Triumph Dolomite Sprint: Spotted
Need a new Dolly in your life for 2018? Do we have the Sprint for you!
The old 'Dolly Sprint' then, according to our 21st June 1973 copy of Autocar, the Dolomite Sprint was born out of the demands of Lord Stokes and George Turnbull who wanted their engineers to give the Toledo some competition potential (my mum had a Toledo, but never drove it - long story). The prototype four-valve per cylinder engine provided plenty of top end performance at the expense of torque. So they made the engine bigger to compensate for this.
This particular example was restored five years ago according to the advert, although the seller is honest enough to mention a few blemishes that have occurred since. Even going so far as to mention that the Webasto sunroof "only ever leaks in torrential rain". It is a BL product after all, where the BL Passport to Service isn't a guide of how far you've travelled, rather, how much time your car has spent away from you in the garage.
And it seems a shame not to use this handsome classic; after all, it isn't your usual ponderous 1970s British saloon, and this one being a 1975 model is fitted with overdrive to make motorway work less of a chore. Just remember to take some photos of it to prove that you've owned one.
SPECIFICATION - TRIUMPH DOLOMITE SPRINT
Engine: 1,998cc, 4-cyl
Transmission: 4-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 130@5,700rpm
Torque (lb ft): 122@4,500rpm
MPG: 24
CO2: A few, and many unburnt hydrocarbons
First registered: 1975
Recorded mileage: 58,000
Price new: £1,740
Yours for: £7,000
See the original advert here.
Max Adams
Became very glad of Triumphs' decision to front hinge the bonnet when after years of mistreatment the engine spectacularly let go on the M25 .... it vaguely lives on.... it's donated instruments are in my mini :-)
I own a couple of Triumphs & expected it to be a good car, but I am blown away at how it combines a very comfortable ride, with such great handling. It is quite quick too, considering what it is.
I would have been looking for one for myself, if it didn't look to be a real chore to fit air conditioning nicely. I really am a bit too old to handle north Australia's summer with out air in my cars.
Sold it to fund an 18/30s trip to Benidorm but I still remember the Dolly rides with more fondness than the Benidorm ones...
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff