Aerial Position

For everything to do with Dolomites, Toledos, FWD cars and Dolomite-based kitcars.
Post Reply
Message
Author
User avatar
RSi
TDC Member
Posts: 648
Joined: Wed Aug 16, 2017 2:06 pm
Location: Isle of Lewis (Outer Hebrides)

Aerial Position

#1 Post by RSi »

Which position did Triumph fit the aerials on Dolomites as normal, front or rear.
Triumph Dolomite Sprint (RNK 957W)

Automatic, porcelain white - 52,820, genuine mileage (warranted).

Built 26/6/1980, 3 previous owners (2 within the same family).

Supplied by Lavender Hill Garage Ltd, Enfield, London, by garage owner Jimmy Metcalfe on 30th September 1980 to Geoffrey Robinson, Enfield, London.

Club Membership No: 2017092
User avatar
yorkshire_spam
Guest contributor
Guest contributor
Posts: 996
Joined: Wed Nov 15, 2017 3:35 pm
Location: Filey, North Yorkshire

Re: Aerial Position

#2 Post by yorkshire_spam »

The ones I've noticed were on the RHS front wing not too far forward, but I have no idea whether or not they were factory/dealer fit. Sorry.
Image
User avatar
Galileo
TDC Member
Posts: 1297
Joined: Mon Aug 10, 2015 8:20 pm
Location: Shetland / here & there

Re: Aerial Position

#3 Post by Galileo »

The answer is that they where all dealer fit and there was no prescribed placement. Press cars at the Sprint launch had them fitted on the front O/S wing, Police Dolomites had them all over the car!

https://media.motorsportmagazine.com/ar ... ull/40.jpg
viewtopic.php?t=32213
Attachments
Dolomite Sprint Guernsey Police.jpg
Dolomite Sprint Guernsey Police.jpg (61.93 KiB) Viewed 1377 times
triumph_dolomite_sprint_press_car_FRW.jpeg
triumph_dolomite_sprint_press_car_FRW.jpeg (363.93 KiB) Viewed 1377 times
Current fleet: '75 Sprint, '73 1850, Daihatsu Fourtrak, Honda CG125, Yamaha Fazer 600, Shetland 570 (yes it's a boat!)

Past fleet: Triumph 2000, Lancia Beta Coupe, BL Mini Clubman, Austin Metro, Vauxhall Cavalier MK1 & MK2, Renault 18 D, Rover 216 GSI, Honda Accord (most expensive car purchase, hated, made out of magnetic metal as only car I've ever been crashed into...4 times), BMW 318, Golf GTi MK3 16v x 3
Carledo
TDC Shropshire Area Organiser
Posts: 7249
Joined: Sun Aug 21, 2011 5:12 pm
Location: Highley, Shropshire

Re: Aerial Position

#4 Post by Carledo »

The ariel and position shown on the Sprint press launch car above (FRW 805L) seems to be correct for all Sprints and was gradually adopted for lesser models later on in production. Initially on the launch of the Toledo in 1970 there was no factory fit ariel (or radio) and no hole in the car anywhere for an ariel to be fitted so dealers fitted them where the customer wanted them. Towards the end the radio and ariel became standard and the ariel position from the factory became the o/s/f wing. However, replacement wings were all sold sans hole which leads to varying styles and fitments, even on later cars.

Steve
'73 2 door Toledo with Vauxhall Carlton 2.0 8v engine (The Carledo)
'78 Sprint Auto with Vauxhall Omega 2.2 16v engine (The Dolomega)
'72 Triumph 1500FWD in Slate Grey, Now with RWD and Carledo powertrain!

Maverick Triumph, Servicing, Repairs, Electrical, Recomissioning, MOT prep, Trackerjack brake fitting service.
Apprentice served Triumph Specialist for 50 years. PM for more info or quotes.
AlanH

Re: Aerial Position

#5 Post by AlanH »

From what I have seen, early ones are at the back and later ones are at the front.

Edit: Having said that the picture above is an early one so what do I know.
Last edited by AlanH on Sun Dec 03, 2017 1:41 pm, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
Galileo
TDC Member
Posts: 1297
Joined: Mon Aug 10, 2015 8:20 pm
Location: Shetland / here & there

Re: Aerial Position

#6 Post by Galileo »

N/S rear wing seemed to be a favourite for some, my 2000 had one there. A great big whip aerial that caused a motorcycle rozzer to pull me over one day as it had come out of the gutter clip and apparently I could have had his eye out with it, swapped it for a posh electric one I got as a Christmas present from my dearly departed parents. Strayed from technical to reminiscence!
Current fleet: '75 Sprint, '73 1850, Daihatsu Fourtrak, Honda CG125, Yamaha Fazer 600, Shetland 570 (yes it's a boat!)

Past fleet: Triumph 2000, Lancia Beta Coupe, BL Mini Clubman, Austin Metro, Vauxhall Cavalier MK1 & MK2, Renault 18 D, Rover 216 GSI, Honda Accord (most expensive car purchase, hated, made out of magnetic metal as only car I've ever been crashed into...4 times), BMW 318, Golf GTi MK3 16v x 3
dollyman
TDC Cheshire Area Organiser
Posts: 1410
Joined: Wed May 17, 2017 6:28 pm
Location: NANTWICH.

Re: Aerial Position

#7 Post by dollyman »

Just to be awkward? Mine is a roof aerial and always has been :wink:
It is an earlyish one though :D
Cheers, Tony.
NOW A CLUB MEMBER 2017057 :bluewave:
User avatar
xvivalve
TDC West Mids Area Organiser
Posts: 13582
Joined: Thu Sep 28, 2006 1:13 pm
Location: Over here...can't you see me?

Re: Aerial Position

#8 Post by xvivalve »

There seems to be no rhyme or reason to location, early or late and probably has more to do with dealer preference. CAB (Sprint chassis number 6712) has the dealer fitted aerial on the offside rear wing; I've seen many in that location and historically was shown a 'Triumph' branded paper template for positioning the hole cutter in that rear position.

Which ever, front or rear, I doubt either would have been an easy cut as they are both on the cusp of a complex curve, but the rear can have a more standard aerial fitted whist the front requires a 'teardrop' shaped escutcheon and an aerial with sufficient adjustment angle to suit.

The front position requires the inner baffle to be unbolted from the wheel arch, whereas the rear is just the moving of the boot side panel. The front accommodates a standard length cable straight through the bulkhead to the radio, the rear requires a longer one to be fed under the carpet.

Whilst all aerials were dealer fitted, I've seen NOS front wings with the hole ready cut though most don't have it!
User avatar
tangocharlie1
TDC South Hants Area Organiser
Posts: 792
Joined: Thu Oct 05, 2006 9:57 pm
Location: eastleigh, hants

Re: Aerial Position

#9 Post by tangocharlie1 »

Only ever seen them on the right side of the car either front or rear, although as already been said there is no specific placement as original. However i prefer the rear location as it is much easier to fit an electric retractable aerial (more room in the boot and it is hidden behind the side panelling).
1973 Triumph Dolomite Sprint
1972 Triumph Stag
1973 Triumph TR6
Post Reply