GT6 Mk1
The GT6 began when in 1963 Triumph were considering extending their range of cars. Following a discussion between Michellotti and Triumphs technical director regarding designing a fastback body for the popular Spitfire, a spitfire was delivered to Michellotti in Turin. Later that year the car was finished and returned to triumph, christened the Spitfire GT. His design added too much weight to the car so the idea was shelved but not forgotten and in 1964 the Spitfire GT project became official policy . The decision to turn it into a six-cylinder car was the result of progress with the up-grading of the Vitesse to a 1998cc. It was a bit of a squeeze getting the 1998cc six-cylinder engine into the Spitfire’s engine bay, but by creating a rather complicated cooling system and a large bonnet bulge they managed it. Assembly of the production cars commenced in July 1966 and by 1967 the build rate had steadied at 500-600 cars per month.
GT6 Mk2
In Autumn 1968 the GT6 Mk2 was introduced (known as the GT6+ in the US), it had revised body styling incorporating a raised front bumper and the rear over riders had now been removed The car was also fitted with an advanced rear suspension layout. This used a reversed lower-wishbone with double-jointed drive shafts, reducing camber change from 21 deg to 7 deg 20 mins. The effect on the handling of the GT6 was very impressive. The Mk2 also acquired a new cylinder head, borrowed from the TR5, together with a revised camshaft profile this resulting in an increase of bhp from 95 @ 5000rpm to 104 @ 5300rpm. In 1970 the Mk2 was given a face lift this included new reclining seats, matt black facia surround, new steering wheel and badges.
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.
