RE: Triumph Dolomite Sprint: Spotted
Discussion
StephenGalley said:
To the people saying British cars are "crap", was the E type "crap"?, Rolls Royces? Mini? We are perfectly capable of building some great cars.
You're right - the E type was a good car - when it was launched, 58 years ago. It was a tubby shadow of itself when it stopped production 43 years ago, after the manufacturer had been saved by nationalisation - after most of the E's production life was within the various incarnations of BL.Rolls Royce - Well, R-R did go somewhat bankrupt 46 years ago, resulting in the aero company and the car company parting company. After being saved by nationalisation, they limped along for a few years, then were merely a division of a publicly-listed aerospace/arms firm - who no longer exist independently. 20 years ago, the company was bought by VW, while the rights to use the name on cars were bought separately by BMW.
Mini - again, a world-changer when it was launched - 59 years ago... By the time it died, 18 years ago after 13 years of nationalisation, six years of being a division of a different publicly-listed aerospace/arms firm, then six years of BMW ownership, it was an anachronism.
But that apart, when was the last time a British-owned car manufacturer developed and launched a globally-successful vehicle, let alone a truly innovative one?
TooMany2cvs said:
You're right - the E type was a good car - when it was launched, 58 years ago. It was a tubby shadow of itself when it stopped production 43 years ago, after the manufacturer had been saved by nationalisation - after most of the E's production life was within the various incarnations of BL.
Rolls Royce - Well, R-R did go somewhat bankrupt 46 years ago, resulting in the aero company and the car company parting company. After being saved by nationalisation, they limped along for a few years, then were merely a division of a publicly-listed aerospace/arms firm - who no longer exist independently. 20 years ago, the company was bought by VW, while the rights to use the name on cars were bought separately by BMW.
Mini - again, a world-changer when it was launched - 59 years ago... By the time it died, 18 years ago after 13 years of nationalisation, six years of being a division of a different publicly-listed aerospace/arms firm, then six years of BMW ownership, it was an anachronism.
But that apart, when was the last time a British-owned car manufacturer developed and launched a globally-successful vehicle, let alone a truly innovative one?
Why are you ruining a perfectly pleasant thread about Dolly Sprint's with your bile and hatred of the long since deceased British car industry?Rolls Royce - Well, R-R did go somewhat bankrupt 46 years ago, resulting in the aero company and the car company parting company. After being saved by nationalisation, they limped along for a few years, then were merely a division of a publicly-listed aerospace/arms firm - who no longer exist independently. 20 years ago, the company was bought by VW, while the rights to use the name on cars were bought separately by BMW.
Mini - again, a world-changer when it was launched - 59 years ago... By the time it died, 18 years ago after 13 years of nationalisation, six years of being a division of a different publicly-listed aerospace/arms firm, then six years of BMW ownership, it was an anachronism.
But that apart, when was the last time a British-owned car manufacturer developed and launched a globally-successful vehicle, let alone a truly innovative one?
nigelpugh7 said:
That’s great, yes that was the era, and I still live in the same area, Solihull West Midlands.
Would,love to see some more photos of the car and hear about it’s adventures, we certainly shared many together.
As regards to the engine, I spent a lot of time working on it to get the best level of tune out of it.
I spent ages working on the pallet shims to get the tapper clearance correct, and fitted a new Piper fast road cam too.
We also spent a lot of time tuning the SU carbs, and needed up with a totally different set if needles and jets, which made the car run leaner, but also rev more.
On the handling front, I fitted Koni track shock absorbers, and a stainless steel Rimmer large bore exhaust system.
It was a pretty well sorted car, the only reason I sold it was it needed the body work sorting, when I sold it I had not long fitted new sills which I brazed on but never painted.
It should still have had the digital computer for Mpg and range fitted to it too.
Let me see if I can find the pictures of our trips to the Lombard RAC rally in wales.
Hi Nigel - rather than take the thread off at a tangent, Ive sent my friend your email and we can pick up the reminiscing from there! He's got a fair few photos and can fill you in on what happened to it. If you check your email now should see something - cheers.Would,love to see some more photos of the car and hear about it’s adventures, we certainly shared many together.
As regards to the engine, I spent a lot of time working on it to get the best level of tune out of it.
I spent ages working on the pallet shims to get the tapper clearance correct, and fitted a new Piper fast road cam too.
We also spent a lot of time tuning the SU carbs, and needed up with a totally different set if needles and jets, which made the car run leaner, but also rev more.
On the handling front, I fitted Koni track shock absorbers, and a stainless steel Rimmer large bore exhaust system.
It was a pretty well sorted car, the only reason I sold it was it needed the body work sorting, when I sold it I had not long fitted new sills which I brazed on but never painted.
It should still have had the digital computer for Mpg and range fitted to it too.
Let me see if I can find the pictures of our trips to the Lombard RAC rally in wales.
The engine stuff does make sense now - we wondered how it was pacing a 145bhp GpA 205 rather easily
s m said:
Hi Nigel - rather than take the thread off at a tangent, Ive sent my friend your email and we can pick up the reminiscing from there! He's got a fair few photos and can fill you in on what happened to it. If you check your email now should see something - cheers.
The engine stuff does make sense now - we wondered how it was pacing a 145bhp GpA 205 rather easily
Thanks , that’s a great idea.The engine stuff does make sense now - we wondered how it was pacing a 145bhp GpA 205 rather easily
Sorry for the slight off tangent to the thread everyone else!
Carry on as you were!
rallycross said:
TooMany2cvs said:
You're right - the E type was a good car - when it was launched, 58 years ago. It was a tubby shadow of itself when it stopped production 43 years ago, after the manufacturer had been saved by nationalisation - after most of the E's production life was within the various incarnations of BL.
Rolls Royce - Well, R-R did go somewhat bankrupt 46 years ago, resulting in the aero company and the car company parting company. After being saved by nationalisation, they limped along for a few years, then were merely a division of a publicly-listed aerospace/arms firm - who no longer exist independently. 20 years ago, the company was bought by VW, while the rights to use the name on cars were bought separately by BMW.
Mini - again, a world-changer when it was launched - 59 years ago... By the time it died, 18 years ago after 13 years of nationalisation, six years of being a division of a different publicly-listed aerospace/arms firm, then six years of BMW ownership, it was an anachronism.
But that apart, when was the last time a British-owned car manufacturer developed and launched a globally-successful vehicle, let alone a truly innovative one?
Why are you ruining a perfectly pleasant thread about Dolly Sprint's with your bile and hatred of the long since deceased British car industry?Rolls Royce - Well, R-R did go somewhat bankrupt 46 years ago, resulting in the aero company and the car company parting company. After being saved by nationalisation, they limped along for a few years, then were merely a division of a publicly-listed aerospace/arms firm - who no longer exist independently. 20 years ago, the company was bought by VW, while the rights to use the name on cars were bought separately by BMW.
Mini - again, a world-changer when it was launched - 59 years ago... By the time it died, 18 years ago after 13 years of nationalisation, six years of being a division of a different publicly-listed aerospace/arms firm, then six years of BMW ownership, it was an anachronism.
But that apart, when was the last time a British-owned car manufacturer developed and launched a globally-successful vehicle, let alone a truly innovative one?
s m said:
Hi Nigel - rather than take the thread off at a tangent, Ive sent my friend your email and we can pick up the reminiscing from there! He's got a fair few photos and can fill you in on what happened to it. If you check your email now should see something - cheers.
The engine stuff does make sense now - we wondered how it was pacing a 145bhp GpA 205 rather easily
Thanks , that’s a great idea.The engine stuff does make sense now - we wondered how it was pacing a 145bhp GpA 205 rather easily
Sorry for the slight off tangent to the thread everyone else!
Carry on as you were!
I had a 1500TC (basically a 1500 Dolomite with twin SU carbs) as my first car.
I found a local guy who had wrecked a Sprint and bought the front AR bar and grilles off him, so mine looked much like a Sprint, except for the wheels, without the poke (probably good for about 90 max!).
Later on I bought a rear AR bar, but that upset the car, because the tyres couldn't handle the extra demands put on them by the flatter attitude and it got much more tail happy (not a good thing).
I still have a real affection for all the Triumphs of this era - They were all nicely made and had a great brand identity, from the Toledo/Spitfire right up to the Stag/2500PI.
I recall, too, the aged (by then) Sprint still being a bit of a weapon in the BTCC into the early '80s!
It always amazes me how huge modern cars are and yet they have hardly any more usable space inside! I know they're safer when you have an accident, but it still seems that designers/engineers really ignore packaging these days (in most cases, anyway).
M
I found a local guy who had wrecked a Sprint and bought the front AR bar and grilles off him, so mine looked much like a Sprint, except for the wheels, without the poke (probably good for about 90 max!).
Later on I bought a rear AR bar, but that upset the car, because the tyres couldn't handle the extra demands put on them by the flatter attitude and it got much more tail happy (not a good thing).
I still have a real affection for all the Triumphs of this era - They were all nicely made and had a great brand identity, from the Toledo/Spitfire right up to the Stag/2500PI.
I recall, too, the aged (by then) Sprint still being a bit of a weapon in the BTCC into the early '80s!
It always amazes me how huge modern cars are and yet they have hardly any more usable space inside! I know they're safer when you have an accident, but it still seems that designers/engineers really ignore packaging these days (in most cases, anyway).
M
s m said:
Is your email working stil chap?
Just got an undeliverable notice so not sure if you got the last one?
Yes I got the previous email thanks. But I ran out of storage today, so just increased it now.Just got an undeliverable notice so not sure if you got the last one?
Should be good if you re trying to send me some other pictures.
Thanks again for all the previous ones too!
s m said:
Yeah, maybe.....I was thinking of this ad in particular I suppose 
I remember the old 323i as being barely quicker but it was a fair bit heavier
I owned a Sprint, a 320i and a 323i. The 3231 was the fastest but hampered by its 4 speed gearbox. The 320i was the slowest. The Sprint was the least likely to kill you on a bendy road...I remember the old 323i as being barely quicker but it was a fair bit heavier
But the 323i sounded the best!
matchmaker said:
s m said:
Yeah, maybe.....I was thinking of this ad in particular I suppose
I remember the old 323i as being barely quicker but it was a fair bit heavier
I owned a Sprint, a 320i and a 323i. The 3231 was the fastest but hampered by its 4 speed gearbox. The 320i was the slowest. The Sprint was the least likely to kill you on a bendy road...I remember the old 323i as being barely quicker but it was a fair bit heavier
But the 323i sounded the best!
s m said:
Is your email working stil chap?
Just got an undeliverable notice so not sure if you got the last one?
Yes I got the previous email thanks. But I ran out of storage today, so just increased it now.Just got an undeliverable notice so not sure if you got the last one?
Should be good if you re trying to send me some other pictures.
Thanks again for all the previous ones too!
TooMany2cvs said:
can't remember said:
I have to admit that I love Triumphs if this ere. The Dolly Sprint, the 2500s , and the Stag (if properly serviced) were really good cars. Chuck in the bargain bucket Toledo and the GT6/Spitfire and you had a really good line-up.
Well done BL/Rover for killing Triumph.
You say that, but don't forget that Leyland bought Standard-Triumph from the brink of bankruptcy in 1960, two years before the Spitfire was launched, three before the 2000, and five before the 1300 which developed into the Dolly/Toledo - so all the Triumphs you name simply wouldn't have existed at all without "BL".Well done BL/Rover for killing Triumph.
In all seriousness the only Triumph that was BL inspired/managed was the Accord... er I mean the Acclaim. Rover inspired politics within BL killed Triumph. With hindsight this was a huge mistake.
Edited by can't remember on Saturday 13th January 13:24
s m said:
Yeah, they did sound nice. T-reg 323i only had a 4-speeder but I had a later W-reg with a 5-speeder.
Same here! The T plate one had the LSD that I robbed when it died, and fitted it to the W plater that was 5 speed with Recaro seats and Bilstein dampers. Both were Polaris silver, cheap and rusting. The 4 cylinder 320i wasn't a bad thing. Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff