GT6 Mk3
In November 1970 the GT6 Mk3 was
launched . In line with the Spitfire MkIV, the tail was "chopped-off" and the
bonnet flattened out. The rear roof line of the GT6 was altered and the petrol cap and
door handles ceased to protrude. The US market being the largest customer was all
important to Triumph and in 1972 to meet US emission regulations the US specification cars
saw a change in carburettor, piston, ignition, distributor and camshaft design reducing
the cars power to 95bhp. In 1973 the GT6 was face lifted, new fabric upholstery, new style
intruments and for the European market servo assisted brakes and "sundym" glass.
The US specification cars emission control was also further controlled bringing the power
output down to just 79bhp, little more that the UK spitfire. All this extra cost on the
car meant the car was now not so competitive so the advance rear suspension was converted
back to the old swing axle type to keep the car comparable with its nearest rival the
MGBGT. Optimism was high in the sales department but in reality the bell was tolling. The
safety legislation enforced by the US market meant a considerable increase in weight - the
exhaust emission regulations badly affected the power of the six-cylinder engine and sales
dropped...and dropped.
No official death certificate was released but on the thirtieth of November 1973 the last
two GT6s produced quietly left the factory.
PRODUCTION FIGURES :
Approximately 80% of GT6's were exported with over half of total production going to the
United States.
MK III - No. Built: 13042 ( Oct 70 - Dec 73 )
Comm. No.: KE1 - KE24218
Comm. No.: KF for US market 1971 model: KE1 and on (KF prefix for U.S. cars)
1972: KE (KF) 10001 and on 1973: KE (KF) 20001 to 24218
Engine: 6 cyl, 1998cc, 104
bhp at 5300 rpm - US Specification fitted with a detuned 1998 cc 6 cylinder engine
producing only 95 bhp reducing to 79bhp by the end to 1973 Compression ratio: 9.25:1 - - 95 bhp @
4700 rpm (1971, U.S.) -- C/R 8.0:1; 79 bhp (1972-73, U.S. engines
with UE suffix)
PreTax Price £970 - £1285
