New Dolomite owner checking in...

[Bradman]

Hi folks,

I’d been thinking of getting another classic car to keep my hands busy (5 kids and a dog is not enough!), and went to a car show (Capesthorne Hall) recently to scope out my next toy. It had to be small as I have a narrow drive in my old semi, and was thinking of maybe a Dolomite, but also MGBGT or Spitfire (GT6 would be no1 but is out of the question unless I win the Lotto!). Then I bumped into some very friendly and helpful peeps on the TDC stand who let me look around their excellent cars. That was it: hooked! A few days later and I have a nice yellow 1850 sitting on my drive! I’ll post some photo’s soon when I work out how, but for now a little description:

The good:
She was born in 1974 with reg THU 232 M, if anyone knows the car?
It has MOT and is complete with only minor trim parts missing (gear console and 2x chrome peices outside)
A past resto has fixed much of the rot, including fibreglass wings (not for the purist, but won’t rot so I’m OK with that)
New vinyl roof, new carpets and good seats (all black, but should be chestnut according to the trim code - might change it back one day) and nice Sprint alloys.

The bad:
The paintwork is OK from 10 paces, but up close is not the best. It’s also an unknown shade of yellow similar to Inca (original colour was honeysuckle which I don’t mind, and one day when I’ve saved enough I’ll get it painted this colour again)
The engine runs very well when driven, if a little thirsty, but idles rough to say the least (the whole car shakes violently at 1000 rpm). After I’ve checked the electrics and the engine mounts I’ll probably need to overhaul the SUs...

The ugly:
Someone has made her a Sprint replica, complete with badges. I’d have probably done the same myself a few years ago and don’t mean to offend anyone if they have done this too, it’s just this time I want my classic to be original with reasonable upgrdes that the factory might have done as options, and the Sprint badges don’t fit with this and ruin a great early 1850. So: whilst I’m OK with the vinyl roof and alloys, the badges will come off when I find the correct ones, and when I’m brave enough to move them (just prior to repainting probably).
An aftermarket fuel pump has been fitted - it failed on the way home to Stoke! However, the fella who sold me the car (good bloke and very helpfull) towed me home and knocked some off the sale price for a new pump.
The car stinks of fuel, but a check of all pipes underneath from tank to carbs shows no leaks - could be related to the bad pump or poor SU condition...
The steering is horribly stiff and wanders a little - the lower flexible joint on the column is shot, but I’ve ordered a CV type one to hopefully fix it.

Overall, I’m really pleased with my purchase and I’m looking forward to my life with Dolly (not that original, sorry, but my kids named her!), and to reading up on how to do stuff on the forum!

Cheers!

[Bradman]

Front:


Back:


And sides:

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SWMBOs "Mini" next to my "medium sized family car"

[Galileo]

Well, not bad, I wouldn't kick it off my drive for dripping a bit of oil.

[GTS290N]

Looks good - I know they always look better through the lens than for real, but it does look good. Might be able to help out with some of the badges if you're not too fussy.

[Bradman]

Thanks guys!

@GTS290N: Cheers for the offer! The car came with a box-o-trash that I’ve been going through this morning - most of the original badges are there (along with even more Sprint badges ). I’m missing the badges off the front (small Dolomite nose badge and the upper Triumph badge), and the “D” badges are there but very faded. I might be interested in buying those of you if you have them...? I can’t fit any of them yet as the bigger Sprint badge I have has 3 prongs AND glue pad, and the rear post badges are glued on to the bodywork (that’s not vinyl on the rear posts, just black paint...) - so they’re not coming off until I’m ready to paint

[Mad Mart]

The nose badge should be a straight swap (once you've gotten past the glue pad).

[Bradman]

Good to know, thanks!

Cheers,

[yorkshire_spam]

Welcome!

[Mick1800]

So nice to see the original mid 70's raised digit registration plates, very rare in the white and yellow reflective variety - hope you keep them and don't put black ones on.

[Bradman]

Thanks Sam! Looking forward to getting stuck into the car, the club and the forum! I’m already stalking the forum like a boss, and haven’t yet found an unanswered question (touch wood...)

Mick: I had breifly considered the black and silver route so that I could remove and save the original 70’s plates (i like them too) but... like you I’m not sure the b&S plates suit the car really, and I have bigger fish to fry: the mounting rubbers on the SUs are shot and are for sure contributing to the rough idle - and new rubbers are not cheap from what I can tell.

[Carledo]

Welcome to the forum, it's a nice looking car!

If you want to part with the Sprint nose badge (or A Sprint nose badge) I'm after a nice yellow one! Not fussed if some or all of the 3 pins are missing! Drop me a PM.

Cheers, Steve

[GTS290N]

..................... the mounting rubbers on the SUs are shot and are for sure contributing to the rough idle - and new rubbers are not cheap from what I can tell.

Join the club and purchase solid alloy mounts. End of story forever!

[Bradman]

Whilst I wouldn't normally want to join a club that would have someone like me as a member (yikes, that joke's older than my car!), I'll be joining the TDC for sure! Solid mounts: Hadn't considered that until now, yet it makes perfect sense to me! I don't really understand why the rubber mounts are there, unless it's to dampen the accelerator when stamped upon

[Carledo]

The IDEA behind the rubber carb mounts is both vibration damping to stop frothing in the float chambers and heat insulation from the engine to the carbs to cut down on fuel vaporisation at high temperatures. It probably WAS a good idea at the time, but since these cars were new, the collective global industry that makes such parts has lost the ability to bond rubber to metal and have it last more than 5 minutes, so recently produced engine and gearbox mounts, carb spacers and timing chain tensioner slipper pads are all pretty useless!

In practise, NOBODY who has fitted the solid mounts has ANY trouble with those symptoms! It's like someone said "well you MUST have such and such or so and so will happen" and the design team just took their word for it! (like dual mass flywheels......whose bright idea was THAT?)

Steve