners. MG's MGB was strong competition for the Spitfire and it was available as a hatchback. Triumph needed an edge.
The answer was the 1966 GT6, an upgraded Spitfire with a 2.0 liter inline six engine and a handsome fastback profile reminiscent of the more expensive Jaguar E-Type coupe. The Mark I GT6 debuted midway through the Mark II Spitfire's run, so confusingly its "Mark" designation would always be one behind its convertible twin.
This GT6 is a Mark III, the last iteration of the model produced between 1970 and 1973. It featured a facelifted front and rear fascia with a cleaner, more modern look and simplified badging. Interiors were also upgraded with wood veneer trim, low glare plastics and some effort made to increase passenger comfort and control heat. The last cars would receive an updated "swing spring" rear suspension and front anti-roll bar to minimize the unpredictable handling common with swing axle vehicles. A North American spec car like this would weigh a smidge over a ton and produce about 104 horsepower, affording a 0-60 time around ten seconds. This one appears to have seen duty in the Glen Region near the famous Watkins Glen racetrack in New York state. The SCCA (Sports Car Club of America) stickers and grille shield suggest the car has been enjoyed properly.
Photographed September 2016
I never owned a running GT6 but I have owned Spitfires for over 40 years. This GT6 Mk3 is the one I would want. It looks great! Hopefully see one at the next show.
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