Triumph GT6 Tyres

GT6 Tyres

Although triumph chose to fit 155R13 tyres on the GT6, often people think it is better with a wider tyre. Triumph themselves did not fit wider tyres to maintain the light progressive handling of the GT 6. If you have wider wheels, or think a GT6 looks better on the wider tyre, or if you find you get too much wheel spin; then out of the wider options, the 175/70 VR 13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 is by far the best tyre. At Longstone however, we think Triumph knew their cars better and would encourage you to stick with a 155 HR 13 XAS.

The Triumph GT6, was released in 1966. The GT6 featured a stylish fastback with an opening rear hatch, giving it the nickname of the "poor man's E-Type." It was primarily a two-seater, but a modest additional rear seat, large enough for young children, could be bought. The 6-cylinder engine, like the Vitesse 2 litre, was modified to produce 95 horsepower at 5000 rpm.

The extra power required some changes to the Spitfire's mechanics; the radiator was replaced and moved forward in the car, and the transmission was the stronger unit from the Vitesse 2 litre, with synchromesh on all four forward gears. An optional Laycock de Normanville overdrive was available, providing a 20% overdrive on third and fourth gears. In practice, this merely increased one ratio because overdrive 3rd was similar to 4th without overdrive. With the new engine, the GT6 managed a 106 mph top speed and went from 0–60 mph in a shade under 12 seconds. The fuel efficiency was quite good for the time, with 20 mpg, and the interior was on par with the competition.

The GT6's sole major flaw was its rear suspension, which inherited the Spitfire's swing-axle arrangement, which was adapted from the Herald compact saloon. It was acceptable in the saloon, disliked in the little Spitfire, and strongly criticised in the powerful GT6. Triumph had done little to modify the system for the GT6, and the car's tendency to break away if the driver pulled off the throttle mid-corner was exacerbated by the added weight at the front. The management received the worst criticism in the United States, a key export market for Triumph and one in which they have typically excelled. Triumph ceased production of the GT6 in 1973.