Are cars less characterful than they used to be?

[spoodler]

Turbobanana said:

Well, a thing happened...

After dithering seemingly forever, I stuck a bid on an eBay listing - more in hope than expectation. It was about £1000 below my "real" maximum budget and I didn't think for a minute I'd be successful. I wasn't even online when the auction ended, so I was surprised to discover that my bid was the highest of the 21 the seller received, yet was still £600 less than my maximum bid: I'd won a car!

The seller was contacted and a deposit paid. He admitted he'd cocked up and opted for "best bid" rather than "reserve" but was honourable and said he'd go through with the sale.

I dodged the rail strikes and set off after work yesterday. Car collected, balance paid, licence (free) acquired and I set off for the 90-mile drive home. In a car the size of a go-kart that I'd never seen. On roads I didn't know. With zero fuel in the tank. In pouring rain signifying the start of the much-anticipated British monsoon season. What could possibly go wrong?

Long (and wet) story short: I eventually arrived home just before 10pm after enduring the toughest journey I've ever experienced in 35 years of driving. And the best part? The Prince of Darkness saved his inevitable visit until I was literally a mile from home, meaning the portion of the journey spent without lights, wipers or gauges was mercifully short.*

A new 35A fuse this morning and we're into our first commute to work - at least until it blows again, probably on the way home.

Here's my new acquisition in the work car park, absolutely dwarfed by the behemoth that is a Vauxhall Corsa:



Updates to follow - possibly a Readers' Cars thread if anyone's interested?

* Apologies to all the traffic I held up / pissed off in heavy rain past Willen Lake, Milton Keynes last night.

Congratulations! And don't worry about holding up traffic, in reality very few folk really have somewhere important to be... I think pretty much all my recent old car buys have had a problem on the journey home. One had the transmission linkage fail and I had to drive it all the way to Wiltshire from Derbyshire, in top. Another had the lights and indicators fail just as it got dark... All part of the adventure.

That looks like a lovely buy. All the best with it, it certainly wouldn't be for everyone. I've had loads of small chassis Triumphs and always found them charming things to own. A well set up Spitfire or GT6 has had some of the best steering feel I've experienced, despite owning far more critically acclaimed brands. I hope you enjoy yours.

From a good few years back...

[Turbobanana]

Thanks for the good wishes, chaps. To be honest I was really impressed with how it handled the atrocious conditions last night. In truth I should have trailered it / had it recovered, but where's the fun in that? It's what AA Recovery was invented for, right?

The seller admitted he'd lost a shed load of money on it but just wanted it gone. I'm confident I could make a profit if I flipped it tomorrow, but I've wanted one since I was about 8 and saw one outside the village shop.

Cabin heat was quite intense, yes, especially on a warm, wet night, but I had the quarterlights and rear windows open for ventilation so I only got slightly wet.

I was so wrapped up in getting it home I didn't even notice the keyring until just now:

[Chunkychucky]

RDMcG said:

O/T, I love the 997GT3s, but the only time I went to the Ring and rented a Suzuki Swift, I got held up from T13 through Hatzenbach by an orange 997.1 GT3RS with the numberplate 'FA51DAD', kind of put me off them a bit after seeing that...

[spoodler]

Love the keyring.
Trans' tunnel heat in mine was so intense that I'd really struggle in summer traffic, my left leg would be too hot to keep on the clutch. Nowadays, I know enough to make sure the tunnel is properly bolted down and properly insulated. I had a similar problem with my current old Chevyvan, I've lined the doghouse with tin foil bubble wrap type insulation and it has made a huge difference.

[TarquinMX5]

Congratulations; I've always liked the GT6 from way-back-when but have never owned one, or even been in one for that matter. I appreciate that they were never 'big' cars but it's still surprising how small they look alongside something like a Corsa.

[Turbobanana]

TarquinMX5 said:

Congratulations; I've always liked the GT6 from way-back-when but have never owned one, or even been in one for that matter. I appreciate that they were never 'big' cars but it's still surprising how small they look alongside something like a Corsa.

I'm 6'1" and "generously" built: it was a genuine concern whether I'd actually fit in the thing. Turns out it's really comfortable, although entry / egress could be more elegant...

[Turbobanana]

spoodler said:

Love the keyring.
Trans' tunnel heat in mine was so intense that I'd really struggle in summer traffic, my left leg would be too hot to keep on the clutch. Nowadays, I know enough to make sure the tunnel is properly bolted down and properly insulated. I had a similar problem with my current old Chevyvan, I've lined the doghouse with tin foil bubble wrap type insulation and it has made a huge difference.

Thanks spoodler - good info there. Is there any negative effect on the gearbox having heat reflected back at it by foil?

[QBee]

Turbobanana said:

TarquinMX5 said:

Congratulations; I've always liked the GT6 from way-back-when but have never owned one, or even been in one for that matter. I appreciate that they were never 'big' cars but it's still surprising how small they look alongside something like a Corsa.

I'm 6'1" and "generously" built: it was a genuine concern whether I'd actually fit in the thing. Turns out it's really comfortable, although entry / egress could be more elegant...

I'm 68 and similar sized to your good self.
Let's just say that getting in and out of my TVR Chimaera is similarly inelegant, and definitely easier with the roof off.

Well done on your purchase - lovely and very small car.

[spoodler]

Turbobanana said:

spoodler said:

Love the keyring.
Trans' tunnel heat in mine was so intense that I'd really struggle in summer traffic, my left leg would be too hot to keep on the clutch. Nowadays, I know enough to make sure the tunnel is properly bolted down and properly insulated. I had a similar problem with my current old Chevyvan, I've lined the doghouse with tin foil bubble wrap type insulation and it has made a huge difference.

Thanks spoodler - good info there. Is there any negative effect on the gearbox having heat reflected back at it by foil?

Originally the tunnel would be a sort of pressed cardboard. Attached to that would be a plastic bag full of, what looked like, the stuffing from old teddy bears... I doubt many cars have the original tunnels, they used to become saturated over time and fall to bits. Most will probably have a fibreglass replacement by now. If it doesn't have some sort of insulation, there is very little protecting you from the heat. The other sources of heat were the gear lever gaiter, the tunnels rarely being properly bolted down (they unbolt to allow access to the gearbox from within the car) and the heat from the exhaust (which, again, can be deflected with foil). I would imagine that yours would probably have had some of this addressed. And, no, I've never heard of any problems associated with insulating the tunnel.

[Yertis]

Turbobanana said:

I'm 6'1" and "generously" built: it was a genuine concern whether I'd actually fit in the thing. Turns out it's really comfortable, although entry / egress could be more elegant...

Same as me. I was genuinely worried I'd get claustrophobia when I bought mine unseen from an underground car park in London. But I loved it! I want another one. Lovely cars.

[P5BNij]

Congratulations Turbo, it's definitely a candidate for a Reader's Cars thread

About fifteen years ago I went with a mate who was viewing a '71 GT6 and the owner allowed both of us to drive it, it was a little ropey but I enjoyed it tremendously, it felt nice and snug inside for me (I'm 5' 3'') and handled much better than I was expecting. Galloping rust put my mate off buying it, he bought an MGB GT the following week but we both agreed a nice sorted GT6 is still on the 'shopping list'.

[Yertis]

What year is it? Looks like it might be late one.

[Turbobanana]

Yertis said:

What year is it? Looks like it might be late one.

1971 K, currently on awful slot mags but with a set of 5.5J steels to go on once refurbished, which should go some way to improving the aesthetics.

Colour is not original and the respray is questionable.

[rovermorris999]

Turbobanana said:

Yertis said:

What year is it? Looks like it might be late one.

1971 K, currently on awful slot mags but with a set of 5.5J steels to go on once refurbished, which should go some way to improving the aesthetics.

Colour is not original and the respray is questionable.

Lovely car, please do a thread on it.

[Mr Tidy]

Turbobanana said:

1971 K, currently on awful slot mags but with a set of 5.5J steels to go on once refurbished, which should go some way to improving the aesthetics.

Colour is not original and the respray is questionable.

Lovely, I've always thought the GT6 was a good looking car.

Basically a smaller and cheaper version of my dream car in the 60s and 70s, an E-Type FHC.

Would love to see a Readers Cars thread on it. :thumbup;

[Yertis]

Turbobanana said:

Yertis said:

What year is it? Looks like it might be late one.

1971 K, currently on awful slot mags but with a set of 5.5J steels to go on once refurbished, which should go some way to improving the aesthetics.

Colour is not original and the respray is questionable.

The 5.5Js really help the look of the GT6, especially with a decent profile tyre. I think I was running 175/70 Goodyear NCT2s, good combo of width and sidewall. More pics please – I'm motivated to get my own GT6 project rolling again...

[FHCNICK]

Turbobanana said:

Well, a thing happened...

After dithering seemingly forever, I stuck a bid on an eBay listing - more in hope than expectation. It was about £1000 below my "real" maximum budget and I didn't think for a minute I'd be successful. I wasn't even online when the auction ended, so I was surprised to discover that my bid was the highest of the 21 the seller received, yet was still £600 less than my maximum bid: I'd won a car!

The seller was contacted and a deposit paid. He admitted he'd cocked up and opted for "best bid" rather than "reserve" but was honourable and said he'd go through with the sale.

I dodged the rail strikes and set off after work yesterday. Car collected, balance paid, licence (free) acquired and I set off for the 90-mile drive home. In a car the size of a go-kart that I'd never seen. On roads I didn't know. With zero fuel in the tank. In pouring rain signifying the start of the much-anticipated British monsoon season. What could possibly go wrong?

Long (and wet) story short: I eventually arrived home just before 10pm after enduring the toughest journey I've ever experienced in 35 years of driving. And the best part? The Prince of Darkness saved his inevitable visit until I was literally a mile from home, meaning the portion of the journey spent without lights, wipers or gauges was mercifully short.*

A new 35A fuse this morning and we're into our first commute to work - at least until it blows again, probably on the way home.

Here's my new acquisition in the work car park, absolutely dwarfed by the behemoth that is a Vauxhall Corsa:



Updates to follow - possibly a Readers' Cars thread if anyone's interested?

* Apologies to all the traffic I held up / pissed off in heavy rain past Willen Lake, Milton Keynes last night.

I have been waiting to see what you would end up with since you started the thread so can't believe I missed this post. Congratulations, what a fabulous little car and getting to be a rare sight on the road.

To be honest I thought you had your sights set on a 90's car so was surprised when you added the little GT into the mix and then you said it was a childhood dream car which of course makes it the right choice. Hope you are going to bring it to the Silverstone Classic, I for one march past exotica to look around one of these

[Turbobanana]

Yertis said:

Turbobanana said:

Yertis said:

What year is it? Looks like it might be late one.

1971 K, currently on awful slot mags but with a set of 5.5J steels to go on once refurbished, which should go some way to improving the aesthetics.

Colour is not original and the respray is questionable.

The 5.5Js really help the look of the GT6, especially with a decent profile tyre. I think I was running 175/70 Goodyear NCT2s, good combo of width and sidewall. More pics please – I'm motivated to get my own GT6 project rolling again...

Thanks Yertis, good intel.

Turns out I have 3 x 5.5J (inc the spare) and 2 x 5.0J, so I will trawl eBay for a pair and sell the smaller two, as well as the slot mags. I really want it on the steels as it will look so much better, although the slot mags are immaculate and the tyres literally brand new (albeit Nexens).

My kids have been away all week and just saw it for the first time - they love it!

[sideways man]

Congratulations on the purchase; a great choice. Looking forward to the readers thread….
Thinking of a GT6 myself; I’m interested to know how it feels, as you’ve obviously come from a ‘modern’ fwd Saab.

I do love a decent set of slot mags

[Turbobanana]

Little update, prior to starting a proper Readers' Cars thread:

I've been really busy, so time for the little GT6 has been limited. I did manage to order some bits: wiper blades (the correct, bright finish - I can't stand the black ones on older cars), a voltage stabiliser (see below), some 35amp fuses (see below) and some generally useful bits like stainless steel nuts & bolts (see below).

You'll probably recall my visit from the Prince of Darkness at the end of my epic journey home. I replaced the blown fuse (one of just 3 in a GT6 fusebox) but on my maiden commute the morning after purchase it just blew again immediately. Researching t'internet suggested the voltage stabiliser would be a good place to start. Let's just say that replacing it was "tricky" due to Triumph's decision to place this on the back of the speedo. Anyway, got that done last night (eventually) and upon starting all the gauges and lights affected appeared to work, but engaging and disengaging the overdrive resulted in an electric shock from the gearlever - bizarre!

More internet research suggested the wiring for the overdrive is another weak spot, running up inside the gearlever to the switch mounted on the knob (ooh, err etc). Triumph saw fit to insulate this wiring using varnish, which eventually wears out and shorts the whole thing. If you're touching the bare metal spokes of the steering wheel while this happens, it can be quite a jolt apparently

So, I've ordered a new knob (stop sniggering at the back!), wiring and switch, figuring if I need to replace it all I may as well make it look nice.

Awaiting arrival of all this, but won't have a chance to fix it until next week unfortunately.

The bonnet catch on the left appeared to be loose, and proved to be held in by one self-tapper. Now has 3 stainless steel nuts & bolts doing the job properly.

Sorry there's no slightly blurry pictures of the oily bits like these things normally attract, but I don't think you need to see them. I'll save the pics for when it's all running and can be driven somewhere that isn't my garage.

V5 arrived too, so I can put my plate on it now