1970 Triumph GT6+ often subjected to abuse

When Jim Shoger first saw a 1970 Triumph GT6+, it immediately became the apple of his eye. In 1972, the Naperville resident went looking for one to own.

"They were still somewhat new," Shoger said. He figured many in great condition would be readily found. That proved not to be the case.

"They were the poor man's sports cars," said Shoger. A dealer price of around $3,000 made them somewhat affordable. Shoger looked at numerous examples and always found them to be "beat up and abused."

It became apparent many owners didn't have the patience or knowledge to keep the quirky English motors running. As such, many let maintenance suffer, especially with the cantankerous Stromberg carburetors.

After two years of extensive looking, Shoger hit pay dirt. A well-preserved example turned up in Aurora in January 1974.

The previous owner had purchased it new at a dealership in Downers Grove "thinking he would keep it forever," Shoger recalls. But with a wife pregnant with twins, the original owner decided it was the time to let it go.

"He was heartbroken," Shoger said. "I promised I would take good care of it."

Shoger forked over $1,175 for his prize - "a lot of money for a 22-year-old kid," he said.

Shortly after taking over ownership, Shoger embarked on a memorable trip. The year prior to his purchase, Shoger and a Triumph-owning buddy had driven a Triumph Spitfire convertible to Key West, Florida. The young men wanted to complete the same journey, this time in the new ride.

"Two weeks after getting the GT6+, we loaded it up and drove down again," Shoger said. For the next several decades, the GT6+ was driven little but went everywhere with Shoger.

"It was like an old family dog. It always followed me around," he said.

Through several moves around the area, the enthusiast managed to keep the GT6+ stored in a garage or barn. The engine was always kept in running condition. In 2004, Shoger overhauled the suspension and interior.

Phase two of the restoration commenced in February 2014. The body was stripped to bare metal. It was rust free, due to Shoger's meticulous care and no winter driving. A new coat of Pearl White paint went on and the 122-cubic-inch straight six-cylinder engine was rebuilt.

Also, the factory exhaust was replaced with a dual pipe setup for better performance. The odometer showed 25,000 miles at the time of purchase and since then, Shoger has added a scant 9,000 miles.

Sliding behind the wheel is one of the enthusiast's favorite pastimes.

"It's a screaming car to drive," Shoger said. "It's like piloting a small jet - small, compact and very maneuverable."

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