The Triumph Dolomite Club - EzBoard Archive

Posted: **Thu Jul 10, 2003 8:16 pm**

Can anyone offer any advice as regards to looking at potential buys ? 
any specifics ? 
I'm mostly interested in Dolly 1850s.

Posted: **Thu Jul 10, 2003 9:05 pm**

Buy the best body you can afford. Other than that don't be too choosy. what can I say, you don't want Brown, you dont want Auto, you dont want to do any bodywork. You might have a long search on your hands. 
 
The only rust free examples I see are Brown and usually auto's. this might sound like a contradiction but you will find that the Brown 1850 auto's were all bought by retired coffin dodgers who covered small mileages and serviced them religiously. 
 
The most rust free example you will ever see within your price range is 20 miles from your home??, engines and colours can all be changed! 
 
Other than that pay £4250 for the one advertised in heywood. 
 
I think if you are seriously looking for a dolomite at around the £500-£700 mark then the first thing you need to do is find yourself a council lock up £4 per week and buy a tool kit coz you aint going to buy a daily runner for that money. 
 
If you want to see all of the pit falls, come and look at my car, then go and look at the others for sale and make a choice for yourself. 
 
Neil.<img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /smile.gif ALT=":)">

Posted: **Sat Jul 12, 2003 9:08 pm**

According to "Classics" buying guide, a solid 1800 needing "cosmetic" work can be had for around Â£900. 
I don't think expecting to pay Â£700-Â£900 is all that 
un-realistic. 
I had always intended to get tools and to go back to college.I want an older car in order to do all the work myself.The only welding I've ever done is a little oxy-acetylene, and not much real bodywork. 
I'd never thought of applying to the council for a 
lock-up, I might chase that up.. 
Pete.

Posted: **Sat Jul 12, 2003 11:10 pm**

I'd expect a near minter 1850 for £1200. I passed on a 'superb' sprint at £2400 18 months ago because I thought it was only worth £2000, and guess what, the guy is still trying to sell it. (It was good - but not that good) 
An 1850 on axle stands is worth whatever someone will pay and I think £700 and a couple of weekends to put right is rather optimistic IMHO. Better to cut your losses and move on, and it's going to cost to shift it any distance. 
On the other hand if you want the practice with the spanners and a spray gun anyway, at least you have a fair idea what you are getting for your money, and probably a photographic record to go with it. 
And you could always negotiate 20 mile delivery in the price, or a car trailer only costs IRO £30 a day to hire.

Posted: **Sun Jul 13, 2003 1:37 pm**

I bought a Sprint a few weeks ago for £450. It has no mot but if I was going to use it as a "daily runner" there would be no problem. I think £700-£900 is quite realistic for an 1850 in average nick. <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /smile.gif ALT=":)">

1974 French Blue Sprint

Posted: **Sun Jul 13, 2003 5:58 pm**

The guide I quoted reckons a sound Sprint would be worth £2000.An immaculate example £3500. 
These are just rough guides of course, but I doubt if "Parkers" list 20-30 year old cars....<img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... tongue.gif ALT=":p"> 
I think 7-8-900 quid would be enough for a useable, solid 1850.

Posted: **Mon Jul 14, 2003 7:34 am**

You seem to have upped your anti in terms of your budget. You obviously have £900 quid to play with. The question you should be asking is " If I buy a car and spares as an unfinished project for say £500 how much will I have to pay someone to finish it". 
 
If you want an old car then the first thing I would be doing is sorting a garage. If you contact your local housing office then you will often find that a selection of garages are available. Similarly look at the local Housing Associations who also will often rent garages to non tenants. 
 
Regarding my car. The offer was for you to come and look closely at it to assess for yourself where Dolly 1850's turn crusty, then by all means go and look at other cars. Belive me I have looked at a lot of cars which are supposedly sound. but they all appear rotten in the same places and the ones that were described as sound usually plastered liberally with underseal. 
 
If you want a Dolly you dont have oodles of choice. there are probably less than 25 cars for sale nationally at this time?? 
 
when running an old car it is simply a question of "how much work do I want to buy. 
 
After advertising a potential show car that basically needs a couple of patches and a wing stuck on without success I have just resigned myself to finishing the car and running it. When the work is done It wont be for sale, unless of course someone offers £1500. which in my experience they wont. 
 
I stand by my words though. You wont find any dolly for this money that will not need work of some description. therefore before you take the plunge get a garage and somewhere dry to work on the car. 
 
Neil Russell

Posted: **Mon Jul 14, 2003 11:54 am**

Neil has finally worked out what we all new all along. A project car is ony worth what someone will pay and doesnt depend on the work already done. If you live up a mountain in the middle of nowhere surrounded by sheep the market is a bit limited. Even living in the flush with dosh home counties I'd have been lucky to get 200 quid for his car. Its turd brown auto and a non runner...not highly marketable! 
I have a nice 1850 manual in white on a W that Ive just put a years ticket on and a new clutch. I'm happy to have sold it at six... 
Mint 1850 is 1200 tops... 
Mint Sprint is 2 g. No need to ever pay more. 
Some lucky dude...no names here...just picked up a taxed and ticketed 1850 auto in french with scabby font wings but unmolested otherwise for gratis. Some you win...<img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/roll.gif ALT=":rollin"> 
Jonners

Posted: **Mon Jul 14, 2003 12:05 pm**

What dya mean Jon NON RUNNER. Its a perfect runner, just missing a wing. and who says you cant polish a turd<img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /laugh.gif ALT=":lol"> (Turd Brown that is) 
 
I am still of the opinion that Magatsu needs to get a long to a club meet and look at cars. The offer for him to look at mine wasn't and indeed isn't so that he should buy it if he doesn't want to. It will just allow him to be shown properly where our beloved cars turn to iron oxide. he can simply look at the rust free body coloured inner wing structure to see what they should look like, as opposed to peering under a wing at some black undersealed mess and hoping its not too bad<img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... tongue.gif ALT=":p"> 
 
Neil. 
 
Pressures off now anyway, wife has just resigned herself to a life of non runners littering her house and driveway. 
 
Anyone in Rochdale area got a lock up for rent??<img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /laugh.gif ALT=":lol"> 
 
Neil.

Posted: **Mon Jul 14, 2003 12:22 pm**

I misunderstood your earlier description. Im glad you are keeping it. It sounded to me all along like you really wanted to. At least you have shown the missus who wears the trousers...<img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/roll.gif ALT=":rollin"> 
When mine mistreats me I just get another Dolly.... 
When she behaves I herself I sell one. 
Jonners

Posted: **Mon Jul 14, 2003 6:47 pm**

What an understanding missus! Can't imagine what the in-laws must think about all this admitted dolly purchase though<img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /smile.gif ALT=":)">

Posted: **Mon Jul 14, 2003 6:54 pm**

Talking of project cars, has anyone seen the Sprint in Ri**er* 'used' spares section inside near the counter. Shell in primer, all in bits etc, asked the guy and he said £4000. I repeated the question, and he still said £4000!! 
Out of interest, they also had the metallic sh*t brown V8 Lynx in, what a design mess! No wonder it never made it into production. 
BTW, Does anyone know what happened to the BRG Sprint they used to have in their showroom? 
 
Mark

Posted: **Mon Jul 14, 2003 9:31 pm**

Had a look at a Dolly today, a white 1850 auto. 
Yeah, I know, I said I don't like autos, but sometimes ya gotta compromise and white's much nicer than poo brown. 
I don't doubt Neil's car would be a good project, but I need something useable, and in one piece...<img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... ohwell.gif ALT=":"> 
Besides, theres plenty of cars within budget advertised in "Quality Cars", among other places. 
Pete.<img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /smile.gif ALT=":)">

Posted: **Mon Jul 14, 2003 9:46 pm**

for a change of heart ?!! 
In Glossop.Brown, 1850 Auto. £995 
Been there about a month.Goes against everything I've said but I'm getting impatient.Might have a look in a couple of days.Can't see the body colour from inside !!<img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/roll.gif ALT=":rollin"> 
Pete.

Posted: **Mon Jul 14, 2003 11:06 pm**

so not only have you had a complete turn around, but you are now willing to spend almost double what I would sell my car to you for for a Turd brown 1850 auto. 
 
You seem to definitely not want my car despite not seing it? but seem happy to view others for double with an MOT? 
 
Be very carefull. the Dolly hides a lot of problems under the obvious sub structure. 
 
I am going to start the final areas of repair this weekend. and hope to have the car finished and MOT'd by the end of August. I hope you have found a suitable car by then my friend. 
 
Dont let the money burn a hole in your pocket. buy carefully but know what you are buying. 
I hope we will see you in a good car soon in the North west. 
 
PS. bet you're looking at lots of auto's aren't you<img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... tongue.gif ALT=":b"> 
 
Neil.

The Triumph Dolomite Club - EzBoard Archive

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