Phil McConnell's 1973 Triumph GT-6 Resto-Mod

[Spitfire 350]

This car was purchased as a basket case / project car 2/7/2024.

The original plan for this car was to rebuild it as a stock "driver", but things have changed. My revised plan is to build a modified GT-6 that could have been built in 1973, sort of a "day two" version. The original frame and body were extremely rust free with no rust holes in the floors or frame. The engine is an aluminum 1963 Buick 215 cubic inch V8 that was factory rated at 200hp @ 5,000 RPM. This engine should be 60 to 80 pounds lighter than the stock cast iron 6 cylinder and have twice the power. The transmission is an S-10 T5. Although the T5 was not available in 1973, the GT-6 overdrive transmission and a Toyota 5 speed transmission were available, so a 5 speed GT-6 could have been built back then. The electric fuel pump is located under the trunk. The aluminum radiator is a Mazda RX3 unit, with a fully shrouded 16" electric pusher fan. The stock GT-6 differential is still in place as is the Mk III swing axle suspension. The battery has been relocated to the trunk.

The firewall was notched for the v8 and the transmission tunnel/cover was modified to match the new firewall configuration. The shifter comes through the transmission cover approximately one inch forward of the original shifter location. The majority of the frame modifications were to the top inside flange in the transmission area. The inner sides of the frame in this area were also modified which left a couple of openings that had to be filled with flat steel. Notches were cut in the top flange behind the transmission area to make clearance for the transmission yoke/u-joint. Every place that was cut got welded back together for strength. Motor mount plates and crossmember mounts were welded to the frame.

The frame was sandblasted and painted. All bushings in the front and rear suspension as well as the springs were replaced. All other suspension components were stripped and painted or replaced. All brake system components except for the rear drums and backing plates were replaced.

The stock wiring harness was in good, undamaged condition, so it was not replaced. The hazard and headlight switches were replaced and all electrical connections were cleaned or replaced. 

The RV8 style headers are ceramic coated and the 2" dual exhaust runs under the body near the rocker panels. 24" Cherry Bomb glass pack mufflers with turn down tips complete the system.

The body was hung from the rafters in the garage to gain access to the underside. The underside was wire brushed with an angle grinder, then painted with rust reformer and undercoating before being re-assembled to the frame. A hole was cut in the hood to make clearance for the air cleaner. The hole in the hood is covered by a modified 1970 Trans Am hood scoop. Hood assist is provided by a pair of gas struts.

The original door panels and dashboard were in good condition and were re-installed. The speedometer, electric tachometer, and oil pressure gauge are aftermarket units. New side bolster foam was installed in the seats under the original upholstery. A new carpet kit was installed. New side panels for the area behind the seats and new trunk cover panels for the cargo area were made. The steering wheel was refurbished and a custom arm rest/console was made. The headliner, window seals, and door seals will be replaced when the windows are removed for painting of the body.

The weight of the completed car, with a full tank of gas, is 1940 pounds. The front axle weight is 1020 pounds (52.6%) and the rear axle weight is 920 pounds(47.4%). This car is carrying 9.7 pounds per horsepower. For reference, a 1973 big block Corvette carried approximately 12 pounds per horsepower.

[Spitfire 350]

On the original post, I tried to rearrange some of the photos and somehow accidentally turned them into png files. They have been deleted and replaced with the jpg files below.