Lot 150 - 1972 Triumph GT6 Mk. III

• Subject to a ground-up restoration
• Factory fitted four-speed with overdrive gearbox

Designed by Giovanni Micheloti, famed for the creation of many Italian exotics such as Ferrari and Maserati, Micheloti first penned the GT4 prototype, a Spitfire 4/Mk. I based GT car in 1963 utilising the Spitfires 1147cc engine. The styling of the car was met with great reviews, however the additional weight associated with the coupé shell meant that plans to put the car into production where shelved. In 1964 Triumph utilised the styling to create glass-fibre moulds which when grafted onto the race developed Spitfire 4/Mk. I led to great success, finishing 13th overall and first in Class at the 1965 24 Hours of Le Mans. Triumph decided to revisit the GT4 idea and in replacing the under-powered Spitfire 4 engine with the more powerful Triumph Vitesse two litre, six-cylinder engine, the GT6 was born and production of the Mk. I GT6 commenced in July 1966. During the course of the next four years the GT6 received a number of styling changes and mechanical developments, dramatically improving the handling and in October 1970 the GT6 Mk. III was introduced with a total of 13,042 units being built before the end of production in December 1973.

Originally sold in August 1972, this sensational matching numbers Triumph GT6 looks utterly resplendent finished in the original Saffron Yellow (code 54) with a contrasting black interior (code 11) and features the glorious two litre straight-six engine which sends power to the rear wheels via the factory optioned four speed 'overdrive' gearbox. Purchased by a previous owner in circa 2012 he set about transforming the GT6 into the show-stopping example we are proudly offering, with works being carried out over a four-year period. The bodywork restoration was entrusted to DMS, Northampton who carried out a complete body-off chassis strip down and body rebuild, followed by a full respray. The paint finish is mirror glass smooth, with a reflection to match and is extended to the underside too which received the additional benefit of correct underbody anti-corrosion protection! Carrying on the works, DMS finished the chassis in Saffron Yellow too, giving a 'cleaner' underbody appearance. All mechanical/electrical components were stripped, checked for wear and either restored or replaced. The engine has been updated to run on unleaded fuel and the car also benefits from an electronic ignition conversion. The interior was completely stripped and then fitted with new seat covers, carpets, roof lining and dashboard, all of which were specialist sourced and to the correct factory specification. Last of all, a Webasto Hollandia tilt/lift-out sunroof was fitted. This is a simply stunning example of an increasingly desirable Triumph and absolutely fit for any collection worldwide.