Bob Wanta wrote:
> Having been a Triumph dealership mechanic when the cars
> were new, (1966-1977), let me assure you that the cars DID have
> an overdrive emblem on the top right rear valance in addition to
> the "O" at the end of their commision number. The emblem was
> held on by the pegs on the TRIUMPH emblem. Take care - Bob
> Wanta, Bob's Foreign Auto, www.iconn.net/bobsauto
> Jim Davis wrote (July 28, 1997 8:49 PM)
> > Rubber bumper TR6's didn't come from the factory with an "overdrive
> > emblem" on the top right rear valance.
Bob,
I don't doubt your credentials in the least, and know
that you run an excellent shop, but I'm pretty sure that
the statement Jim made about RUBBER BUMPER (74.5-76) TR6s
is mostly correct. You are, however, absolutely correct
that the early cars had the overdrive emblem on the top
right rear valence.
I have often seen the "Overdrive" emblem on a TR6,
but always on one of the early cars. In mid-1974, the
"TRIUMPH" emblem was moved from the upper right corner
of the rear valence to the center underside of the rear
bumper. Note, however, that this change did NOT take
place at the same time as the rubber bumpers started,
but a little later. That is, the "Triumph" nameplate
was positioned as follows on the TR6:
'69-73 "plain" bumper, nameplate in upper right
corner of rear valence, w/optional overdrive
'74 early "rubber" bumper, nameplate still in upper
right corner of rear valence, w/optional
overdrive
'74 late - "rubber" bumper, nameplate moved to center
'76 underside of rear bumper, overdrive still
an option on the car, but no longer shown
on any nameplate
I'm pretty sure that the factory didn't use
any additional adornment for the later TR6 cars with
overdrive, but I don't have one, so I can't be sure.
I would say, however, that I, personally, have never
seen a '74.5-'76 TR6 with any emblem mounted in the upper
right corner of the rear valence, unless it was
(incorrectly) put there in a restoration. For all I
know, maybe Triumph did put something there for the
overdrive cars.
Now that we've beaten this to death, if anybody in New
England has a TR6 overdrive just collecting dust, I'd be
happy to give it a good home, keep it in good repair,
regardless of whether the car has an "overdrive" emblem or
not!
--ken
--
Kenneth B. Streeter | EMAIL: streeter@sanders.com
Sanders, PTP2-A001 |
PO Box 868 | Voice: (603) 885-9604
Nashua, NH 03061 | Fax: (603) 885-0631
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