Our '67 GT6 has been in the family since new. It was raced in the early 1970s before becoming the first car several family members drove on the street. It still has a Mk1 engine, but it is not the original engine. I suspect the gearbox has been swapped as well as the rear end.
I feel early cars should be kept largely original with as many original parts as possible (including matching number engines, gearboxes, etc.) perhaps with the addition of period accessories. Again, this is my preference for early cars... not a statement of what is right or wrong.
I will offer the general comment (also based on my personal feelings) that the GT6 is nose heavy. It is a great cruising car. However, I personally would not feel comfortable on the street with one built for high-speed or super high power output. The more go-fast parts that are on an engine, the less driveable it will be around town. Again... this may not agree with what others think and feel.
In summary, were your car mine, I would keep it as original as possible using the original rebuilt Mk1 engine, gearbox, and rear end. I would paint it the original color. I would do my best to make it look and drive like it did coming off the showroom floor back in '66.
Regardless, enjoy your project. Take your time going through everything. By the time you are done (a couple of years if you are doing all the work yourself) you will know every inch of the car. That creates a different "relationship" with the car than you will get with a modern daily driver.
Doug L.
--Previous Message--
: Opinions needed please: I have a 1966
: GT6. It is a New Mexico car with no
: rust, and it is very straight. A Mk II
: engine is fitted, but I also have the
: original motor. Nothing else has been
: done to the car. I am considering three
: options: return the car to its original
: state, keep the new motor and update it
: for speed and safety, or let loose and
: make it dangerously fast. I have never
: driven the car. I bought it 5 years ago
: and am finally getting started on it.
: Input is very much appreciated. If I
: keep it as original, is it a reasonable
: hope that I can make it reliable and
: not leaky? Thanks!
:
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