It was early on a Friday night in September of 73, it was my "up" ( sales
term for my turn) and in walks what appears to be a boy and very beautiful
girlfriend. They are interested in seeing a TR6. Asking if she can test
drive one, I inquire, can you drive a stick? So off we go for a ride where I
discover that her boyfriend is her younger brother.
After that test ride, we go into my office where I close the deal. The 73
Brown Tr6 in the back lot. The one we stripped for parts, (since British
Leyland parts department was always on backorder) it was our then "parts car".
The next day Karen walks in with her dad to fill out the credit application.
Blah, blah, blah, and sir, what is your annual income? He replys, "just
check the last column" WOW a pretty girl, very hot, good job, an RN and a dad
with money. Do I ask her out now or wait till I close the deal?
I'm not stupid, I waited to close the deal and asked her out the next week
when she came for something. I think it was just an excuse to see the cute
car salesmen again.
Bobs log date 9-26-75 we got married..........the TR6 stayed with us for
about 4 years. We had lots of fun. The last winter we owned it while going
skiing we hit an icy bridge on our route to Vermont. "Hold on I'm losing it!
Two 360's and into the center median just missing a outcropping of rock, we
slammed into a snowbank. The car was pulled out by a tow truck and she
survied without a scratch. Regrettfully, we deceided to sell it.
Bob's log date winter of 1980. Karen is approching a nice round birthday (get
it) and what a better gift then a TR6. Well I scearched and did not like what
I was finding so I put it off. Instead I had a BIG surprise party for her.
She did not want it but hey, we never had a wedding so what the heck! It was
fun.
Bob's log date winter of 1998. With the assistance of the web, I find several
TR's but which one. I had put a deposit on a 73 Brown TR6 Sienna, I found
outside of Hartford Ct. A little pricy but, the right year and color.
A couple of days later I find what appears to be an EXCELLENT car. NO rust
NONE... OK this is the one a 74 (wrong year) blue (wrong color) car. An
excellent candiate for restoration. Very strong engine. Alot of work is
needed.
Keeping the car away from home as long I possible I deceided to sub out some
of the work. First the suspension, then a serious paint job.
Bob's log Febrauary of 1999. I have the TR6 flat bedded on a beautful winter
day. My younger daughter Erin (10) and I get some nice BIG RED ribbon for the
surprise. Now you should know I have a Big mouth and everyone, everyone knew
about this surprise and has kept it a secret for almost six months. Karen is
on her way back from Lake Placid where my 16 year old just finished 13th in
the New York Sate Ski Championships. Stacv will call us when they get to the
Sloatsburg rest stop. That gives Erin and I 10 minutes to get the surprise
ready.
Perfect timing. Cameras are set up, Stacy and Erin are in the garage.
Blindfolded guiding her, we walk into the garage. Now image this, a 74 TR6,
perfect paint job, No bumper, headlights, tailights windscreen, mirrors, door
handles, etc....nothing. The interior, black velour, half missing, no door
panels...I must admit looking VERY bad. In we walk, I remove her
blindfold......
"WHERE DID YOU GET THIS PIECE OF S--T" Wow what a response! Karen is getting
into it now that she almost ready to drive. Although, I am dissapointed as I
thought she'd have the same enthususiam as I and the kids.
I do not know much about cars, but I am learning. And with the help of all
you experts, it is alot easier.
I am 47 and have been married for 25 years. Don't know yet if this is the
only marriage! Two terrific kids, both are ski racers and very much into
sports. We have a Ski Home at Mount Snow in southern Vermont, (Winnie love
to meet you), and live in Suffern, NY.
I am in the Printing Business for about 25 years. Karen got me to quit the
car buiness when the energy / gas shortage in the early 70's hit us. I
specialize in Bar Coded Tags and Pressure Sensitive Labels. My company is
located in Fort Lee, NJ. My plant is in North Carolina.
My life revolves around my family, skiing, golf ( I am addicted, and am a
happy 18 handicap), our TR6, and CARS!!!! They are and have been:
1999 GMC Suburban (Great Truck)
1998 Toyota Camary
1999 BMW M3 Ragtop (WOW)
1996 BMW 740il (Best car on the road)
1996 Infinity I30t
1996 Chevy Surburban (I like the GMC grille better)
1991 Porsche c-4 Targa (I get more looks in the M3)
1994 Pontiac Bonneville
1993 Toyota Previa (all wheel drive, a real dog)
1991 Pontiac Grand Prix
1989 Lincoln Contentinal
1989 BMW 535 (Great car)
1986 Jeep Limited (Piece of garbage, never ran right, went into Lemon law
arribaration. Nothing could be done since I bought car in New Jersey and
live in New York.)
1984 Jeep Cherkoee (Better then the 86, Karen made me sell it because the
spare was on the outside behind the tailgate and with groceries etc, blah,
blah, blah....)
1986 Audi 5000 Turbo.. was nice car until it hit 90K miles
1984 Audi 5000
1984 Isuzu Trooper (First experience with four wheel drive...Fun Truck.)
1984 Buick Century Wagon (piece of garbage)
1979 Buick Regal
1973 Buick Centurin Convertible
1978 Plymouth Horizon
1977 Honda Accord
1976 Buick Regal
1966 Pontiac LeMans
1974 Plymuth Satellite
1973 Triumph Tr6 Sienna
1968 Volkswagen Beetle
1970 Plymuth Barracuda
Well there you have it, a bit long perhaps but alot of people enjoy the
Triumph story and how I met my wife. But there was a thing that came out of
the I did not like, I ENDED PAYING OFF THE CAR LOAN!
Bob Antoville
74 Tr6
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