Nothing to do with me,

[ian.stewart]

Browsing tonight I spotted this, nothing to do with me,
https://www.hagerty.co.uk/articles/auct ... -restomod/

[xvivalve]

Well, that's today's covet sorted then!

[DoloWIGHTY]

I couldn't get past all the pop-ups to actually read the article and gave up.

Seems to me (reading especially this forum) that the rarest small Triumph saloon car is an unmodified one.

Seems people just want bugger about with them now rather than appreciate what they actually were built for. Sad really.

[cliftyhanger]

I rather like that. But then again, my 1850 has (literally) just passed its first MOT in many years and is rather nice to drive.
And the Stag engine is a bit underwhelming, at least in the Stags I have driven.

[SprintV8]

Ha Ha.

Spotted this on Face book
This was the Stag Engine and running gear that came out of my Sprint.
(To be replaced with that massive but very light AJPV8.)
All sold to Lewis Kingston and his dad.
To shoehorn into a Toledo.

Did wonder if it ever got finished.

Strangely enough looks like mine had more room.

Link to Classic Cars.
https://www.carandclassic.com/auctions/ ... ng-history

[tinweevil]

Funny, that would have almost zero appeal if it were a Rover v8. But with that...

[ian.stewart]

Funny, that would have almost zero appeal if it were a Rover v8. But with that...

If it were a Rover.... I used to have a pair of rover rocker covers with "triumph" cast in the top, very much 16v dolomite style in the font, TR8? would that have helped

[Carledo]

Funny, that would have almost zero appeal if it were a Rover v8. But with that...

You're right of course, it's Triumph on Triumph, but I think there must also be the British love of an underdog in there as well!

The Stag engine may be a tad more technically advanced than the late 50s/early 60s Buick designed 215cu in pushrod V8 but that's the ONLY area it's better. The Rover motor is larger, lighter, more power, more torque, more reliable, more tuneable, more accessible and MUCH cheaper to buy and maintain.

However, when considering which alien engine to put in a Dolomite, neither of those get a look in in my personal list as a modern 2.0 litre 4 banger, even without forced induction can make much better power numbers than either of those dinosaurs with less weight and easier installation. Throw a turbo on and there's no contest whatsoever. I love the soundtrack of a V8 (either one) but that's not enough reason to put a heavy, thirsty and relatively gutless lump too far forward in a light body. I used to put SBCs and essex V6 Ford motors in unlikely Brit stuff in the 70s but I grew out of when better engineered and lighter powerplants were developed in the 90s. There's research out there that suggests that a slightly undersquare 2 litre 4 pot is the perfect design for IC engines.

I'm not out to knock one (or several) mans vision and admire the dedication required to do this, but did he REALLY have to cut most of the front valance away? Just to get a radiator in? I'm sure a bit more thought and effort would have produced a more elegant solution.

Steve

[ian.stewart]

Funny, that would have almost zero appeal if it were a Rover v8. But with that...

You're right of course, it's Triumph on Triumph, but I think there must also be the British love of an underdog in there as well!

The Stag engine may be a tad more technically advanced than the late 50s/early 60s Buick designed 215cu in pushrod V8 but that's the ONLY area it's better. The Rover motor is larger, lighter, more power, more torque, more reliable, more tuneable, more accessible and MUCH cheaper to buy and maintain.

However, when considering which alien engine to put in a Dolomite, neither of those get a look in in my personal list as a modern 2.0 litre 4 banger, even without forced induction can make much better power numbers than either of those dinosaurs with less weight and easier installation. Throw a turbo on and there's no contest whatsoever. I love the soundtrack of a V8 (either one) but that's not enough reason to put a heavy, thirsty and relatively gutless lump too far forward in a light body. I used to put SBCs and essex V6 Ford motors in unlikely Brit stuff in the 70s but I grew out of when better engineered and lighter powerplants were developed in the 90s. There's research out there that suggests that a slightly undersquare 2 litre 4 pot is the perfect design for IC engines.

I'm not out to knock one (or several) mans vision and admire the dedication required to do this, but did he REALLY have to cut most of the front valance away? Just to get a radiator in? I'm sure a bit more thought and effort would have produced a more elegant solution.

Steve

I must confess I did build a RV8 powered Mk2 cortina, totally stupid spec, 3.9 TVR block, 14.1 CR, TWR grp a cam, TVR challenge heads, roller rockers, nascar pushrods, Jenvey downdraft 42mm ITBs, Emerald ECU and on and on........ran 11s in street trim 330 hp, much fun was had in that car.
But Must admit, this Toledo I have got is immense fun, but FAR too noisy, not sure why yet, I have my theories

[tinweevil]

Can't argue with any of that Steve. An RV8 would be a better choice and any soulless, uninteresting, reliable, boring, powerful modern 4 banger that would destroy the 'feel' of the car would be better still

To me it looks like a Damn Fine first assembly. It's is together and it works. Now do bits of it again more elegantly. Here's what I'd be looking to do, in no particular order (apart from #1)

1. Edelbrock filter? Really? You go to all that trouble to use a Not American engine and put that monstrosity on it? Bin.
2. Wheels. Not convinced they work.
3. As the advert says, the wiring just might need a spot of tidying up.
4. I like that two Sprint engine stabilisers have been used but the 90 degree chunks of fence post need to be replaced with something better.
5. Fit the battery properly & ground to a rather more robust spot.
6. Fix the rear seat fitting bodgery, correct length bolts would be a start.
7. Yep, tidy up the front.
8. Side exit exhaust just has to go. Hideous.
9. Pleated red gear lever surround is too much. I like the rest but that has to go.
10. As does the handbrake handle. Too much red.
11. Electric window switches change for Stag items.
12. I can't see how the wires to the door are done, if they are unprotected then I'd use tr7 rubbers.
13. I see what they've done with a number plate light to make (I guess) a revering light bit it just looks like some idiot fitted the number plate light backwards. In general I like the use of Triumph parts wherever possible but that doesn't work to my eye.
14. Connect up the rocker breather pipe should probably be higher up this list.
15. Might be there but I can't see an oil cooler.

If I had a garage to keep it in I'd be bidding, there's nothing left to do that's outside my limited capability and I'm way overdue my mid life crisis.

[ian.stewart]

Can't argue with any of that Steve. An RV8 would be a better choice and any soulless, uninteresting, reliable, boring, powerful modern 4 banger that would destroy the 'feel' of the car would be better still

To me it looks like a Damn Fine first assembly. It's is together and it works. Now do bits of it again more elegantly. Here's what I'd be looking to do, in no particular order (apart from #1)

1. Edelbrock filter? Really? You go to all that trouble to use a Not American engine and put that monstrosity on it? Bin.
2. Wheels. Not convinced they work.
3. As the advert says, the wiring just might need a spot of tidying up.
4. I like that two Sprint engine stabilisers have been used but the 90 degree chunks of fence post need to be replaced with something better.
5. Fit the battery properly & ground to a rather more robust spot.
6. Fix the rear seat fitting bodgery, correct length bolts would be a start.
7. Yep, tidy up the front.
8. Side exit exhaust just has to go. Hideous.
9. Pleated red gear lever surround is too much. I like the rest but that has to go.
10. As does the handbrake handle. Too much red.
11. Electric window switches change for Stag items.
12. I can't see how the wires to the door are done, if they are unprotected then I'd use tr7 rubbers.
13. I see what they've done with a number plate light to make (I guess) a revering light bit it just looks like some idiot fitted the number plate light backwards. In general I like the use of Triumph parts wherever possible but that doesn't work to my eye.
14. Connect up the rocker breather pipe should probably be higher up this list.
15. Might be there but I can't see an oil cooler.

If I had a garage to keep it in I'd be bidding, there's nothing left to do that's outside my limited capability and I'm way overdue my mid life crisis.

Theres a lot to be said for your comments, theres a feel of "I lost my way" and "I want rid of it," I could be wrong, is it on the route for an IVA with the front valance cut about like that, are there any more cuts we cant see? and is it/can you get it correctly registered?
The wheels aren't my choice either, I fully understand why they are used, It improves the choice of disc/calliper options, and the bolt right up from a MGF and there sort of minilite style to them too,

[tinweevil]

Hi Ian,

I hope I didn't cause any offense. I love that there's so much Triumph in it, that really does float my boat. The wheels are hard to do as there's so little choice, Stag is a possibility or if money were no object get some 14" Sprint wheels made perhaps.

Did you get it from Lewis?

Julian

[ian.stewart]

Hi Ian,

I hope I didn't cause any offense. I love that there's so much Triumph in it, that really does float my boat. The wheels are hard to do as there's so little choice, Stag is a possibility or if money were no object get some 14" Sprint wheels made perhaps.

Did you get it from Lewis?

Julian

Julian,
No offence taken, its not my car..... im just making observations,
Wheels can be SO, SO contentious, a real marmite thing, but saying that, stag wheels work, even better if they had more dish, there is a method thats been kicking around for a few years of turning stock alloys into 3 piece rims, done by machining off the rims and just leaving as much of the centre as possible like a 3 piece centre, machine enough face to use some 3piece lips with a small locating spigot, obviously it need to be within the realms of safety drill the centres whatever the lips dictate 15,18,20 holes and construct some 14",15" or 16" split rims, its a well proven route and done correctly look stunning, I have some wheels in my garage that I will trial fit when I can get to them, contentious yes, period, yes, different, yes, BUT, I have seen the same style fitted to a GRpA Dolomite in the early 80s, or may have been racing with us in the wendywools or special saloons series, it was a long time ago.

[SprintV8]

It needs the engine going back near the bulkhead.
Make new mounts for the Engine and Gearbox and shorten the prop.
That would lose the rad poking out the front.

I originally wanted the Stag engine as it was keeping in with the triumph theme.
Plus they wasn’t that much in tuning performance parts.
So I wouldn’t get tempted to soup it up.

Just put a TVR AJPV8 in its place.
I personally didn’t want a rover engine.

It’s on a Stag gearbox not a Sprint.

1. Edelbrock filter? Really? You go to all that trouble to use a Not American engine and put that monstrosity on it? Bin.
There’s a 450 Holley underneath that filter.
Much better than the strombergs.

[Carledo]

Stag wheels aren't an option without serious hub work, the Dolomite PCD is 95.25mm and the Stag is 114.3mm It can and HAS been done (by Dave (new to this on here) amongst others) but it aint quick or easy.

There are 3 or 4 OTHER MGF 15" rims that also fit, more or less and don't look as kitsch as yet MORE Minilite lookalikes.

I'm still searching for some really suitable alloys in either 6x14 or 6x15 with a 95.25 PCD and a 30+ ET that will go under all 4 stock arches without radiusing them.

I suspect the "hideous" Edelbrock filter conceals an Edelbrock 4 barrel carb, something I DON'T have a quarrel with and which is probably essential to keep the engine height down and the bonnet unaltered. Probably also good for a few extra horses if properly set up.

I agree the side exit exhaust is just plain laziness, sure getting the tailpipe through is a PITA in a very restricted space, but it's by no means impossible! If I wanted something like that, a pair of "lakes" sidepipes would be better, if you have a V8, the exhaust should be a twin pipe system to advertise the fact!

I agree the "reversing lights" look a bit odd, good idea but doesn't quite come off. The other thing is he's left the holes from the Wipac accessory reverse lights the car would have originally had under the tail lights. Should have left them there!

Interior choices are personal taste, so not going into that.

I agree it's much like a "first prototype" with some bodges and less than ideal bits still on it to get it on the road in a hurry. A good project for someone to do the last 10% to make it spot on. But anyone who has done this sort of thing (as I have) knows getting the last 10% right is the hardest and often the most expensive and time consuming bit!

Good luck to whoever buys it! It won't be me, I already have the Carledo stripped back to a shell for it's next incarnation, which will almost certainly include forced induction on a slightly oversquare 2 litre 4 cylinder! Either a Z20LET Vauxhall or a B204 Saab! It might be getting a long tail (as per Dolomite) for distinctiveness (and a bigger fuel tank) while i'm at it! But enough spoilers!

Steve