Gt 6 Bliss

A quarter of a century after spotting one, John Heath took the plunge. Was it worth it?

- Ross Alkureishi

Bloomin’ classic car magazines have a lot to answer for: ‘My desire for a GT6 started the moment I saw one featured in Practical Classics back in the Eighties,’ admits John Heath. ‘It was to remain at the back of my mind for the next 21 years.’ 

He finally took the plunge in June 2009 when he saw a 1971 MkIII up on eBay, which he secured with a winning bid of £700. It was advertised as having had a new driver’s side floorpan, inner and outer sill fitted, as well as having a new walnut dashboard and a spare engine. ‘The car was in Wales so I hired a trailer and headed off with my dad, Ernie. The owner and his own dad met me in the hills above Pontypridd, with a shovel!’ The car had resided there untouched for a while and extricating it from the lock-up proved to be tricky, as the weeds had grown up the doors. ‘After a bit of a dig, my dream car was revealed.Well, my heart sank as reality set in; cut up a Herald. what a mess. Never mind I thought, I’ve got what I wanted, something with no secrets. I didn’t want to pay for a pretty car, only to find years of bodges and filler under a recent respray.’ On the journey home Ernie suggested he just sell it on, but after a long and tiring day John decided to leave any decision until the morning.

Cold light of day

It’s amazing what difference a good night’s sleep and a cup of tea can make. ‘When I got started I was soon in my element.’ He reckons that just about every body panel that’s available was needed. ‘I had wanted to chemically strip the body tub but it was far too fragile so I left it in situ, completing all the metalwork using the chassis as a jig.’