Dolly faces early retirement.....

[algtj]

Oh well Tax/Test up at the end of the month so I thought I may as well treat her to the niggly little fault repairs a little early.......<br>
Thought I might just treat myself to a hatchback in the interim.<br>
Something brown, smelly and old! thoughts please.......<br>
Not a Triumph unfortunatly.<br>
<br>
<!--EZCODE AUTOLINK START--><a href="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... <!--EZCODE AUTOLINK END-->

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[straightsixuk]

Ahh yes takes me back to 79 /80 as a boy when our then nextdoor neighbours had a couple of these in bright yellow. Always thought they looked very stylish against our ageing corsair !!!

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[Carsreunited]

That's a loooooooooooooooong way to go for a strange car!<br>
<br>
Sure you don't want a tax exempt 1300 fwd that's having some welding doing at the moment?!<br>
<br>


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[Jon Tilson]

Go for it. If the head cracks through the valve guide like mine did then you could put an XE i and 5 speed box n it....<br>
I loved ours....one of my all time favourite drives and one of the best rwd chassis ever...<br>
Vauxhalll have yet to equal it chassis wise.<br>
Shame about the colour...ours was tasteful met blue.<br>
<br>
Not as well made as a Dolly though...<br>
<br>
Jonners

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[algtj]

I am lucky in that Soph's mum lives down that end and I have a lift! <br>
<br>
I have a garage FULL of spares for these too <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START ;) --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/wink.gif ALT=";)"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br>
Soph (the mechanic in the family) is down there whilst I recover from the latest op and is going looking at it tomorrow for me. <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :D --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/happy.gif ALT=":D"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br>
<br>
PM me Scott with details (incase things go awry) <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START ;) --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/wink.gif ALT=";)"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START ;) --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/wink.gif ALT=";)"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START ;) --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/wink.gif ALT=";)"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br>
<br>
What?! Not as well made as a Dolly....... Hmmmn your trying to provoke me again! <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :lol --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/laugh.gif ALT=":lol"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br>
Proper metal, assembled in Belgium (first Vauxhall not built in the UK) Thank the....... goodness!<br>
Panel gaps actually are gaps........<br>
<br>
Paint applied in a workshop by skilled workmen!!!!!<br>
<br>
Ducking for cover!!!!!! <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :rollin --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/roll.gif ALT=":rollin"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br>
<br>
I have heard of woes with the heads before, but in the 10 years or so Iv'e had cars with this engine... no probs.<br>
<br>
Infact, back in 89 whilst in Ireland one probably saved my life!<br>
<br>
As Iv'e said to smifter.......<br>
XE my pants! 2.5 V6, 3.0 cams, induction and management and your looking at more power at less revs (no substitute for cubic inches) torque I think its called.<br>
<br>
But no, the good lady would be using this also and thus said, a four speed auto from a Monza GSE is the likely option. <br>
<br>
But I will be dedicating more time to the Dolly with the help of some friends! <br>
Watch this space.<br>
<br>


<p></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://p206.ezboard.com/bthetriumphdolo ... b>algtj</A> at: 4/8/06 10:36 pm<br></i>

[SMIFTER]

I had one of those as my second car at the ripe age of 19 in my pre dolomite days - in that colour too!<br>
<br>
Its was bloody brilliant, not exactly fast but had a really nice solid feel. Way better than the fwd Cav's that replaced it. Sounded awesome with a pipercross air filter bolted onto the twin choke downdraft carb!<br>
<br>
Went everywhere in it and never let me down, very reliable motor.<br>
<br>
Handling was pretty good too (for the time).<br>
<br>
I have to say its better made than a Dolly of the same age. Just look out for rot as there's a good reason why there arent many left!<br>
<br>
I'm struggling to think of any bad points, I wish I never sold it to buy a crappy understeering fwd Mk2 SRi.<br>
<br>
The only downside is you might spend less time with your Dolomite!<br>
<br>
G<br>
<br>
p.s. As for the V6, I here you, but too complex for my simple mechanical talents. Can be bothered with swapping cams nor can I afford to get rwd V6 exhaust manifolds made. I'm looking purely at engines I can bin and replace when they go pop (which XE's generally dont anyway). Plus I like revs, revs are good. If I do want more torque I'll be looking at Calibra turbo power.

<p><!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://www.smifter1971.pwp.blueyonder.c ... >Smifter's Dolomite Sprint Website</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--><br>
<br>
Scary XE powered 1974 Dolomite Sprint Trackday Experiment. Maybe someday soon<br>
<br>
2002 Octavia VRS - 20 valves, leather, a turbo and 146mph - Czech it out!! </p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://p206.ezboard.com/bthetriumphdolo ... SMIFTER</A> at: 4/8/06 10:44 pm<br></i>

[SMIFTER]

If your into retro Vauxhall's<br>
<br>
Have you seen this bad boy!<br>
<br>
Must be unique - rare even without the lotus bits!<br>
<br>
<!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/vauxhall-sportsha ... dZViewItem" target="top">Lotus Droopsnoot Hatch</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--><br>
<br>


<p><!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://www.smifter1971.pwp.blueyonder.c ... >Smifter's Dolomite Sprint Website</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--><br>
<br>
Scary XE powered 1974 Dolomite Sprint Trackday Experiment. Maybe someday soon<br>
<br>
2002 Octavia VRS - 20 valves, leather, a turbo and 146mph - Czech it out!! </p><i></i>

[algtj]

One or two about! <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :p --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/tongue.gif ALT=":p"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br>
<br>
Think they only did around 24 in the 'Estate' body shell<br>
<br>
There's still one in the village a grew up in.<br>
<br>
I wonder if he has the lotus developed 2.3 16V Slant 4 engine rather than the 2.2 16V 4 developed from the ford.<br>
<br>
Didn't look at the pics long enough! <br>
<br>
Sorry.............!<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :D --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/happy.gif ALT=":D"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br>
<br>
Yeah I hear you on the XE, build it, blow it, pop another one in!!! Rape another Manta for the gearbox!!!!<br>
<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :rollin --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/roll.gif ALT=":rollin"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END-->

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[Jon Tilson]

Sorry no it isnt...<br>
Thats why there are none left...<br>
Vauxhalls of this period have a ten year life. Once the underseal goes its curtains. Thats why these and other good cars like Mk2 astrays are now almost extinct. Add in the hideous interior plastics and the cheap and nasty seat trim and you have a recipe for smething noone wants to preserve. Mechanicals are good for 150k though, so they did hold the miles well as repmobiles.<br>
Dollies otoh hand have a relatively high survival rate as we all know. Quality interior especially. Having lived long term with both its no contest. I'd have a slant 4 over a Cav mk1 anyday. I like the chassis and the looks but the rest is too ordinary. Still a nice car though and I suppose if you get a really well preserved one its worth having. But if you buy an equivalent condfition dolly I know which will be in better shape in ten years time...the dolly will still be here while the cav will have long gone in the crusher...<br>
I know this to be true...YYV16T went west 15 years ago.<br>
I still have DBL---V.<br>
<br>
Jonners

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[algtj]

We will have to agree to disagree on this one.<br>
<br>
Certainly the late model 'plastic fanastic' models are less prevelant, due to thinner metal.<br>
<br>
I have an 80 Manta, and a 78 Ascona which are better nailed together (true, crap interior's when compared to a Dolly) than the three Dollies I've owned.<br>
<br>
Dollies have been out of date since 78 and bought by old folks which ensured survival over and above a main stream throw away car like a Cav due to the buy british at all costs attitude of post war generations and the percieved upper class quality of Triumph.<br>
<br>
There are more Mk 1 Cavs on the road than MK2's!<br>
<br>
When did you last see a MK 1 Sierra.....<br>
<br>
Rep mobiles........<br>
<br>
The thing about these cars is, the build quality was constant, everything lined up and paint was applied properly.<br>
<br>
They suffer no more than Dollies do with shot sills, chassis legs etc, but because of Triumphs heritage (and above statement) and the Vauxhall/Ford 10 year rep mobile throw away image not many people actually bothered with the rust prevention.<br>
<br>
I do actually prefer driving my Dolly than any of my Vauxhall/Opels, why.........<br>
<br>
I love the way the interior squeaks, the way none of the panels line up, the way simple things go wrong, such as the metal rots whilst I look at it, trim drops off when I wash it, kids point and laugh and how it's inflicted by a 1500 engine which works so much better in a Spitfire.<br>
<br>
But as anyone who has owned an Alfa will say, you don't just drive it you maintain its beauty .......... Something to do with Italian style, which we all know the Dolly has BAGS of!<br>
<br>
But to diverse the collection even more, just to wind you up, I would go out and buy another MK 1 Escort RS 2000 such as I had before I was divorced 8 years ago..... But I can't afford it <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :lol --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/laugh.gif ALT=":lol"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br>
<br>
That sounds really crap of me, but I will leave it in, as I am just as critical of my self as others!<br>
<br>
Otherwise I think our choice of tin ware is not dissimilar. <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :D --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/happy.gif ALT=":D"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>


<p></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://p206.ezboard.com/bthetriumphdolo ... b>algtj</A> at: 5/8/06 6:54 am<br></i>

[alun n]

The droopsnoot is less than five miles from me; you can call in when you pick it up...

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[algtj]

Better still, when you drop it off we'll have a BBQ!!! <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :D --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/happy.gif ALT=":D"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br>
<br>
Just had another look. It's definately not a factory one (I think the sellers states this though) due to having a Firenza droop snoot.<br>
The Sportshatches had an integral bumper molded into the vast expanse of air dam!<br>
<br>
I reckon the engine is a 2.3 slant 4 Vauxhall type lotus.<br>
<br>
I reckon you need this car Alun, lotus and all that! <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :D --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/happy.gif ALT=":D"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END-->

<p></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://p206.ezboard.com/bthetriumphdolo ... b>algtj</A> at: 5/8/06 10:13 am<br></i>

[1300dolly]

quote fron scott...'Sure you don't want a tax exempt 1300 fwd that's having some welding doing at the moment?!'<br>
<br>
why are you trying to sell my fwd???<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :lol --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/laugh.gif ALT=":lol"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br>
<br>
<br>
J.<br>
<br>
sorry just relised you said some welding, so cant be mine as im having a little bit of car attached to a lot of weld.<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :hat --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/pimp.gif ALT=":hat"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br>


<p></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://p206.ezboard.com/bthetriumphdolo ... 00dolly</A> at: 5/8/06 1:49 pm<br></i>

[Jon Tilson]

Al its such fun disagreeing with you. WHat we have hear is a clear perceptual failure...<br>
Dolomites were a quality upmarket vehicle so may well have had more caring owners. Pensioners they were certainly all not! I stll have my landlord's admittedly reshelled after accident damage 72 example..he was an airline flight engineer. I worked with loads of RAE reserarch types...dolomites were extremely over represented. When the dolly stopped production it was the most requested used car for the next 3 years according to car data...The 3 series Beemer or A4 of its day.<br>
We all know the early pre 75 ones do best on survival as they are definitely made of better steel. Even the ones made of the shite Italian stuff do better than the other BL tat of the period...some survive, there are no allegronas left at all.<br>
<br>
Now the Ascona (short nosed cav) was actually perceived as a tad upmarket when it was brought out, but that seemed to go west when the Cav turned up with the longer nose. The Sports hatch was seriously desirable. I must be one of the few who had them both at the same time when they were by no means classic and just ordinary 5 year old daily drives. A mate also had a 1600 cav saloon, which despite dim gear ratios was a reasonable car, if a tad lo rent in side. I had a much older 1850 at the time and the Cav definitley had the better chassis, but nothing esle. My wife came with a Cav sports hatch which I got her to replace her Spit (which we aslo still have) and I had a dolly Sprint. I loved the Cavs looks and chassis and I loved the Sprints go. .<br>
<br>
I didnt like the Cavs lo rent plastic dash and the seats I could see were not going to stay the distance. The Dolly is still fine now. The Cav annoyed me by needing a gearbox rebuild, the cracked cylinder head without over heating, the need for new valve lifters every few months to stop tappet noise, the heater matrix went and in the end I just flooged it for 1300 quid. I aslo didnt like the way Vauxhall dealers couldn't set up the auto choke...soon worked that out myself. On the whole though the Varajet is a bad joke compared with twin SU's. In the same period I redid the Sprint head cos the rocker shaft went on one finger and rounded off a cam lobe. I then stuck in an STR91, rebuilt the box out of interest...never done one before and then commuted to work in it for the next five years. I still have it now, nearly finished longer term part time resto after a long lay up.. When in use it had the odd foible but then at 130 k miles up it was and is a seriously old car! The Cav went with about 110 on the clock and I wasn't that sad to see it go.<br>
<br>
So while I liked the Cav 2000 GLS spots hatch I would never delude myself that it had better build quality than a dolly Sprint built at almost the same time. I occasionally thought about a GTE....but didnt like the dash and the need for 4 doors meant it never happened.<br>
<br>
I do have a strange pull towards Callibras now though...<br>
Hmm turbo 4wd and 6 speed box? so maybe the Cav did get in to my blood after all...<br>
<br>
I still think you should go for this one...but I'm sure you would enjoy a Sprint more...<br>
<br>
Jonners<br>
<br>


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[algtj]

Never mentioned pentioners as that would make me 'agest!'<br>
<br>
Yes Varajets are pants, but with a number of spare webbers gathering dust.......<br>
<br>
Like I say, we will have to agree to disagree.<br>
We all know how badly put together Dollies are despite your protestations.<br>
<br>
All I will say on the subject of Sprints is, I was dissapointed with my first one, maybe because my 1500 is bloody brilliant.<br>
There is a subtle hint here if you care to read between the lines.<br>
<br>
Hydraulic tappets are very specific in their set up on the CIH engine and this is the wrong forum to teach you the how to do it correctly. <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :p --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/tongue.gif ALT=":p"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :D --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/happy.gif ALT=":D"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br>
<br>
As for Calibra's don't bother.... The 6 speed 4X4 is worse for self destruction than Sprints are for overheating.

<p></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://p206.ezboard.com/bthetriumphdolo ... b>algtj</A> at: 6/8/06 8:46 am<br></i>