THE ART OF COMPROMISE

The automotive world is often dictated by compromise. Performance is at the expense of fuel, practicality traded for looks, comfort for agility. Fortunately, bright ideas occasionally come along to break these rules, making classics in the process. Both these cars are examples of this anarchic breed, though each choosing to rebel in their own way. Both are small, relatively inexpensive cars with mechanical features normally expected of a class or two above. One has a V4 engine with front-wheel drive while the other uses a straight six and rear-wheel drive. You can tell from their characteristic designs which one is which. Two different approaches and two different results, both costing between £10,000 and £25,000 in today’s money, so which do you go for?

Triumph GT6

The Triumph gets off to a strong start right from the off. It can boast more cylinders and generally more power, with less weight, too. The overhead valve