The Triumph Dolomite Club - Discussion Forum

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 Post subject: Auto v Manual Sprint
PostPosted: Thu Nov 09, 2017 9:48 pm 
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What's folks opinion on an auto Sprint v Manual Sprint? I've read recently that there are only 17 auto Sprints left, anyone one know if this is correct.

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Triumph Dolomite Sprint,RNK 957W

Built 26/6/1980 (one of the last built), Auto, Porcelain White - Genuine Mileage 52,820 (warranted).

Only 3 previous owners, (2 within the same family).

Supplied by Lavender Hill Garage Ltd, Enfield, London, by garage owner Jimmy Metcalfe on 30th September 1980 to Geoffery Robinson, Enfield.

Club Membership No: 2017092


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 Post subject: Re: Auto v Manual Sprint
PostPosted: Thu Nov 09, 2017 10:00 pm 
Looked at an auto when searching for mine and rejected it as soon as I drove it. The joy of the sprint is the revvy gutsy engine, flicking through the gears and overdrive making pacy progress.

The auto removes all of that and in my opinion totally ruins an otherwise terrific car. If you must have an auto then get an 1850


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 Post subject: Re: Auto v Manual Sprint
PostPosted: Thu Nov 09, 2017 10:13 pm 
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Got to disagree, having had many performance cars over the years I have to say I'm mega impressived with the auto Sprint - yes it's nice to rev through the gears but I reckon the Sprint Auto was years ahead of it's time.

Love it!!!!

_________________
Triumph Dolomite Sprint,RNK 957W

Built 26/6/1980 (one of the last built), Auto, Porcelain White - Genuine Mileage 52,820 (warranted).

Only 3 previous owners, (2 within the same family).

Supplied by Lavender Hill Garage Ltd, Enfield, London, by garage owner Jimmy Metcalfe on 30th September 1980 to Geoffery Robinson, Enfield.

Club Membership No: 2017092


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 Post subject: Re: Auto v Manual Sprint
PostPosted: Thu Nov 09, 2017 10:27 pm 
ahh, its you Murdo.

Glad you got sorted and are happy with your car. Not one for me though

enjoy

Gary


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 Post subject: Re: Auto v Manual Sprint
PostPosted: Thu Nov 09, 2017 11:09 pm 
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Location: Outer Hebrides
Hi Gary, thanks - you still got yours.

_________________
Triumph Dolomite Sprint,RNK 957W

Built 26/6/1980 (one of the last built), Auto, Porcelain White - Genuine Mileage 52,820 (warranted).

Only 3 previous owners, (2 within the same family).

Supplied by Lavender Hill Garage Ltd, Enfield, London, by garage owner Jimmy Metcalfe on 30th September 1980 to Geoffery Robinson, Enfield.

Club Membership No: 2017092


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 Post subject: Re: Auto v Manual Sprint
PostPosted: Fri Nov 10, 2017 7:20 am 
yes and the 14!

done nothing about selling it, may advertise it in the spring as 3 hobby cars is too many to make good use of them all.

cheers


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 Post subject: Re: Auto v Manual Sprint
PostPosted: Fri Nov 10, 2017 8:52 am 
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I am sure Reg will be along in a minute, Reg has owned both at the same time and eventually got rid of his manual sprint.
He has strong views on the subject :D walks away slowly ................

_________________
1973 Triumph Dolomite Sprint
1972 Triumph Stag
1963 Triumph Spitfire 4


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 Post subject: Re: Auto v Manual Sprint
PostPosted: Fri Nov 10, 2017 10:32 am 
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TDC Shropshire Area Organiser

Joined: Sun Aug 21, 2011 5:12 pm
Posts: 7013
Location: Highley, Shropshire
Quote:
What's folks opinion on an auto Sprint v Manual Sprint? I've read recently that there are only 17 auto Sprints left, anyone one know if this is correct.
On your second point, 17 surviving auto Sprints is rubbish! Last I looked, howmanyleft.com had 48 survivors in both taxed and SORNed categories and I have records of over 30 myself since I keep track as best I can on any that appear. See under "Sprint Autos anyone?" in the members section of this forum. And I have one and share another, nether of which were on record with DVLA when I got that 48 figure! Personally I think the number might be as high as 80, with more cars crawling out of the woodwork on a regular basis, yours is probably one of the recorded sorned cars, since it has been MOT'd as recently as 2004. On that front, if you could PM me a few details, reg and commission numbers especially, for my records, i'd be much obliged! I MIGHT have it on file already, but since it has only recently resurfaced, chances are I haven't!

On your first point, I do, needless to say, like the auto Sprint! Though i'm not a big fan of the antiquated BW65 3 speed box which makes the car rather thirstier than a manual would, it's still a quick car and properly set up, very smooth to drive. But then I am an auto fan anyway, it's my considered opinion that a manual car is not needed or helpful as a daily driver on today's clogged roads. To that end, my own Sprint auto project, which, when finished, WILL be my daily driver, has a 147bhp 2.2 litre Vauxhall Omega motor with its accompanying 4 speed overdriven 3 range ECU controlled Aisin/Warner automatic transmission. The best of both worlds, a distinctive car with a modern (ish) heart, reliability, effortless performance and decent fuel consumption.

Steve

_________________
'73 2 door Toledo with Vauxhall Carlton 2.0 8v engine (The Carledo)
'78 Sprint Auto with Vauxhall Omega 2.2 16v engine (The Dolomega)
'72 Triumph 1500FWD in Slate Grey, Now with RWD and Carledo powertrain!

Maverick Triumph, Servicing, Repairs, Electrical, Recomissioning, MOT prep, Trackerjack brake fitting service.
Apprentice served Triumph Specialist for 50 years. PM for more info or quotes.


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 Post subject: Re: Auto v Manual Sprint
PostPosted: Fri Nov 10, 2017 11:07 am 
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Quote:
yes and the 14!

done nothing about selling it, may advertise it in the spring as 3 hobby cars is too many to make good use of them all.

cheers
You're one lucky guy still.having them all....

_________________
Triumph Dolomite Sprint,RNK 957W

Built 26/6/1980 (one of the last built), Auto, Porcelain White - Genuine Mileage 52,820 (warranted).

Only 3 previous owners, (2 within the same family).

Supplied by Lavender Hill Garage Ltd, Enfield, London, by garage owner Jimmy Metcalfe on 30th September 1980 to Geoffery Robinson, Enfield.

Club Membership No: 2017092


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 Post subject: Re: Auto v Manual Sprint
PostPosted: Fri Nov 10, 2017 11:22 am 
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Joined: Wed Aug 16, 2017 2:06 pm
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Quote:
Quote:
What's folks opinion on an auto Sprint v Manual Sprint? I've read recently that there are only 17 auto Sprints left, anyone one know if this is correct.
On your second point, 17 surviving auto Sprints is rubbish! Last I looked, howmanyleft.com had 48 survivors in both taxed and SORNed categories and I have records of over 30 myself since I keep track as best I can on any that appear. See under "Sprint Autos anyone?" in the members section of this forum. And I have one and share another, nether of which were on record with DVLA when I got that 48 figure!
That's not my figure of 17, the reason I asked is because a well known auction house had listed a white auto Sprint for auction (which has now taken place), but they had in their description that it was one of only 17 auto Sprints left - so it was their listing that was rubbish! That's why I raised it.

Does anyone know how many Sprints were manufactured for the British market.

My car's MOT only ran out yesterday, the last MOT before that was on 2004!

_________________
Triumph Dolomite Sprint,RNK 957W

Built 26/6/1980 (one of the last built), Auto, Porcelain White - Genuine Mileage 52,820 (warranted).

Only 3 previous owners, (2 within the same family).

Supplied by Lavender Hill Garage Ltd, Enfield, London, by garage owner Jimmy Metcalfe on 30th September 1980 to Geoffery Robinson, Enfield.

Club Membership No: 2017092


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 Post subject: Re: Auto v Manual Sprint
PostPosted: Fri Nov 10, 2017 8:29 pm 
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Joined: Wed Oct 04, 2006 8:10 pm
Posts: 1264
Location: Darn saarf..
Quote:
I am sure Reg will be along in a minute, Reg has owned both at the same time and eventually got rid of his manual sprint.
He has strong views on the subject :D walks away slowly ................
Ahh yes...thank you Chris.. :)

When I had the manual and auto together, I found myself opting for the auto almost all of the time.
I've never seen the sense with manuals, certainly with modern motoring..we have auto windows, locking, a/c, wipers, seats ect and then we faff around with the prehistoric manual gearbox trying to be in the right gear all of the time..some people can't even get the right gear pulling away from the lights..myself included! :wink:

Then where is that reverse hiding?..to the left or to the right? Which corner do I aim the gearstick for? Pull up on stick or push down? Pah! Too much hassle.. :)

Then when it starts to play up..no gears, stiff clutch, no clutch, clutch bearing noise, master seals, slave seals, crunching and the classic..starting it in kangaroo gear just to get you home, then in the morning on your back underneath the car trying to figure out what's wrong with it. The only thing I liked about my manual was the overdrive..and that was because I didn't have to press the bloody clutch!

To much to go wrong I think..all that grinding of gears and creating more work for the left leg just to be "in control"..no ta.

When auto's go wrong..it's normally kaput! :lol:

Auto Sprints are fab..and mine is certainly nippy enough for me.

It's good that we have the choice though, because I fully accept I'm in a minority defending auto's and that not everyone thinks as oddly as me.. :)


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 Post subject: Re: Auto v Manual Sprint
PostPosted: Fri Nov 10, 2017 8:36 pm 
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TDC Shropshire Area Organiser

Joined: Sun Aug 21, 2011 5:12 pm
Posts: 7013
Location: Highley, Shropshire
Yes, I saw that ad! The same car is now for sale on ebay for nearly twice as much money as it made in the auction!

Total Sprint production was in the 24000+ area, there IS an exact figure, I just can't be bothered to look it up at present. However NOBODY, as far as i'm aware, knows how many of those were auto. To find out, you'd have to go to Gaydon and spend a few days going through 24000 odd build sheets, a task far too anal for me!

Ive just been on howmanyleft.com and the latest available figures (for the second quarter of this year) show a total of 705 remaining Sprints, of which 59 are listed as autos. This represents a survival rate for all Sprints of just under 3.5% Assuming a similar survival rate for manual and auto models (which may not be true, as auto's were less desirable, so more readily scrapped) this would suggest a total auto production figure of 1700+ cars, making it a rare car, even when new!

Steve

_________________
'73 2 door Toledo with Vauxhall Carlton 2.0 8v engine (The Carledo)
'78 Sprint Auto with Vauxhall Omega 2.2 16v engine (The Dolomega)
'72 Triumph 1500FWD in Slate Grey, Now with RWD and Carledo powertrain!

Maverick Triumph, Servicing, Repairs, Electrical, Recomissioning, MOT prep, Trackerjack brake fitting service.
Apprentice served Triumph Specialist for 50 years. PM for more info or quotes.


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 Post subject: Re: Auto v Manual Sprint
PostPosted: Fri Nov 10, 2017 9:16 pm 
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Posts: 13316
Location: Over here...can't you see me?
Approx 1700 were auto', like you I can't be arsed to look up the actual figure, but total Sprint was about 22,700


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 Post subject: Re: Auto v Manual Sprint
PostPosted: Fri Nov 10, 2017 9:21 pm 
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Quote:
Quote:
I am sure Reg will be along in a minute, Reg has owned both at the same time and eventually got rid of his manual sprint.
He has strong views on the subject :D walks away slowly ................
Ahh yes...thank you Chris.. :)

Auto Sprints are fab..and mine is certainly nippy enough for me.
Got to agree, just love the auto and plenty pull....

_________________
Triumph Dolomite Sprint,RNK 957W

Built 26/6/1980 (one of the last built), Auto, Porcelain White - Genuine Mileage 52,820 (warranted).

Only 3 previous owners, (2 within the same family).

Supplied by Lavender Hill Garage Ltd, Enfield, London, by garage owner Jimmy Metcalfe on 30th September 1980 to Geoffery Robinson, Enfield.

Club Membership No: 2017092


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 Post subject: Re: Auto v Manual Sprint
PostPosted: Fri Nov 10, 2017 9:51 pm 
pleased you auto lovers like your autos. our two daily BMWs are both 8 speed autos and its really a fantastic gearbox and well suited to cruising and day to day drudge driving.

I drive my classics for fun and feel the auto in my stag spoils an excellent car, I'm contemplating the ZF conversion but at just under £4k its a tad expensive. The auto sprint I test drove just didn't feel right as part of the enjoyment of driving a sporty saloon is stirring the middle stick and getting the most out of the clutch.


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