The Triumph Dolomite Club - EzBoard Archive

Posted: **Fri Sep 15, 2006 8:16 am**

Thanks for you continued suggestions. 
 
The BGT does sound like an intresting proposition. Particulary as a contrast to my 1850, but are BGTs any more refined than Spitfires? 
 
The wife's previous classic was a 1975 Spitfire. She didn't feel very safe in it because she said it seemed it was tricky to control. She thought the throttle was a bit jumpy and the clutch and steering were too stiff. I think this made it challenging to park the car and drive in traffic (she worried that she would tag nearby cars) She also felt very vulnerable in the Spitfire and worried that all the white vans tailgating her would simply crush the litte car. 
 
The Golf she drives now is by no means a huge car, but she feels she can control the steering throttle and brakes really confidently compared to the Spitfire. So it creates a much greater feeling of safety I really don't like the Golf though. It just seems a bit crap! <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/sick.gif ALT=":x"> 
 
So I want to find her a classic that isn't quite as rudamentary as the Spitfire. That doesn't mean that it needs to have power brakes and steering, but it should provide a more confident drive. 
 
Does any of this make any sense? 
 
Thanks 
 
Chris 
 
PS: I hope none of this sounds sexist or patronising <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/eyes.gif ALT=":rolleyes"> 
Just want to keep the wife safe. 
 
PPS: I probably should not be surprised by all the recomendations for Dolomites and Dolomite related cars on this site, but there really does seem to be a trend here. I don't think I realised how superior Dolomites were to many of the cars from the same time. This thread has been particulary helpful for me in that way. Do you think that drivers of other classic cars hold Dolomites in such high esteem, or are we being a bit biased?

Posted: **Fri Sep 15, 2006 8:19 am**

Thats exactly the same as my old Toledo, my first ever insight in to Dolly world, it was so knackered. The engine knocked and banged, the front of it was completely made of rust and filler and it leaked water from just about everywhere, it had to go to Dolly heaven.<img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/indifferent.gif ALT=":|">

Posted: **Fri Sep 15, 2006 12:21 pm**

The reason you get the response here is cos we are all biased, but with good reason. Read some contemporary road tests of the era...say 75 ish...and you will see that the Dolomite and Sprint are the favourites of the day. 
 
As a replacement for the Triumph Vitesse, which is what the dolomite originally was, it was a quantum leap forward in every department. 
 
Against its natural competion you had to look to the BM 02 and Alfas to offer realistic alternatives in interior quality and dynamics. All the UK stuff except the P6 rover were just not in the same class, and even the P6 is a different sort of car really, being in the class above...with the T2000's and Granadas. 
Dolomites are just so superior to Rootes arrow sceptre and the Mk3/4 Cortina upmarket variants that were the natural competition. 
 
So no surprises then in your conclusions. Are we held in high esteem? Probably not. Classic car buffs tend to be fiercely brand loyal. We just have better reason to be. 
 
But an MGB GT will do all you want for your wife and having both in the fleet now I know how she feels. Much as I love spits they are flimsy and small. The BGT feels more solid somehow. I actually do quite like mine....but if I had to choose between the 2 I'd have a dolly 1850 every time. Not so sure about a 1500.... 
 
I suggest you buy the actual individual car too. Dont just buy a sheddy dolomite when there is a cracking BGT or P6 2000 nearby for the same money. 
 
My 10 quids worth...<img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/pimp.gif ALT=":hat"> 
 
Jonners

The Triumph Dolomite Club - EzBoard Archive

Classic car reccomendation for the wife.

Good safe drive for the wife.

Re: MG

Dolomite Superiority...