The Triumph Dolomite Club - Discussion Forum

The Number One Club for owners of Triumph's range of small saloons from the 1960s and 1970s.
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 Post subject: New here :)
PostPosted: Sun Sep 04, 2011 4:10 pm 
Hi,I am new to the forum and unfortunately not yet a Triumph owner although I would love that to change in the future.
My Dad,through the 1970s' and into the early 80s' had a new Triumph every August the 1st while I was growing up and that really got me interested in them and that interest has never stopped.
He owned Heralds,then Toledos up to 1976 when he switched to Dolomites including a 1500 SE in 1979 and the last a 1500HL in January of 1981.
He never bothered with the Acclaim as he thought it too small for 5 so moved onto Morris Ital,Montegos before finally giving up on Rover cars and finished his driving career with Skodas.
I'm now 43 and would love a Dolomite as my regular transport even though the wife dislikes them but of course as it would be my only car,the thought of a 30 year old minimum model sitting outside 365 days a year in all weathers might not be a good idea for the longevity of the car.My other concern would be the rear seat belts,or rather lack of them for our children although I have seen many for sale with them retro fitted.How easy to fit would they be and how safe compared to a normal,more modern factory fitted set?
So,how many people on here use their cars all year round and what are their thoughts and experiences on doing this?
As a non Triumph owner but,very much an enthusiast,I hope I can be part of the forum and enjoy the cars as much as you all obviously do :) :)


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 Post subject: Re: New here :)
PostPosted: Sun Sep 04, 2011 4:39 pm 
Hi, welcome! It's a little bit quiet around here today as a lot of people are at the club show, but I'm sure there will be plenty of replies later!

My car is my daily driver, not let me down yet and reasonably economical (it's VERY hilly where I am so that doesn't help) - viewtopic.php?f=19&t=18854 - no seatbelts in the back but I try not to take the kids in it too often because they leave grubby fingermarks and also extra weight slows me down! :lol:

So far it's working out well, it's classic enough to be interesting and get admiring looks all the time, but it's modern enough to have 'luxury' items like a heater, rear demister, etc that make it practical to use. I have no prior love of Triumphs or anything, no family history or childhood longing, but the opportunity arose and I'm glad I took it because I come to like it more and more all the time.


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 Post subject: Re: New here :)
PostPosted: Sun Sep 04, 2011 4:51 pm 
Thanks for the reply and the welcome :)

I'm in South Devon and it's quite hilly in places around here and to be honest my annual mileage is only about 6000 per year all local town A/B roads.

I know what you mean about the grubby finger marks :lol: .I'm very,very obsessed with my car being clean throughout and the missus and kids all get fed up of hearing "use the door handles"when closing the doors from outside or no eating in the car etc.And this is in a 2001 Toyota Corolla :lol:


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 Post subject: Re: New here :)
PostPosted: Sun Sep 04, 2011 6:36 pm 
Hi and welcome,

I'm using my 1500TC that I've recently bought every day and 6 years ago , I used a 1300 and an 1850 daily.

All cars never caused me any major problems, were roomy and fairly economical.
I once moved the contents of a 1 bed house in the 1300 from Belgium back to the UK with no problems and great MPG!

I've just fitted new seals and seatbelts to my current 1500TC and do love driving it for an around town car.

Still prefered the 1850 though, giving my that extra power on the motorway etc...

Hope that helps

Sander


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 Post subject: Re: New here :)
PostPosted: Sun Sep 04, 2011 7:44 pm 
It does,thank you.
Did you fit rear seat belts and if so,how easy/difficult is it to do?


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 Post subject: Re: New here :)
PostPosted: Sun Sep 04, 2011 8:46 pm 
Hi jw67,

The Dolly models have the anchor points for the rear seatbelts, and inertia reel type are availabe from Securon for about £80 I think.
I've not yet seen a really good 'how to' guide on fitting them yet, I believe you need some Z-shaped brackets for the rear parcel shelf and some special washers for under the rear seat squab, hopefully someone who knows will be along soon.


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 Post subject: Re: New here :)
PostPosted: Sun Sep 04, 2011 10:57 pm 
Hi,

I got mine from Canley Classics in Warwickshire, just under 40 pounds each for the front ones.

Easy to fit and definitely worth it !

Have not done back ones yet as it's got speakers fitted where the 3 point belts normally go, but will get round to doing it next week hopefully.


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 Post subject: Re: New here :)
PostPosted: Mon Sep 05, 2011 6:20 pm 
Quote:
Hi jw67,

The Dolly models have the anchor points for the rear seatbelts, and inertia reel type are availabe from Securon for about £80 I think.
I've not yet seen a really good 'how to' guide on fitting them yet, I believe you need some Z-shaped brackets for the rear parcel shelf and some special washers for under the rear seat squab, hopefully someone who knows will be along soon.
Thank you for the info there.That is really helpful :)
Are you able to fit a centre lap belt as well or is it just the 2 outer belts?


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 Post subject: If I may.............
PostPosted: Mon Sep 05, 2011 6:42 pm 
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TDC Member
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Joined: Thu Aug 09, 2007 1:22 pm
Posts: 6475
Location: Caithness, Scotland
To add to what Bill has said,
yes there are mounting points*. I have fitted static belts (from a late Toledo with the appropriate
stalks from a Dolomite in place of the normal buckle), which is what the makers intended.
Normal length stalks are okay.
I have seen inertia belts in T2000s. These will also work in a Dolomite. Most inertia types are not
suitable,so be careful to ensure that any you purchase will operate when mounted horizontally.....

It is perfectly feasible to fit a centre lap belt, but why would you?
A Dolomite is really only a four seater.




*on each corner under the back window parcel shelf and under the lower back seat.
All are 7/16" UNF but please do note that specially designed bolts should be used
(to allow the different seatbelt components to swivel as required).


Hope this is helpful and welcome to the forum!

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PLEASE help us to maintain a friendly forum,
either PM or use Report Post if you see anything you are unhappy with. Thanks.


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 Post subject: Re: New here :)
PostPosted: Mon Sep 05, 2011 7:01 pm 
Thank you for the help and advice Ian.It is all very useful and helpful.
The reason I wanted 3 belts in the back is I have 3 children,albeit the eldest is 16 and not always with us all the time.At least I know it's all possible now.

Thanks for the welcome too :D


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 Post subject: Re: New here :)
PostPosted: Mon Sep 05, 2011 10:44 pm 
Hi

I picked up my 1977 Dolly 1300 earlier this year, and although am a novice (although quickly learning) when it comes to mechanics, even I managed to fit inertia seatbelts and a centre lap seat belt in about an hour which is good for me. They cost about 60 in total.

Mine is used 3/4 times a week covering about 100 miles in total, which is fine in a 1300 in good condition and nicely tuned. If I was covering serious mileage in it then I'd probably have gone for a 1500/Sprint. Only had one issue to date with the clutch master cylinder which has been sorted now, and I much prefer it to our Zafira which I now only use when I have to.

Not had it over a winter yet, but have a feeling that it'll take time to defrost the windows and I haven't used the heater yet to any great extent.

JW


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 Post subject: Re: New here :)
PostPosted: Tue Sep 06, 2011 9:41 pm 
Quote:
Hi

I picked up my 1977 Dolly 1300 earlier this year, and although am a novice (although quickly learning) when it comes to mechanics, even I managed to fit inertia seatbelts and a centre lap seat belt in about an hour which is good for me. They cost about 60 in total.

Mine is used 3/4 times a week covering about 100 miles in total, which is fine in a 1300 in good condition and nicely tuned. If I was covering serious mileage in it then I'd probably have gone for a 1500/Sprint. Only had one issue to date with the clutch master cylinder which has been sorted now, and I much prefer it to our Zafira which I now only use when I have to.

Not had it over a winter yet, but have a feeling that it'll take time to defrost the windows and I haven't used the heater yet to any great extent.

JW
Brilliant mate,thank you :)

All this advice really helps.All I need now is to convince the missus that a Dolly is the way to go.Wish me luck :D


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 Post subject: Re: New here :)
PostPosted: Tue Sep 06, 2011 10:54 pm 
Quote:
.....All I need now is to convince the missus that a Dolly is the way to go.Wish me luck :D
Yeah, good luck with that! :lol: Seriously? Buy your significant other something that she likes with the money you're bound to save by not buying - for example - a MK1 Escort. :wink:

That should equate to many, many pairs of shoes, several designer bags, a weekend break at pretty much any country inn of her choice and tickets for a decent gig. Try to look interested if she picks a band that you don't like. 8)

On the other hand; there must be some reason why I'm currently single...... :lol:


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 Post subject: Re: New here :)
PostPosted: Wed Sep 07, 2011 6:58 pm 
Quote:
Quote:
.....All I need now is to convince the missus that a Dolly is the way to go.Wish me luck :D
Yeah, good luck with that! :lol: Seriously? Buy your significant other something that she likes with the money you're bound to save by not buying - for example - a MK1 Escort. :wink:

That should equate to many, many pairs of shoes, several designer bags, a weekend break at pretty much any country inn of her choice and tickets for a decent gig. Try to look interested if she picks a band that you don't like. 8)

On the other hand; there must be some reason why I'm currently single...... :lol:
:lol:
Yes,but she wouldn'y like any old car,so saying I've saved a fortune buying a Dolly than a Escort etc won't work :(


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