The British sports car industry has churned out some fascinating machinery, typically 2-seaters boiled down to the barest essence of an automobile. There are some, like the MGs, that were affordable fun and some, like the six-cylinder Austin-Healeys, that were big horsepower machines. Falling somewhere in-between are cars like the Triumph TR6, which combined diminutive proportions with a burly six-cylinder engine, all at a very affordable price. An evolution of the TR4, TR250, and TR5, the TR6 was gracefully restyled by Karmann of Germany to create, at least at first glance, an all-new car. With excellent proportions, an all-independent suspension, and that big engine up front, the TR6 is poised to become the next big thing in British collectables.

This particular 1975 Triumph TR6 is exactly the one you’d want to keep for posterity. It’s originally from California, and comes with all the benefits typically associated with west-coast cars: no rust, clean undercarriage, and impressive original paint. It landed in the collection of a local enthusiast in 1985, and over the next 30 years, he enjoyed the TR6 sparingly and never in inclement weather, so the car’s California heritage is still meaningful. Today it shows just 42,234 original miles and that low mileage figure is reflected in every aspect of the car. The British Racing Green paint is almost entirely original save for the right front fender, which was repainted quite some time ago. There are a few signs of age, some checking, and maybe a little fading from the California sun, but it would be a mistake to repaint this car. You’ll note that the gold stripes on the flanks are painted, not decals, and while there are some thin areas where it’s been buffed, it has a proper 1970s look that suits the car just fine. And I, for one, happen to like the big rubber bumper overriders that give the front and rear of the car some substance. The chrome is original and in good order and shows only very, very minor pitting on the horizontal surfaces of the bumpers, but again, it’s original and not worth restoring in the quest for perfection; it’s so minimal that it doesn’t even show up in photographs. This is a really clean original car.

The tan vinyl interior is a great contrast to the more frequently seen black upholstery, and for a car that will undoubtedly spend most of its life in the sun, it’s a much more user-friendly choice. The seats are likely original and are in excellent condition, but the door panels, carpets, and shifter boot have been replaced at some point. However, given the excellent condition of the original components, there’s nothing that looks either too fresh or too old to work in this car and it’s really quite appealing overall. The wood dash offers fully functional Smiths gauges that have big, clear faces and there are no deviations from stock—it even has the original AM/FM radio! The top is an ancient replacement top that needs to be replaced, but new ones are extremely inexpensive (less than $400) and you can install them yourself so it’s not a big deal. Our photo shoot was probably the first time in 30 years that the top has actually been up and we had to cut out the quarter windows to get it into position because they were so hardened by age. However, the car does include a matching tan boot and a full tonneau cover, which is how the current owner has enjoyed it since he acquired it in 1985, so the top may be a non-issue to many buyers. The trunk is neatly outfitted with original carpets and side panels and there’s a full-sized spare underneath in a well that shows none of the usual corrosion issues found in these cars.

The heart of the TR6 is the engine, a burly 2.5 liter inline-six that makes this little roadster a lot more entertaining than, say, a garden-variety MGB. With twin side-draft carburetors and an aftermarket exhaust header, it’s a very strong runner that doesn’t get fussy as you’d expect, and thanks to a recent checkup by a well-regarded mechanic here in town, it runs superbly. The big six totally transforms this little British roadster into something more akin to a muscle car and is entertaining to drive, even for guys who were raised on V8 torque. The original California emissions equipment was removed but is included with the sale, as are all the other original parts including the cast iron exhaust manifold and valve cover. The exhaust system sounds spectacular, giving the TR a wonderful baritone wail at full tilt and you’ll never get tired of blipping the throttle on downshifts to hear it cackle.

The 4-speed manual gearbox is a delight, with short, positive throws and light clutch action that encourages energetic driving. The TR6 also received an agile fully independent suspension that sets it apart from its less exclusive competition, and the brakes are powerful given the car’s modest curb weight. As a California car, there are no issues underneath, with clean frame rails and floors and rocker boxes that don’t raise any questions. It’s not detailed for show, but for a car that you’re going to want to drive—a lot—it’s in exactly the right condition. The stainless exhaust fits well, the floors are protected by a light dusting of undercoating that doesn’t hide anything, and it has recently been fitted with 15-inch Panasport wheels that emulate period Minilites. Fresh 205/60/15 radials have been fitted and have less than a mile on them today and the original steel wheels and redline tires are included with the car.

Look around and you’ll discover that clean, original, no-stories cars like this are not only hard to find but increasingly desirable to collectors. The TR6 remains affordable, but only for now, as prices on the earlier TR5 and TR250 are climbing seemingly by the day. Take home this ultra-clean, fully-sorted, low-mileage roadster and enjoy it while it appreciates.