Friday 19th December 2008

SOTW: Triumph Dolomite

From when Triumphs were cars not bras...

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Here at Shed we’ve spent months looking for a Dolomite Sprint to feature. And we’re still looking. We have however found this 1500HL that is possibly the next best thing.

That’s right, this is a lookalike, old school style. Before we go any further let’s just get it over with. Del Boy would think the interior is a bit over the top.

Tiger print seats with Tahiti Blue paint is always a risky combination, and even with black fluffy dice thrown into the mix, we’re not convinced that it has worked. And is that a fur handbrake cover too? Yes it is, now let’s move on.

The Dolomite was launched in 1972 and the 1500HL was the mainstay of the range. The 1500HL naturally had better trim levels than the 1300 base model and used the same twin headlamp styling as the 16V Sprint model.

It was fitted with a 1,493cc engine that provided a sedate top speed of 91mph and 0-60mph in 14.2 seconds, which in its day was distinctly average. The good news is the Dolomite was rear-wheel drive, although we can’t see you winning many drifting championships in this beauty.

That aside it should be a fun steer and you are sure to get noticed for hopefully the right reasons. This Dolomite is a ’78 model and it has been subjected to a ‘light’ restoration and a full respray.

It has been fitted with Sprint badges and alloys, although thankfully the original badges are available. Don’t buy the car if you are a fan of overdrive, as it has stopped working, and it’s best not to carry five pence pieces around with you.

Apart from all that it is in good nick and will set you back just £750. That is unless Trotter has got there first…

Ad reads: '1978 Triumph Dolomite 1500HL Tahiti Blue. MOT March 2009, Taxed until May 2009, 78,000 miles. Car was subject to a light restoration in July which included a full respray. Vinyl Roof & Sprint Alloys plus Sprint badges. 1500HL badges available with car. New radiatior, electronic ignition, Goodridge braided brake hoses, Stainless exhaust, New Chrome Wing Mirrors, Recent Oil & Filter Change.

'The seat covers are only fitted as the drivers seat is worn but a good replacement comes with the car along with 3 very good doors plus some other spares. The car is fitted with overdrive but this has stopped working, oil level & switch are ok so assume its the solenoid. New sills were fitted 2 years ago & the car was Ziebarted from new and the underside reflects this. Only problem area is a hole the size of a 5p in passenger floor. Carbs have just been balanced properly also. Previous owner had a new engine fitted 20,000 miles ago by a reputable Triumph specialist. Ideal everyday driver. Very Presentable. £750.'

[mrloudly]

"1500HL the next best thing"

Not in the same league as the Sprint. Probably uses fewer head gaskets as well ;-)

[Caruso]

Surely the 1850 would be the next best thing to the Sprint?

[E30M3SE]

said:

The seat covers are only fitted as the drivers seat is worn

...and what lovely seat covetrs they are.

[Garlick]

mrloudly said:

"1500HL the next best thing"

Not in the same league as the Sprint. Probably uses fewer head gaskets as well ;-)

He did say possibly

I really like this car for some reason?

[Paperboy]

my eyes MY EYES!!!!!!!

Scarred for life now. This should have been sacrificed long ago.

[anonymous-user]

When I was a kid my dad had one of these in a lovely shade of dark green, I remember thinking at the time it looked really sporty and cool, then he changed it for an Austin Princess, which looked like a wedge of cheese and was not cool.

[Benny Saltstein]

My grandad had one of those. RIP. I can still smell the combination of vinyl interior and years of pipesmoking.

[Bogracer]

Crush it horrible, my eyes are bleeding!

[Turbobanana]

Really good cars , in their day. OD problem will just be wiring. Shame some wildlife had to die for the seat covers though...

[RSBear]

Different...

lol

[Fire99]

Two of my family had Dolomites.. Lovely looking things.
Would really like to restore a Sprint one day..

[MrMoonyMan]

Nice way to get into RWD motoring methinks...


Possibly not this one though.

[mrloudly]

Sprint was my first car back in the late seventies.
Twin SU's that always needed tuning a 16 valve
aluminium head that was very prone to warp. Huge fun for
its age. Pretty solid too, rear arches always went first. Would
love a good Sprint now, reckon it'd hold its own with modern traffic.

Andy

[plasticpig]

Nice shed. Dosent look like too much work to remove the interior additions. Pity its not an 1850 or a Sprint. Always wanted a Sprint in Momosa Yellow with the the triumph laurel on the bonnet.

[carsnapper]

i feel sick

[vourin]

Bogracer said:

Crush it horrible, my eyes are bleeding!

They have probably tried several times, even tanks are envious of these things!!

They are solid and go sideways quite nicely. Enough room to work on the engine and no electronic chips to say no.

I am tempted to get another.

[morgrp]

I love it - shame its not an 1850 though - mind you, you could probably drop a modern engine of some description in it and you'd have a seriosuly cool retro ride - on the plus side the 1500 is the same engine as the one they shoved in the midget so tuning parts are available

[NiallOswald]

One of these (along with a slowly-driven Impreza) was about the only thing I managed to beat in my first attempt at Autosolo this summer.

Thought it might be the same car, but apparently not: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nialloswald/273325953... (check out the rust on that )

[Morningside]

Sprint....I hunted high and low for one of them....'Cos I wanted to rip the engine out for my TR7.

[ginV8]

Had two Sprints which were great. I wouldnt be here now if not for one, as after a 90+ mph run I came off the road went through a hedge and went head on into a solid ditch wall but the car only deformed the bonnet and front wings and I was uninjured thankfully. Never had any engine trouble at all and they were much better than the bland RS2000 with crappy cast iron Pinto lumps. Did several trips to Monte Carlo 4 up too.
H