IDRIVEACLASSIC reviews: Triumph Dolomite Sprint
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- čas přidán 4. 09. 2021
- Today's video is on the fantastic, range leader for Triumph; the Triumph Dolomite Sprint
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We’ve tried out the 1300 front wheel drive, the 1500 and the Toledo so it meant we just had to try out a Dolomite and when I got offered one of the oldest Dolomite Sprints in existence, it just had to happen.
The Dolomite was made from 1972 to late summer of 1980 and over 200,000 were made in total. Again, it was a Michelotti for Triumph design, so looks very similar to the cars which went before it.
The Dolomite really came about after thoughtful consideration to where the 1300 and 1500 had lacked and is a pleasing car. Unlike the 1300 fwd, the Dolomite is RWD and moves on from simply replacing the Herald or being a good upgrade to a decent car in its own right.
It does however borrow from other models and has that facelifted 1500 body shell and a lot of the running gear off the Toledo, but actually packs far more into the car in the way of controls and extras - which we’ll discuss later.
The Dolomite, not Dolomite Sprint uses the 1854cc engine, which is a big step up from the 1500 used as the biggest engine option in the Toledo and went up against cars like the BMW 2002 and as standard, came with a lot of interesting kit including the twin headlamps, the battery powered clock, the luxury seats which are 3 to 4 inches wider than the predecessors and stuff we take for granted nowadays like cigar lighter and heated screen.
Now this standard 1854cc engine was giving results of a top speed of over 100mph and zero to 60 in less than 12 seconds but Triumph wanted to take it further to really flush out the competition and give buyers a car with wow appeal.
And with that, the Dolomite Sprint came to market.
The Sprint was simply an upgrade, it came with real movement in terms of tech. It was the regular production British car to use the 16 valve cylinder head and the engine was taken up to 1998cc with optional overdrive and a Stag style gearbox.
In short, it took it miles away from its 1300 FWD roots. This was a car which delivered, in an era where many cars were falling woefully short.
The top speed was now a respectable 112mph with 0 to 60 in under 9 seconds. Cost was around an extra £400 and the stiffened suspension, which I do actually criticise quite a lot on test, was a new addition alongside expensive looking alloy wheels and a very fashionable vinyl roof.
I should also probably mention that tinted glass, a feature only used on the Dolomite Sprint.
The strangest thing about these Dolomite Sprints and Dolomites is that everyone knows what they are, they are instantly recognisable yet less than 22 thousand were made of the Sprint and less than 80 thousand were made of the Dolomite 1850.
The Dolomite Sprint was also one of the last Triumphs to be built at Canley alongside the Spitfire and deserved far greater sales numbers than it achieved, because as you’ll see on the test and look around today, the Sprint is a car which deserves all the praise. But first, lets speak to Mark, who has owned this car for an awfully long time. - Auta a dopravní prostředky
This was easily the best looking compact saloon from anywhere in the 70's.
Agreed.
If I could find a rotten one I'd do a full restore and do a Tesla small motor in the rear swap, home brew battery pack and a few other bits... but keep it looking as standard as possible on the out side :):)
stag for me
@@dazspurs9899 : Or as Jeremy Clarkson calls it, the Staaaaaaaag.
@@kylereese4822 If yopu can, go for it and would love to see the result on youtube.
Only recently learned about the Dolomite (I live in the US), but I absolutely can not get over the lines of the car. There is still something about the clean lines and the standard 3 box design which still looks sharp today!
try driving one you will love it. sure handles comfortable and quick.
It’s criminal these cars didn’t get to develop through the next few decades, imagine having a Triumph today that could rival Audi and BMW, a Triumph version of the M3. The Spring and the Stag should have been world beaters.
Don't even get me started about the british car industry; we really shot ourselves in the foot courtesy of lazy workers, unionised sloppy quality control, apathy, very little government support and unimaginative management. Ii'm very very Rule Brittania about my metalwork and would have a Trumph Daytona 600, Jaguar XJR Supercharged and a Rover 3.5 Coupe as my personal stable.
Some actually say that the uk car industry at that time was sabotaged! I was only a kid in the 1970s. So, can’t really expand on that! But, my dad actually owned one of these in this yellow! Went like the wind! Anyway, he was convinced with this theory! Said Red Robbo was specifically sent in to carry out this exercise!
@@Spica1000 many a true word spoken in jest,you could be right sabotage,my grandad had one of these,please fasten your seatbelts
Ironically, if the Triumph brand still existed today, it would most likely be under the ownership of the Germans or Chinese.
Love the way Dollys always look like they're seriously moving, even when parked.
...so beautifully appointed inside too..very comfortable...
I had two of these in the eighties. One of the best cars I have owned would love to have another when I win the lottery. Well done Steph.
I had five! One was my first car at 17, LGL 396P bless its little head gasket. Gave away loads of parts when I moved jobs/home including a mint 22k miles engine & gearbox and genuine Triumph/BL workshop manuals. Kick myself now when I look at prices...
Oh that's a thing of beauty. Love a Triumph anyway but the colour really sets this off, wow 😍
Stunnng Sprint in a fantastic colour! It is such a shame that the Triumph marque never survived.
Triumph Motorcycles still exists.
@@peterjf7723 Different company.
@@johndrake2729 Ah, I was confused by them both being called Triumph.
I checked and they were the same company until 1939 when they split.
The Triumph marque for cars is currently owned by BMW.
Ironically BMW owns the rights to Triumph cars....
@@paullacey2999 Interestingly Triumph was founded in the UK in the 1880s by a German immigrant, Siegfried Bettmann.
The Triumph Dolomite was one of my dream cars way back when. I still love the look of them, they still look attractive today!
My yellow 1978 model was lowered with Pirelli P9's and twin Webber DCOE carbs.Good for 135mph.I loved it.
Would have been interesting to see these develop over the years like the 1502 changed into the modern 3 series.
Same same!
Total blast from the past…my old man had one of these in white 16v with black vinyl roof manual overdrive gearbox plus those icon alloys back in the day..awe the memories 👏
Best looking saloon of its time. I have always been a Triumph fanatic and this is one of their best.
Great video, my Mum had one in the same colour in the 70's and she loved driving it as it had great visibility all round. My Dad used to drive it 'enthusiastically' and put a couple of concrete flagstones in the boot during the winter to improve traction.
Beautiful cars. My Mums first car was a 1850HL, absolutely loved that car. JCH957N.
She bought it for £1 from my Grandad in 1976 when he bought a Triumph 2500 S, now that really was a special car
One of the best sporting saloons of the 70s, and definitely the template for BMW 3 series! It was also the first British production car to be fitted with standard alloy wheels. Engine made its way into the SAAB 900. A very smart looking classic car………..
The engine in its 8V form found its way into the Saab 99, Saab developed it further then used it in the 900.
@@cambridgemart2075 it was actually used in a saab before triumph in 1701cc form.
@@amigachris I hadn't realised that, rather interesting fact!
Great to see another video and we'll done featuring The Dolomite, hope you enjoyed driving Steph !
I love driving my 1850, but always working on it !
I had an M reg Sprint in the 80s. It went like a rocket but I had constant trouble with the water pump leaking. Apart from that I loved it.
Love the retro Radiomobile speakers, lovely car.
My first car after passing my test in 2003 was a tatty old Sprint, I dearly loved that car! FRW 180T
I passed my test in 2003 and first car was a Toledo!
My dad had his own car repair business when I was a boy. The customer courtesy car was a Dolly 1300. Oh how I coveted that car! I was gutted when he sold it before I was old enough to drive. While all my friends were getting themselves a mk2 Fiesta, or a Nova, I really wanted that Dolomite.
Ahh you had good taste ❤️
@@idriveaclassic Well I like to think so. I did get a 1970 Fiat 500 as my first car. I currently have a 1991 Micra K10 as my daily driver. It is EXACTLY like the white Micra Premium you drove a while back.
70s Chic .......love the twin headlamps on cars of that era , ....nice example.
Good to see you again. Loved this vid. Had a 76 Toledo, always wanted one of these. Professionals!
In 1984 I had the pleasure of passing my driving test in my Dad's Triumph Dolomite 1500HL after failing three times in the driving instructor's 1.1L Escort.
I look back and think the Dolomite was the most pleasing car I have ever driven.
What a lovely Dolly Sprint . These were fast cars in their day. One of the nicest cars of its time.
A very handsome design and looks particularly good in that colour & wheel design combination
About time Steph lol a great review of a real classic,went to my wedding in my Dolly Sprint in 1981 a true classic.
We have to show all sorts you know 😉
Great one Steph! Lovely to see you, I’ve had withdrawal symptoms! Hope you’re all good 🙂
Good but super busy! Xx
Beautiful car , Around 61 TR7 sprints where made but it is a very finicky engine, a pain in the rear to be honest and that's putting it mildly but yet I do love the Dolomite Sprints 🙂👍 best colour 👌
Oh lordy, you have no idea.
Back in the 80's I bought a TR7 Sprint, purely because of the engine.
I was also in the process of properly restoring a TR7 convertible and I planned to put the sprint engine in it but, after using the Sprint as a daily-driver for about 6 months, I ended-up fitting a FIAT/Lancia twin-cam into the convertible instead.
Back-to-back, the Lancia engine was streets ahead of the Sprint engine; much more reliable, less rattly, less prone to overheating and oil leaks, much better parts-availability and much, much (much) better performance.
On paper, I seem to recall that both engines had similar performance but, on the road, the longer stroke of the Lancia engine meant that it had more torque and you could, basically, drive everywhere in a higher gear than in the Sprint, where the Sprint always had to be thrashed to get it moving.
In the end, I tidied up the TR7 Sprint and sold it for enough money to pay for itself AND cover the cost of doing the engine-swap on the convertible.
Not much history on the TR7 sprints apparently cancelled in 77 because the FIA band multi-valve heads the 76 us emissions legislation and where there is some evidence canceled in favour of the TR8 none were ever sold as a catalogue car out of the 61 produced
Another cracking video - good to see you back on youTube👍
I used to really enjoy driving my parent's 1500HL and found that 3rdo/d was perfect for town use. Using 4th would make the engine pink and judder like crazy. Always wanted to get my hands on one of the larger engined variants. Still a very attractive looking vehicle in my opinion.
Fantastic! I’d love one in Magenta
Loved the Magenta, I had a Stag in that colour ...
I always loved the look of the Dolomite. Dad drove a MK1 Escort but these looked far smarter.
I've only just found this site,and I have to tell you that you are fabulous
at your reviews on classic cars.
Top gear could do with you. Passionate. Knowledge. Etc and at the end a fair summary.
Keep doing these and I hope you get spotted for your talent.
Owned a blue 1973 1850 Triumph Dolmite when I was 19 years old.
Happy memories .
The Two Ronnies."The 1000th car rolled off the British Leyland production line this week and fell onto the other 999".Always liked the Dolomite sprint.
Glad to see Steph back once again! Another interesting car, another enjoyable drive! Cheers! :)
Thank you x
"I'm sure when it was brand new it was absolutely fine" - not a comment people usually associate with 70s BL products! But beautiful car Steph, and what a great colour! Thanks for making this.
One of my favourite cars from the seventies, I never knew they made so few of them. I was pleasantly surprised when Rowan Atkinson drove one in the third Johnny English film.
Rowan is a car man to be fair. Wonder if he had a hand in it.
@@idriveaclassic I'm sure he had.
Love these, when I was a nipper a few of the local lads had these, black, green and white ones. Always loved the look of these, I’d happily own one 😍
As a teenager in the mid 1970's I always remember the advert for the Sprint in the Sunday supplement magazines. It went something like "Dolomite Sprint, 0-The Magistrates Court in 9 seconds"
Exactly what happened to me too, when I was pulled by a plain clothes cop in a Rover P6 3500 on the A3, whilst trying to get a stubborn Granada 3.0 to shift out of the fast lane so I could pass. Guess who got done! ;-)
Another awsome video Steph, i really loved this review, keep up the good work.
A great review of a fantastic car. I'm from Doncaster so recognise the test drive route. Keep up the good work Steph, I enjoy all of your videos.
Should've been the standard engine in the TR7. I love how this one has that very pretty yellow color. Sunny and cheerful. So many 70s B-L yellow colors are patterned after brands of spicy mustard (full of nuance but not pretty) rather than sunflowers or the like.
Agreed - the TR7 would have been a completely different car with the 16v engine……..should have been a drop top from the off too!
@@unbalancedcrank I thought this car looks like Inca Yellow. Mimosa is a slightly paler, flatter looking colour I think. This colour is from 1977-80 I think so it's an early car in a later colour.
When I was a kid still at primary in 1979 I used to ride around on my bike and made a point of riding to see one of these parked outside someone's house. I loved it. And wanted one😄. One day the bloke came out his door while I was peering in at the dash. "You want to buy it" he said.
Well it scared me off and I never went back. 😔
Hahahah. You missed your moment 😭
One of my favourite cars of all time. Thank you for the review, poppet! 🥰
Always my favourite Triumph saloon car.
Another lovely video and really nice to see all the attention on the Triumph range (esp. the small saloons). We have an early Dolomite (Badged Dolomite, not Dolomite 1850) Auto and it's LOVELY to drive. I was really worried about the 3 speed auto, but they got the combination of diff, auto and engine torque spot on.
One SMALL criticism of the video... the way to really truely LOVE a Dolomite Sprint is to drop it down a gear and boot it and enjoy the top end of the rev range on that amazing 16V engine.
Shame you didn't get to use the overdrive. One of the most enjoyable things on my Dolly Sprint is flicking through the gears and using the overdrive in 3rd & 4th. Easily keeps up with modern traffic
Great review thanks Steph, and what an amazing car, an absolute stunner! Love the style and colour...a real favourite of mine, very envious! Great car, great review!
Thanks Tom!
I had an 1850 Dolomite in the late seventies - much as I loved the car, have to say it was possibly the worst car I ever owned - a real dog that was always breaking down. This Sprint looks great in yellow - would love another one......
I had one too - it wasn't too bad but I could NEVER get the handbrake to work - and I live on a bloody hill!!
Great review as always Steph, got to admit I like the dolomite and was looking at one a few weeks ago in our retail park, great looking cars.
For joy , for joy I found your sight again .
Thank you Very much
Used to have a 1500TC loved that car, so comfortable.
This was a real nostalgia trip for an oldie like me; trust me that Dolly Sprint looks better than I do. Thanks for a fab upload, I love these cars; they were pretty damn quick at the time; my mate had one that did over 40mph in first gear, bonkers! This was a great review, love your work, thank you.
My dad had one - the best colour by far - he was daddy cool at our school - I wish I had one ! Great video Steph - brought so many good memories back !! Thanks a mill !
Thanks x
These came to Australia but I believe this yellow was the only colour available. Very few survive as they were usually driven pretty hard. Lovely example and the paint looks in great condition. Resprayed I guess. Very handsome looking car. Thanks Steph. and the owner.
I think it might’ve been although if it has it bears no hallmarks. It’s seamless.
Very nice looking car. I always fancied one of these.
I was working in a Triumph dealership when these were launched and later had one as a company car (although it blew its head gasket at just 800 miles old !).
Brilliant car and absolutely loved it.
You’re right, the first (I think) 1000 were all painted Mimosa, although that one seems to me to be more like Inca - respray ?
If I can find the time I will tell you later about the Dolomite 135 !
I owned a 1979 Dolly Sprint..back in 1984..
Back in the day was in the Motor Trade as a Panel Beater and finisher.
I re sprayed in ICI 2 pack mixing Ford XR3 Sunburst Red..
Looked amazing but like all had an overheating issue...
Fast for sure clicking the overdrive in ...
To this day, I always talk about it..
I did own a W reg XR3 in Sunburst Red...
Dolly was my fav...I am 55 now and looking to buy another one...👍👍
Your Dolly in Mimosa Yellow looks great...
Great video, very informative as always and like the dress choice to match with this wonderful car! 👍
Super rare car in very good condition lucky man and a Leeds number plate better car than most of the hot hatches that followed
years later
Wow. One of my three possible classic future purchases. Love it
Wonderful Steph I love a Dolomite
Thanks for another great video Steph, I have one of these! 😊
Nice one Steph!! Great cars, one of me all time favourites.
I love the airbox on these, craftily makes the engine look like a V8 (in that you expect another bank of cylinders under it) .....
What if the Stag V8 had basically been two of these instead of whatever it was?
It kinda was based on the Dolly engine (or the dolly engine was half a Stag upped to 18-50) but that OHC V8 was a nightmare for overheating / head warping etc, they should have used the Rover V8 ......... but yes , a 4 litre 16V V8 based on 2 Sprint Cyl banks would have been something so long as they got the reliabiity right .
amazing video and I love these car, the sprint are just so much fun to drive
Thanks for making the interesting videos Steph
I always remember as a kid, looking in the car dealer window at the Dolomite and promised myself I'd get one! About 20 or so years later I did! 'Dolly' was a white 1977 (TVJ 649 S) 1500 HL and we loved her! It wasn't really practical with the mileage I was doing, so she became the 'family car' with Karen and the children going about their daily drives to school, shopping and trips to the countryside.
Sadly, we gave it to my sister in law just after she passed her test, on the understanding that we'd have it back. She decided to pocket the money from the scrappy and I have never forgiven her.
Now Karen has passed, I keep thinking about getting another, but these old cars are getting very expensive now.
Thank you Steph for bringing back memories of my favourite ever car - an 1850HL with overdrive and a full Webasto sunroof. It was in the same colour and I loved it. Just one quibble (and I wait to be shot down!) - I'm pretty sure that is Inca Yellow and not Mimosa which was a tad lighter :-)
I wish I still had mine
Have to say your comments are spot on..this dolomite in this colour is the only one i remember i grew up with these cars it stood out in that canary yellow. toledo- stag - 2000 -2500 pi -Gt6 they were all in my youth👍.
Dolly sprint, now this is one of my all time favourites great car with a top motorsport pedigree
I think this was the first mass production car sold with alloy wheels as standard.
Somebody else has reminded me of this but I couldn’t find a 100% source on this
I owned one of these up until 2002, I bought it in 1989 very cheaply it handled well and was quick, a company in Essex called sprint spares helped me out for spare parts, I sold it because I went working away so the car stood for long periods, good memories.
I owned a Triumph Dolomite Sprint which was the second car that I owned. Initial overheating problems - due to a warped head. But after I had the head skimmed and a thicker head gasket fitted, all was good. Andy Rouse raced this car in the UK Saloon Cars Championship and winning the driver's championship in 1975 - fond memories.
I've always thought the Dolly's were the best UK car from the time. Absolutely love them. Hope the new job is going well for you, Steph 😁
it says everything about the UK car industry. This is the tip-top flagship model of their luxury small saloon. And it has just a single door mirror - no passenger door mirror.
I love the details of this example, like the era-appropriate rear speakers and the fact that it's loved, but actually driven and used. And that colour!
The Sprint was good for 116 mph and hit 60 in 8.4 seconds- which was extremely rapid in the 70's. 127 Bhp, overdrive on 3rd and top. Great ergonomics. Classy Smiths instrument gauges, lovely interior. The Sprint was a superb motor-providing it was maintained properly- especially the cooling system. RS2000 eater!
Great review
My brother in law had two sprints,special memories
Nice had one year s ago bought back memories for me great video nice one .
What a lovely car great review Steph as always 🌹
Thanks Martin x
I had a Dolomite Sprint back in 1992 on a L plate. It was stolen in Fulham and found partially stripped in the tower block flats just north of Wandsworth Bridge. Lovely car which I still miss today.
The Dolomite was introduced in 1971 with the 1850 engine. By 1976 all medium sized Triumph saloons were called Dolomite from the boring 1300 that replaced the Toledo, the 1500 that replaced the 1500TC. The Sprint is the most exciting model introduced in 1973 that went up to 115mph, and this Inca yellow L reg is one of the earliest.
Now that is one great looking car - I had the pleasure only once back in 1983 to drive a friends 1850HL would have loved to drive a Sprint
wow...always loved this car for some reason.
Great vid Steph.
Thanks Erwin!
Fab new video Steph, good to see you back
Thanks ❤️❤️❤️
Great review as always Steph, you’re enthusiasm and personality always shine through. I hope you’ve settled into and are enjoying your new job. Love these cars. My uncle had one on an R plate when I was a kid. Had it 9 years and never a problem with it. He only got rid of it as it was involved in an accident, not his fault and insurance company said it was uneconomic to repair. Great memories watching this. Feeling crap at home after chemo and this has really brightened my day. Thank you. BTW, love how your dress coordinates with the car, I’ve noticed you’ve don that before. If that isn’t dedicated I don’t know what is 👍
Yes, finally starting to settle in but lots to be done. I’ve been exhausted hence my silence!
@@idriveaclassic as long as you’re okay 👍
Loved this I had spitfire in same colour when I was 17, always wanted a dolomite
I had one in the same colour, R reg with a full length Webasto sun roof and lots of fun to drive.
Had a white one with the webasto roof option in the late seventies,loved it
The word "TOUGHEND" on the quarter light has the dot under the third letter, indicating 1973, this might indicate damage replacement early on in it's life.
The Sprint came out in 1973, how early are we talking?
Love your videos and a nice colour top to co-ordinate with the car too
Thank you x
Oh Steph, you should get a lot of views of that!. Gorgeous little cars..
What an awesome car that is Steph!!! Thanks for the lovely video 👍😘
Thank you Daniele!
Very good to see you back again and a cracking car to return with nice one Steph.
By the way how's the Marina doing ?
Marina is still in bits! New job has really taken it out of me and she’s taken a back seat whilst I adjust. Also been fighting a bit of battle with depression. A strange summer I must admit x
Chin up chicken ,you will get back on track soon ,take care and stay safe x.
@@idriveaclassic take your time and take it easy. We're all still here for you👍
Those farm flies love the Mimosa yellow. It's the UV! Fab looking car though, one of my absolute favourite cars of all time and set the trend for all those 16 valve pretenders that followed! Love and peace.
It was so desirable in the 1970 s . I could not afford one !!!!!! Thanks for a great video .
Lewis Collins drove one in The Professionals before he switched to the Capris. Out of all the BL's they drove in the first series of that show, I loved the Dolly Sprint the best.