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Triumph TR6 - Spare Tire Cover

Seeing all the beautiful cars at Bronte got me to take a closer look at the mess in my trunk and try to sort it out.

My tire cover seems to sit on the spare tire rather than on the two side beams. My spare is 205/65/15 and if 205/70/15 is the closest to original, I would think the cover should be able to sit on the side rails with my spare. Were the original tires actually thinner?

And, if I were to remove the spare, to test the fit, at the back of the trunk, below and to either side of the gas tank, there are two folded pieces of metal that look as if the side rails might slide under to hold the cover secure. But, my rails have a slight upward lip at the back. Is this all correct, or am I missing something on the fitting?

Oh, and on a '76, how were the tools secured? I understand on earlier models there was a leather strap and it was secured to the left of the spare.
Mati Holland

Mati--The cover's side rails should have thick felt strips on them to make the cover clear the tire and prevent rattling. Is your spare standard BL size? You cover is correct with the raised lip on the rear.

Rick O.
72 TR6
Rick Orthen

Hi Rick!

I replaced my one missing felt strip with two strips of styrofoam insulation tape (couldn't find felt to match). It's nearly the exact same size and provides the same effect. However, with my spare, it still rests a good inch off the surface. Sorry, BL?? The rim is standard triumph and is easily fastened to the floor using the stock hook and butterfly nut. Tire size is a mentioned.

Are you saying that if I can figure this out, the only thing fastening the cover to the car is the single plastic (missing) clip near the trunk latch? Wouldn't the whole thing still bounce (although quietly?)
Mati

Mati--By "BL" I meant is your spare tire the original size (185-series??). Sounds as though you may have a fatter tire in there. I have an original redline in mine with no clearance problem.

Yup, just that flimsy white plastic clip holds the whole arrangement together. Mine broke a long time ago and I've never missed it.

Rick O.
Rick Orthen

Oops, re-read your first post: the 205-series tire is too fat for proper cover fitment. Just live with it, or put a 185-series in there.

Rick O.
Rick Orthen

Hi Rick!

I will stick with what I have, but I'm still a little puzzled. All of the threads on the BBS would suggest modern replacement tires, closest in size to original, would be 205/70/15. Does that mean that the original spare was smaller? OR is 185/70/15 original all the way around?
Mati

Yes, the original tire was 185-series for our cars. I have the original Goodyear redline in my boot and the cover barely clears it (the bottom of the cover has a black donut rubbed on it from the tire). I have modern 205's on the axles though (too cheap to modernize the spare).

Rick O.
Rick Orthen

Mati
Also consider that maybe your spare tyre cover has warped and does not give as much clearance as it use to.
""But, my rails have a slight upward lip at the back. Is this all correct"". The side rails should be straight...they slide under the "clips" on the trunk floor while the front lip of the cover goes under the front trunk pannel. It is help up at an angle so as to get the back lip under the trunk pannel. then the back locks down with the plastic du-hickies. As you saw mine, it is warped and does not lock down even with an origin BL redline.

I just recalled that a Guy came up to my car at British Car Day and said to my wife that redlines where NOT OE to the car. I wish I had been there and not off looking at other Marques.
I have a leather strap for the tool kit. It was not put on to later TR6s so you are probably one of them.

Mati, I have the plastic piece that "snaps" into the metal piece of the trunk body...if that is the one you need it is yours.


Rick C
Rick Crawford

Maybe to clarify things, the 205/65 and 70/15 are closest in radius/diameter to the original tires, but as the 205 denotes, they are wider thus they may not fit under the boot cover.
Ignatius Rigor

Rick,

If he wasn't "from 'roun here," he might have a different frame of reference. I never recall seeing a NA spec TR250 or TR6 that did not have either Goodyear G800(? on the model) redlines or Michelin X redlines. Having said that, in the home market and ROW other than NA, I do not think that they had redlines. Remeber these cars came along just in time for the "Wide Oval" tires and some of the GM muscle cars (mostly Pontiac) came with redline tires. Sort of a "just trying to fit in" type of thing I guess with the TR205 & 6.
SteveP

Thanks Steve. I didn't consider the possiblity that non-NA spec'd TR's wouldn't have the 185 redlines. I always selfishly thought they ALL had them. But I still believe the boot well is for the 185's, redline or not.

Rick O.
Rick Orthen

Thanks guys!

I need to pay closer attention. 205 is wider but 65/70 is the closest to correct diameter!! Got it now!

The lower side rails must have been bent upward by the DPO, and I now undestand how it gets secured at the front. Thanks again.

Rick, Roaster Factory shows the clip coming in three pieces, one of which is attached to the body. I already have them on order.

If anyone has a last guess how the jack was secured on a '76, happy to hear from you. I guess on earlier cars the jack sat under the carpet? Not very tiddy?!
Mati Holland

Just for info, UK cars were originally fitted with 165 tyres.
Ron
R. Algie

I lied. I went and purchased a used Pirelli 185/70/15 for $40CDN and it fits like a glove.

I would image if the car had 165 tires, you wouldn't need the side rails on the cover and you'd have a nice flat appearance to the carpet floor of the trunk. The hump caused by the rails is just odd. 185's must have been an after thought, even though the car was intended for the NA market.
Mati Holland

Ahh Mati, time for a cold one. Another TR mystery solved. Glad it worked out for ya.

Rick O.
Rick Orthen

This thread was discussed between 03/10/2004 and 06/10/2004

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