Sprint Dashboard dates

[GrahamFountain]

Does anyone know when the Sprint dashboard got the dimmer control and when the hazard switch went from rectangular to round?

Graham

[Bradman]

Hello Graham,

Not sure about the dimmer on the dashboard (I thought that was something that disappeared on Dolomites when the move to "peripheral vision" gauges were fitted, so just before the Sprint's launch), but round hazard switches and the cheaper single indicator warning cluster came with series 2 Sprints (VA15000 onwards). So... mid to late 1975?

Someone with a better anorak than mine will correct me if I'm wrong

Mike.

[Mad Mart]

The Sprint never had a dimmer switch fitted from the factory.

[maitretjak]

The Sprint never had a dimmer switch fitted from the factory.

Think only the early original dolomite had it indeed, was it 1973 only?

[SprintV8]

I’m sure mine has a dimmer switch.
Top left of dash.
I’ll check next time I’m round there.

[GrahamFountain]

The Sprint never had a dimmer switch fitted from the factory.

Think only the early original dolomite had it indeed, was it 1973 only?

Pretty sure the Sprints from 73 didn't have a dimmer. I thought it was added later, but maybe the dashes with the dimmer and the rectangular hazard switch are earlier Dolomites, but not Sprints.
Are the ones with round hazard switches and dimmers from other dolomites built after 75-6 then?

Graham

[MIG Wielder]

Does anyone know when the Sprint dashboard got the dimmer control and when the hazard switch went from rectangular to round?

Graham

Interesting ! The very early 1850 Dolomite parts book shows the rheostat pictorially but with no part number in the July 1973 book 520502A on page 20-31. The references to Comm; Numbers are blank as well. They do show the rectangular hazard switch though on the same page.
On the latest Dolomite range parts book Feb 1981 on page 1N-18L there is UKC6881 Rheostat plus 153007 control knob shown for the AUS market. Perhaps one of our antipodean colleagues could help ?

Tony.

[Bradman]

I've done a little more digging, but only because I bought a NOS dash panel from Rimmers that had the correct square hole plus 2 round ones that I can't use with my original wiring, and I wanted to know what it should be fitted to...

Original Dolomite up to WF27181 (RH manual) / WF26608 (RH auto) / WF26610 (LH):
These cars have the rectangular hazard switch.
They also have an adjustable "panel rheostat", or dashboard dimmer and need a round hole in the dashboard.
Cars fitted with tandem brakes have a warning light on the dashboard and need another round hole. (This one is like my Rimmers dashboard, but my car is a little later so I use the extra holes for something else)
Gauges are the original black rimmed type, and the walnut is darker than later cars.
Dolomites were produced this way up to June 1973.

Dolomites from WF50001 up to late 1975 (and the first Sprints up to VA10745):
These cars still have the rectangular hazard switch.
The new "3mm pin" harness is used, and the rheostat is not fitted anymore or since by Triumph*. 1 less hole in the dashboard.
Cars fitted with tandem brakes have a warning light on the dashboard and this needs a round hole.
Gauges are the peripheral vision / black and chrome rimmed type, with the more common lighter walnut veneer.

After that (series 3 Dolomite / series 2 Sprint) the move to round hazard light switch happens, bringing with it a dashboard mounted heated rear screen switch (another round hole, but the switch is initially small and round, later rectangular) and a seatbelt warning light (1 round hole plus 2 smaller round holes either side. Again, tandem brake models get a warning light, and another round hole in the dashboard.

*I thought about retrofitting a rheostat to my car to occupy one of the holes (the other now has my heated rear window switch as the original under dashboard type is missing and I can't find an original). It's possible if you amend the loom, so perhaps some cars have this retrofit to add to the confusion? I abandoned the idea and fitted a period rocker switch instead to isolate the radio.

PS my Dad lives in Perth and he once owned a Dolly - but this info did not come from him: he's not a fan and remembers too well the low skill levels of BL mechanics back in the day and switched to Toyota long ago

[GrahamFountain]

Ah, I forgot about the rear screen heater switch moving and don't think I knew about the brake indicator.
I think that makes sense now. Thanks Mike.

Graham

[SprintV8]

I’m sure mine has a dimmer switch.
Top left of dash.
I’ll check next time I’m round there.

This one got fitted after it left the factory.
Different colour wires.
Possibly changed when the Stag Revcounter got fitted.