Triumph Tr6, 3d printed large scale

[François]

Hello everyone,  I've finally decided what my next project will be. 

I'll be doing a 1/6 or 1/8 scale of my Triumph Tr6.  The tr6 is a very small car, at 155 inches long by 58 inches wide. So at 1/6 scale, the model would be 25.8 inches x 9.6 inches. At 1/8, it would be 19 3/8 x 7 1/4.  So, scale is TBD.  There is no kit for this car but a 1/18 diecast is available and I do have it.  As with the Hydra,  I'll be 3d modeling the car first by measuring the one I have in the garage (and the diecast when necessary) and 3d printing it. 

Here are my goals for this one.

-fonctional engine (crank, pistons,  camshaft,  rockers...)

-driven rear wheels from engine 

-working steering 

-opening hood, trunk lid and doors 

-working side windows (that will be new for me)

-working soft top

-full leather interior (naturally)

-and probably many other things that I'm not thinking of.

It may seem like a boring project to some of you (especially after the hydra) but this car means a lot to me. I'm not sure how many more years I'll keep it so I want to scale it now while I still have it. And it will always be a reminder of the fun I had driving it. 

So I hope you will be as interested in this new project as you were with the Bentley and Hydra .

Being in my garage,  It's the best reference car l could wish for.

 

[Spex84]

This is going to be awesome!

[Bugatti Fan]

Nice looking motor Francois.  Look forward to following this project. Your TR6 is a great subject !

The Triumph Stag was a nice looking motor too.

 

[DJMar]

Oh, I love this. The TR6 is totally overlooked in the modeling world. Following.

[Big Messer]

and probably many other things that I'm not thinking of.

What about working lights?. You could disguise the batteries into a piece of luggage sitting on the rear...😁

[François]

Yes of course working lights,  l forgot that.  Front and rear plus maybe the flashers. I was looking at car this morning and realized it won't be an easy projet. On the hydra car, aside from the body,  I pretty much invented everything.  It will be quite different with the tr6, I'll have to represent the reality as much as possible.  I should start modeling the frame soon, so expect a few pictures shortly. 

[Big Messer]

On 10/7/2025 at 2:56 PM, François said:

Yes of course working lights,  l forgot that.  Front and rear plus maybe the flashers. I was looking at car this morning and realized it won't be an easy projet. On the hydra car, aside from the body,  I pretty much invented everything.  It will be quite different with the tr6, I'll have to represent the reality as much as possible.  I should start modeling the frame soon, so expect a few pictures shortly. 

Lighted instruments on the dashboard would be relatively easy... Probably a light setup with a motion detector... (dense smoke coming out off from ears)

[François]

Hi all

I'm slowly starting the Tr6 project.  I settled on the 1/6 scale so it will be a large model. First thing I did was to print the frame's 2d drawing I have at the correct scale.  This is an original triumph drawing out of the maintenance manual.  

Here's the 2d paper print at 1/6

And with the 1/12 Hydra next to it for size comparisons.  At 1/6 scale, the tr6 will be close to 26 inches long compared to 25 inches for the 1/12 hydra.  So yeah, the tr6 is a small car, and the hydra a monster. 

It will be quite a challenge to figure out how to print the frame.  

I've started the frame, steel wheel and tire. I still have a lot of work to do on the frame and some on the tire.

I have a friend who owns a antique British car garage, I'll check with him and see if I could borrow some used suspension parts.  It would be alot easier to draw the parts if I have them in my hand rather than measuring directly off the car.

[CrazyCrank]

Wow François 👍🏼

Since I had the opportunity to admire your car up close and even had the pleasure of taking two lovely drives with my hair blowing in the wind, I can't wait to see this new project take shape.

I'm back in France now, but I'll be returning to Montreal in January. I hope to visit you again.

Edited October 22 by CrazyCrank

[Blueprint]

François, we have a few things in common - we're both Quebecers, and we both have a TR6 in the garage! Mine is a '75, mostly stock except for a pair of SU's. Awhile ago I did a deep dive here and elsewhere to see if anyone manufactured a TR6 kit, and the only thing I found was a transkit to be used on a donor TR3 kit. The basics of the TR6 frame date all the way back to the TR2/3, itself evolved into the TR4. The engine is an old Triumph 4 cylinder expanded into a six. But the result is better than the sum of its what-we-have-on-hand parts!

Following with interest!

[Big Messer]

Following the construction. Disclose: I do not know the first thing about 3D but have a question. Does the 3D material have enough mechanical resistance to carry the weight of the car without breaking or bending?. Most interested on the suspension parts (spindles and everything that moves on the front end). I would do the chassis and suspension with brass and lost wax parts.  Because it is going to be a BIG car.

Edited October 22 by Big Messer

[François]

2 hours ago, Blueprint said:

François, we have a few things in common - we're both Quebecers, and we both have a TR6 in the garage! Mine is a '75, mostly stock except for a pair of SU's. Awhile ago I did a deep dive here and elsewhere to see if anyone manufactured a TR6 kit, and the only thing I found was a transkit to be used on a donor TR3 kit. The basics of the TR6 frame date all the way back to the TR2/3, itself evolved into the TR4. The engine is an old Triumph 4 cylinder expanded into a six. But the result is better than the sum of its what-we-have-on-hand parts!

Following with interest!

Blueprint 

Do we know each other? I've had my car for 20 years so have seen many yellow TR6. 

1 hour ago, Big Messer said:

Following the construction. Disclose: I do not know the first thing about 3D but have a question. Does the 3D material have enough mechanical resistance to carry the weight of the car without breaking or bending?. Most interested on the suspension parts (spindles and everything that moves on the front end). I would do the chassis and suspension with brass and lost wax parts.  Because it is going to be a BIG car.

Big Messer 

Have you followed my Hydra build?The 1/6 tr6 will be about the same length as my 1/12 Hydra Coupe so close to the same weight (probably a bit more). The hydra was all printed using a very basic resin and aside for the  crankshaft,  everything is holding up very good. One of the reasons I do these large models is to test the limits of what can be done with 3d printing.  I do admit that the suspension parts would be solicitated if the model was left on it's wheels but, like on the hydra, the tr6 will be on a stand of some sort. This being said,  I'll probably experiment with a resin that has better mecanical properties since I will need it for the crankshaft anyway. 

[rrb124@sbcglobal.net]

Excited to follow this. In the past we would quite a few TR 6's in Little Rock,Arkansas. They are fun to drive and their exhaust sound is fantastic.I wish the 1/24 or 1/25 scale plastic model kit manufacturers would recognize this classic.

[Big Messer]

2 hours ago, François said:

Have you followed my Hydra build?The 1/6 tr6 will be about the same length as my 1/12 Hydra Coupe so close to the same weight (probably a bit more). The hydra was all printed using a very basic resin and aside for the  crankshaft,  everything is holding up very good. One of the reasons I do these large models is to test the limits of what can be done with 3d printing.  I do admit that the suspension parts would be solicited if the model was left on it's wheels but, like on the hydra, the tr6 will be on a stand of some sort. This being said,  I'll probably experiment with a resin that has better mechanical properties since I will need it for the crankshaft anyway. 

Yes I followed and read about the crankshaft, that is why I asked. Thanks.

[Kenmojr]

TR6 is a cool ride...

[Oldmopars]

That Hydra Coupe is awesome, but I have always loved the TR6, so I am very interested in that. I would love to do a TR6 and turn it into an R/C. Not fast, just functional. Please let us know if you decide to make the final files available, free or for sale. I will be interested. 

[François]

I'm slowly (very slowly) progressing with the frame modeling. It's very difficult to measure directly on my car since not much of the frame is visible.  I removed the caliber and disc to better measure the front suspension turret but there's still alot of guess work. I'll be able to ajust the suspension components as I go along so in the end, I don't think it will matter all that much.  

So far

And a real frame 

[Spex84]

Very cool project. When you announced it, my first thought was "how long until this absolute madman disassembles his real car so he can measure everything?" 😄😁 Looks like it's happening!! It's great that you have drawings and some good photo reference to work from, rather than needing to take the entire car apart, haha.

 

[François]

A bit more work was done on the front suspension and everything looks good so far.  And ues Spex84, the madman is disassembling the car, but just a little bit. 

 

[Ace-Garageguy]

Beautiful car, great project.

Always loved the TR6. Worked on and drove them when they were new and still do.

[djmcguire]

18 hours ago, François said:

A bit more work was done on the front suspension and everything looks good so far.  And ues Spex84, the madman is disassembling the car, but just a little bit. 

When you're pulling hubs and rotors off of spindles you're starting to get into it... 😉

[Blueprint]

@François, my car arrived here during the pandemic and I worked on it part time to get everything ready for SAAQ's out-of-province inspection, which it passed on the 2nd try last fall! So it has not really been on the road yet, unless you saw me doing an unplated "shake the cobwebs" in Boucherville 😉 Love the way you're documenting all of this - it's giving me ideas for an article (I contribute to auto hedbo and l'Annuel de l'automobile). And speaking of my TR6, I have to un-store this weekend it for an untimely garage cleaning at the condo building where it hibernates.

Blueprint's hibernating TR6

Edited 22 minutes ago by Blueprint