For sale by auction on Saturday 24thNovember 2012 with Historics at Brooklands, Brooklands Motor Racing Circuit, Weybridge, Surrey.

Triumph ran three racing Spitfires during the 1964 and 1965 Le Mans 24 Hours race. Due to new homologation regulations that would outlaw these lightweight Spitfires, Triumph withdrew from racing in late 1965. However, Triumph considered entering a prototype GT6 for the 1966 event. This prototype was to be called the GT6R and was to run a six cylinder engine with triple carburettors. 175 bhp was confidently expected that would give an estimated top speed of 160 mph but in early 1966 the competitions programme at Triumph was run down and the project was abandoned. Fast forward to 1989 and Graham Pearce wanted to reproduce a lightweight car in the spirit of the racing Spitfires and the GT6R of the 1960's. The concept was to produce a strong, semi monocoque moulded body tub with an integral steel frame for strength and bonnet that would easily replace the existing body and bonnets of the Triumph Spitfire and GT6. In doing so, T6 Panel Craft was born and to date 20 cars have been produced.

We are proud to offer the original T6 Panel Craft development car which has had ongoing development since its inception and has a fabulous specification. Its registration number reflects that of the period racing Spitfires who wore the ADU 1B, ADU 2B, ADU 3B, and ADU 4B number plates. The car is fitted with a 195 bhp, recently built, Racetorations 2.5 litre straight six Triumph engine with Le Mans oil filter, a Type 9 close ratio five speed gearbox and a Gripper limited slip differential. Fuel is delivered via an electric pump feeding the triple 40 DCOE Weber carburettors. Exhaust extraction is by means of a Jigsaw Racing tubular extractor manifold through a full stainless steel system. The ignition is a 123 system and an aluminium radiator and oil cooler provide the cooling. Stopping power is supplied by Lockheed four pot callipers and ventilated discs at the front with GT6 drums at the rear. The front suspension has the Lotus trunnionless system with aluminium hubs. At the rear, aluminium wishbones and a Canley Classics Rotoflex conversion keep things tight. Gaz adjustable shock absorbers are fitted on all four corners. The interior is fitted with an FIA roll cage and four point harnesses with an aluminium racing seat and modified leather GT6 passenger seat (a similar 3rd seat is available). The instrument panel has several gauges to keep the driver well informed; the odometer is satellite guided for accuracy with a facility for 0 to 60 and ¼ mile timing. An aluminium period replica fuel tank sits behind the seats and is fed via a large quick Le Mans style fuel filler.

We are informed that ADU 5A is welcomed into the Top Hat racing series and may be eligible for other series also. UK registered as a 1967 Triumph GT Le Mans, this car evokes the spirit of the 1960's Triumph racing cars. It attended the Le Mans Classic in 2008 and 2010 and the roof has been signed by one of the 1965 works Spitfire drivers, Claude Debois. On the road and ready to use immediately; what a fabulous tribute to a period sadly long gone.

http://www.historics.co.uk/buying/auctions/2012-11-24/car/triumph-gt-le-mans.aspx