Project SLVRBLT- A rapid piece of silver British metal

Thought I'd start a build thread for this project as I need something to keep me motivated amid some setbacks that I've recently encountered.... 

First, what is it? The car is a 1972 Triumph GT6 built to be an absolute rocket as Triumphs go. I know, its old.... but, I like OLD cars, and I love Triumphs. This car was owned by a friend for the past 35 years. 18 years ago, he contracted a local race shop to build it to his specs. They got it mostly fabbed up and drove it up and down the local roads a couple times to ensure that it was sound in its build, then tore it down to paint the body. Then the shop went bankrupt.... My friend ended up collecting the unfinished, disassembled car from the shop and it has sat in this shape ever since. 

Fast forward to today, my friend decided he needed to move the project on and reached out to my father and I. He made us a deal that we could not pass up. The car is ours. Dad does not have any interest in racing at this point in life, so the car will be coming to live with me. 

At this point, my father has checked out the car and taken a ton of pics, and I have only seen pics. So everything I know is from pics and from talking with my friend. 

So, what is she? What's been done? What do I need to do?

1972 Triumph GT6- with Rotoflex style rear suspension

Custom Radiator (I think Sirocco based) with an oil cooler attached.

Updated to 4x114.3 Wheels with custom 15" wheels (TR6 size wheels)

Wilwood front brakes

TR6 Transmission with A-Type Overdrive. Throwout bearing converted to concentric hydraulic bearing. Custom driveshaft

R160 or R180 Differential with CVjoint axles and some sort of matching rear hubs.

Rear disc brake conversion

Rear suspension has most of rotoflex suspension (think Lotus Elan) but has custom parts in some places)

Adjustable coilovers on all corners

Cage welded into body

Rear body dropped and fuel cell installed (looks like a cheapo that might get replaced at some point).

Flared rear fenders

Lexan window throughout (need to be installed)

So what does she need to drive?  

I need to build a new cylinder head for it. My friend 'borrowed' its head for his TR6

I need to get a 3rd Weber DCOE for the custom intake manifold I just sourced  (GT6's have a special manifold to clear the bonnet). 

Have to plumb fuel plumbing. 
Build an exhaust system.

Have to install dash and instruments

Have to install wiring harness

Have to plumb brakes from each wheel to master cylinders

Have to install seats

There will be a ton more, but those are the big tasks. 

Before I can even begin to get the car home:

I need to purchase a trailer to store the car in

Prep a parking pad to put the trailer on next to my home. 

I guess I better put some pics in this thread....

Well, it's a good-looking car, so at least you got that part sorted...

Do you plan on racing it? Autocross? 

I don't think I would have passed on that either.  It looks really nice   That should be a fun ride whatever you do with it.

You should be able to find (or already have) a head, but I have a spare from a '74 if you need it.

Thanks guys! 
 

Recon, initially, I plan to autocross it. I hope to maybe do some HPDE stuff someday too, but we'll see what opportunities come.

Joe, thanks, I think a head is in the parts with the car, but won't get to see until July when I go see it for myself.

Two steps forward with the car!

First, my father and I had a 1965 Triumph Spitfire that we were getting everything together for a build. Unfortunately, we could not work both projects, so the Spit had to go. The buyer has not picked it up yet, but it is moving on. 

Next up, the inline 6 that gives a GT6 its name is just too tall to fit. Several things are done to fit it in there including a low profile thermostat housing, special valve cover, and a big center bulge in the bonnet. If you want to run a set of triple Weber DCOE's, you also need a special manifold! This manifold has each carb a little lower to clear the bonnet.

I remembered a Fbook post from about 5 years ago that a specialist Triumph tuner in England had designed a new manifold for the GT6 that looked pretty trick. I reached out to him a few weeks ago and after a few messages back and forth, I have a manifold in hand. 

I know where a set of Webers is just sitting collecting dust.  They were on the autocross car I co-drove in Virginia, so already jetted for a hot TR6 motor.  They would probably just need some cleaning and new seals.

In reply to JoeTR6 :

I'm sending you a PM. 

I have a pair of matched carbs, but buying a matched triple set might be easier than finding the single to match the pair I have.

This weekend was awesome and eye opening. I answered a ton of questions I had and I added a number more.

I finally had the opportunity to go up and get my hands on the GT6. While I did not get to bring it home, I was able to sell my Spitfire project, so that is one more hurdle out of the way. 
 

First up, much more work is done on the car than I realized. Next, The battery, all bracketry and wiring are already moved to the trunk/boot. Under the bonnet, you have to modify the firewall for triple Weber carbs to fit, and that work is already done. The steering rack is already mounted and mods needed for it are done. 
 

The car also has a lot more special parts than I was aware of. It has an ATI super damper which seriously helps the Triumph six with its lack of enough main bearings. The engine also has an oil cooler installed, along with an a custom Aldon distributor.

Those rear arches look beefier than I recall for a gt6. 

Many years ago there was an autocross gt6 locally that ran triple webers - he had modified the bonnet to have a clear plexiglass bubble for the front most webers.

Many years ago there was an autocross gt6 locally that ran triple webers - he had modified the bonnet to have a clear plexiglass bubble for the front most webers.

Keith Tanner said:

Those rear arches look beefier than I recall for a gt6. 

Very much so. She's hiding some special stuff underneath as well. The flares aren't crazy, but its genuinely a widebody GT6. 

SSR Competition wheels, too. Nice :)

If you are intent on keeping the Triumph engine, some alloy engine plates and an alloy water pump housing will shave some weight.  The ATI damper really does smooth out that engine.