Hi,<br>
<br>
First time poster. I'm in the US. A guy just drove by the house on his way to Atlanta. He was driving a Dolomite. I'm thinkin' these cars are cool AND family friendly. The wife like that. Anyway, she's not completely adverse to me looking into buying and importing a Dolomite.<br>
<br>
I'm not new to TRiumphs. I have a TR6(driver) and a TR250 which is under construction.<br>
<br>
I'm looking for any advice on purchasing a Dolomite. I'll have to have it shipped to the states so purchase price IS an issue...<br>
<br>
Is there a buyers guide out there? I know nothing about them. Are there certain years to avoid.<br>
<br>
Thanks in advance,<br>
<br>
Todd Bermudez<br>
CD198L<br>
CF25768UO
<p></p><i></i>
Help Buying a Dolomite
Re: Help Buying a Dolomite
You might want to try this over in the tips for new owners section, or the main section, this is one of the quieter boards. But I'm sure you'll get a few answers.<br>
<br>
Here are two buyer's guides from the 'Net, one from an older version of the Dolomite Club:<br>
<br>
<!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/pauledg/Doc3.htm" target="top">myweb.tiscali.co.uk/pauledg/Doc3.htm</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--><br>
<br>
and one from the Triumph Sports Six Club:<br>
<br>
<!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://www.tssc.org.uk/dolomite.asp?art ... sguide.xml" target="top">www.tssc.org.uk/dolomite.asp?article=bu ... <!--EZCODE LINK END--><br>
<br>
Mainly the problem is rust, as with all 70s British Leyland cars. It's a monocoque construction so body condition is very important.<br>
<br>
Engines range form the 1300cc and 1500cc from the spitfire, up to an 1850cc overhead cam engine which is similar to the TR7 engine, right up to the 2 litre 16 valve sprint engine, which is based on the TR7 engine again, but with a unique cylinder head.<br>
<br>
There are two levels of trim, the basic level, which is mainly 1300 models, and the High-Line, which was most 1500s and all 1850s and sprints. This was the one with the 4 headlamps and nicer dashboard. The sprint also got a vinyl roof as standard.<br>
<br>
The 1300 is a little underpowered, especially for US roads, but the 1500 upwards, especially with overdrive fitted, should be able to keep up with traffic. In performance terms the Sprint will match either of the triumphs you have up to 100mph, where the rather blunt aerodynamics take over.<br>
<br>
Price wise, Ebay UK (<!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://www.ebay.co.uk" target="top">www.ebay.co.uk</a><!--EZCODE LINK END-->) is a decent indicator of prices. Low spec models in decent nick can be picked up for as little as £100 ($180) while a sprint in good condition will be around £2000 ($3600).<br>
<br>
There are a couple of people in the US who have imported dolomites recently, and they will be able to give you a better idea of the cost of importing, but they will probably chime in at a later date.<br>
<br>
<p></p><i></i>
<br>
Here are two buyer's guides from the 'Net, one from an older version of the Dolomite Club:<br>
<br>
<!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/pauledg/Doc3.htm" target="top">myweb.tiscali.co.uk/pauledg/Doc3.htm</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--><br>
<br>
and one from the Triumph Sports Six Club:<br>
<br>
<!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://www.tssc.org.uk/dolomite.asp?art ... sguide.xml" target="top">www.tssc.org.uk/dolomite.asp?article=bu ... <!--EZCODE LINK END--><br>
<br>
Mainly the problem is rust, as with all 70s British Leyland cars. It's a monocoque construction so body condition is very important.<br>
<br>
Engines range form the 1300cc and 1500cc from the spitfire, up to an 1850cc overhead cam engine which is similar to the TR7 engine, right up to the 2 litre 16 valve sprint engine, which is based on the TR7 engine again, but with a unique cylinder head.<br>
<br>
There are two levels of trim, the basic level, which is mainly 1300 models, and the High-Line, which was most 1500s and all 1850s and sprints. This was the one with the 4 headlamps and nicer dashboard. The sprint also got a vinyl roof as standard.<br>
<br>
The 1300 is a little underpowered, especially for US roads, but the 1500 upwards, especially with overdrive fitted, should be able to keep up with traffic. In performance terms the Sprint will match either of the triumphs you have up to 100mph, where the rather blunt aerodynamics take over.<br>
<br>
Price wise, Ebay UK (<!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://www.ebay.co.uk" target="top">www.ebay.co.uk</a><!--EZCODE LINK END-->) is a decent indicator of prices. Low spec models in decent nick can be picked up for as little as £100 ($180) while a sprint in good condition will be around £2000 ($3600).<br>
<br>
There are a couple of people in the US who have imported dolomites recently, and they will be able to give you a better idea of the cost of importing, but they will probably chime in at a later date.<br>
<br>
<p></p><i></i>
-
Carsreunited
- Posts: 1673
- Joined: Sun Aug 17, 2003 6:45 pm
Re: Help Buying a Dolomite
Welcome to the Club's board Tom.<br>
<br>
Have a good read through the various posts on <!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://p206.ezboard.com/fthetriumphdolomiteclubfrm5" target="top">p206.ezboard.com/fthetriumphdolomiteclubfrm5</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--><br>
<br>
Plenty to be getting on with there. I would say that the tried and tested method of spending as much as you can afford is going to be better than buying one that needs work. Parts aren't going to be as easy to come by for you obviously. 3000gbp should buy you a very nice example. There people on the board who are traders who will look a car over for you at reasonable rates or local enthusiasts who will give you an honest opinion on a car you may be interested in.<br>
<br>
Use the cars advertised in the club for sale listings on here and you are more likely to get one from a club member that has been cared for.<br>
<br>
Best of luck and good choice!<br>
<br>
Scott
<p></p><i></i>
<br>
Have a good read through the various posts on <!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://p206.ezboard.com/fthetriumphdolomiteclubfrm5" target="top">p206.ezboard.com/fthetriumphdolomiteclubfrm5</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--><br>
<br>
Plenty to be getting on with there. I would say that the tried and tested method of spending as much as you can afford is going to be better than buying one that needs work. Parts aren't going to be as easy to come by for you obviously. 3000gbp should buy you a very nice example. There people on the board who are traders who will look a car over for you at reasonable rates or local enthusiasts who will give you an honest opinion on a car you may be interested in.<br>
<br>
Use the cars advertised in the club for sale listings on here and you are more likely to get one from a club member that has been cared for.<br>
<br>
Best of luck and good choice!<br>
<br>
Scott
<p></p><i></i>
Re: Help Buying a Dolomite
Hello Todd,<br>
<br>
I imported my Dolly Sprint last year, e-mail me on <br>
msellers(at)mestek(dot)com for any info/help you may need. It's a pretty straight forward exercise.<br>
<br>
Cheers<br>
<br>
Mark<br>
<p>1979 Dolomite Sprint<br>
1972 TR6 (now breaking for spares to fund the Dolly)<br>
1993 Mazda Protege ($250 Winter Hack)<br>
2000 Mazda MPV (For Sale)</p><i></i>
<br>
I imported my Dolly Sprint last year, e-mail me on <br>
msellers(at)mestek(dot)com for any info/help you may need. It's a pretty straight forward exercise.<br>
<br>
Cheers<br>
<br>
Mark<br>
<p>1979 Dolomite Sprint<br>
1972 TR6 (now breaking for spares to fund the Dolly)<br>
1993 Mazda Protege ($250 Winter Hack)<br>
2000 Mazda MPV (For Sale)</p><i></i>
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