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TR-6's. Love'm? Hate'm?

128 messages,  Last post on Jan 24, 2013 at 1:27 PM

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What is this discussion about? Car Buying, Car Values, Convertible

Messages Page 10 of 13

#89 of 128 Do what you want... by andys120

Mar 17, 2011 (6:34 pm)

If someone were to put a lot of pizzazz junk on a Healey 3000 or an XK-120 that would be bad but a TR6 just isn't that kind of car. Even back in the day bigger wheels roll bars and extra lights and other boy-racer stuff were commonly added on. It's easy to make the TR6 into a better performing sand better looking car so I say go for it.
 
I think Shifty's analysis of the S2000 vs TR6 is entirely correct but he left off one thing. I can still squeeze into a TR6 but there's no way I can squeeze my carcass into the little Honda. That may or may not be relevant to your situation.

#90 of 128 Re: Do what you want... [andys120] by stickguy

Mar 17, 2011 (6:36 pm)

Replying to: andys120 (Mar 17, 2011 6:34 pm)
I seem to recall fitting fine in the Honda. My BIL is a beefy guy, not quite as tall as I am (6') and he never complains. Probably not a good idea if you are very "broad of beam" though!
 
Nothing like a Miata. That, I didn't fit in at all.

#91 of 128 Re: Do what you want... [andys120] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Mar 17, 2011 (8:05 pm)

Replying to: andys120 (Mar 17, 2011 6:34 pm)
TR6s will be worth more serious money in 5 (easily $30K +), since we have comparable big jumps in value for the MGBs and Porsche 914s---- so these add-ons will only serve to devalue the car considerably. Even today, a stock TR6 will bring more money than a pimped-out one.
 
The argument that people used to modify these cars might have been true, but then people used to put V-8 engines in old Ferraris, chop and slam Ford woodies, and make Chevy Nomads into gassers.
 
It...it....PAINS me to see TR6s modified externally, not because the mods are tasteless (which is, after all, subjective opinion) but because it announces that the person doing it is a-historical. It is, in an innocent way, a kind of cultural ignorance to a snob like me.
 
To illuminate---have you ever seen a dashing couple dressed in Gatsy-era clothing while driving a 1940s car? This is a-historical. Think of a Civil War enacter wearing a WW I helmet.
 
I think with some classic cars, your ownership is a kind of stewardship.
 

#93 of 128 Re: Do what you want... [Mr_Shiftright] by andys120

Mar 18, 2011 (10:58 am)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Mar 17, 2011 8:05 pm)
Pre-'74 TR6s might see some increase in value but they just don't have the panache of an MG-B or a 914 IMO. They're more analogous to 240/260Zs which had much better performance and were highly desired when new yet have languished in value.
 
 I wouldn't hesitate to modify a post '74 car to my liking; surely those are unlikely to appreciate much.

#94 of 128 Re: Do what you want... [andys120] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Mar 18, 2011 (10:57 am)

Well we can have a side bet on that---a traditional British sports car with a big six and classic styling? C'mon, It's got EVERYTHING going for it. It's definitely going skywards now that the Healeys are all bought up and restored. Geez, even MGAs are busting $30K and the TR is more car than that.
 
Now's the time to buy an early TR6. You won't be able to touch 'em in 5-10 years.
 
You may be right about the rubber-bumper cars, though--they will always languish behind their chromed brothers.

#95 of 128 Not that I'm an expert.... by kyfdx HOST

Mar 19, 2011 (1:38 pm)

But... I came of car buying age in the '70s..... and, I'd put the TR-6 above either the MGB or the 914 in collectibility...
 
I have a lot more appreciation for the 914 now, than I did then, but I think I'm in the minority... If I were ranking them, it would be TR-6, 914, MGB...
 
But, if I had to go buy a car from that era with my own money, it would be a 240/260/280Z (2-seater only).
 
I've got nothing against mechanical upgrades...or, even better wheels, as long as they are close to stock size... Not too fond of oversized wheels, roll bars and big rally car driving lights on the TR-6.
 
I'm not a snob, like Shifty, so I don't think owners owe the rest of us anything, when it comes to modifying their own cars.. But, that doesn't mean we can't make fun of them.

#96 of 128 Re: Not that I'm an expert.... [kyfdx] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Mar 19, 2011 (1:50 pm)

Replying to: kyfdx (Mar 19, 2011 1:38 pm)
If doing something right makes one a snob, count me in.

#97 of 128 Re: Not that I'm an expert.... [Mr_Shiftright] by kyfdx HOST

Mar 19, 2011 (1:52 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Mar 19, 2011 1:50 pm)
I was only repeating what you said... lol..

#98 of 128 Re: Not that I'm an expert.... [kyfdx] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Mar 19, 2011 (1:53 pm)

Replying to: kyfdx (Mar 19, 2011 1:52 pm)
Yes I know, and I'm proud of it. All modified TR6s are welcome but they go to the back row.

Messages Page 10 of 13

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