Since we've owned this car for longer than this website has existed...let us bring you up to speed. As stated in the About Us section of the site, we acquired this car from some nice folks in Michigan in December of 2011.
From the last photo above, it seems one of our daughters approves of the purchase!
Since it was acquired in mid-winter, we had plenty time to check it over. First order was to convert it over to a Pertronix electronic ignition. This was very easy and installed quickly along with a Pertronix coil. It made a noticeable difference in the idle quality and driving.
Next, the missus had to have tunes! We installed one of the "classic" radios you can purchase from multiple vendors utilizing the tired existing speakers in the kidney panels..which weren't in that good of shape themselves. It sounded good enough...
So, in the summer of 2012 we made a trip to Mid-Ohio Vintage Days. It was a beautiful hour drive down taking all the back roads and the 6 performed flawlessly other than the old tired seats becoming slightly uncomfortable as we neared Mid-Ohio. There was a really good turnout at the event and we parked amongst what seemed like a sea of TR6s. It was great walking around and looking as all the cars.
Since it was acquired in mid-winter, we had plenty time to check it over. First order was to convert it over to a Pertronix electronic ignition. This was very easy and installed quickly along with a Pertronix coil. It made a noticeable difference in the idle quality and driving.
Next, the missus had to have tunes! We installed one of the "classic" radios you can purchase from multiple vendors utilizing the tired existing speakers in the kidney panels..which weren't in that good of shape themselves. It sounded good enough...
So, in the summer of 2012 we made a trip to Mid-Ohio Vintage Days. It was a beautiful hour drive down taking all the back roads and the 6 performed flawlessly other than the old tired seats becoming slightly uncomfortable as we neared Mid-Ohio. There was a really good turnout at the event and we parked amongst what seemed like a sea of TR6s. It was great walking around and looking as all the cars.
We even got to drive around the track with other event-goers!
Other than diving the car and enjoying it, not much other work was done to the car. Over the summer of 2013, we noticed a somewhat burble at idle that progressed to a roughness...time to rebuild the carbs... The rear carb was rich at idle and a leaking fuel inlet valve was suspect. After receiving two carb rebuild kits, they were disassembled, cleaned, put pack together and reattached in their proper places. Much better!
2013 drew to a close and the 6 was put away safely for the winter... In spring of 2014, as Ohio thawed, we noticed the starter dragging and it wasn't the battery or connections. We opted to replace the starter with with one of the smaller gear reduction units. What a difference this made to starting the car...it spun over immediately...
Along with the starter upgrade, we located an old Fiesta alternator...rebuilt of course. In the process of acquiring the alternator, it was overlooked that the 1972 vintage had a mid-year split that affected both the fan belt and alternator harness plug. Fixing the belt was as easy as making another trip to the parts store. To correct the plug mismatch, we ordered a plug kit from Moss. The plug kit arrived quickly and the job was done.
With the electrics upgraded...it was time for better tunes! After a visit to a local electronics retailer, we returned with a modern detachable faceplate receiver, a pair of 3-way units for the front, and a pair of 3-way mini box speakers for the rear. Installation of the radio required removing and modifying the dash support to accept the full rectangular radio rather than just two shafts and a "snout" as originally configured. We hated cutting into the dash support but it could be replaced down the road if the decision was made.
Once the radio was affixed within the support it was installed back in the car. Wiring was relatively simple and required only routing new speaker wires to the rear of the car and the addition of a direct +12V feed from the battery. To mount the new front speakers, by this time, something had to be done with the original kidney panels. We cut new panels from some thin plywood using the original panels as patterns then covered them with black vinyl from a local craft store. While at it, a second set of panels were made for eventual use in our 76 TR6... On one of the panels, the forward mounting hole was a little off so it was a very snug fit. With everything hooked up, it sounded great and even came with a remote. The box speakers for the back worked out great as well..as if they were purpose made. We'll add some pictures of the install after we locate them.
When summer got underway, we made our 2nd pilgrimage to Mid-Ohio for Vintage Days. It was somewhat disappointing in 2014 because they moved the date at the last moment and attendance was low.
Once the radio was affixed within the support it was installed back in the car. Wiring was relatively simple and required only routing new speaker wires to the rear of the car and the addition of a direct +12V feed from the battery. To mount the new front speakers, by this time, something had to be done with the original kidney panels. We cut new panels from some thin plywood using the original panels as patterns then covered them with black vinyl from a local craft store. While at it, a second set of panels were made for eventual use in our 76 TR6... On one of the panels, the forward mounting hole was a little off so it was a very snug fit. With everything hooked up, it sounded great and even came with a remote. The box speakers for the back worked out great as well..as if they were purpose made. We'll add some pictures of the install after we locate them.
When summer got underway, we made our 2nd pilgrimage to Mid-Ohio for Vintage Days. It was somewhat disappointing in 2014 because they moved the date at the last moment and attendance was low.
RSS Feed
