How do we spot an "Early One"?

[Toledo Man]

The clutch hose on my Toledo was the red one. I've got a front and rear bumper from my 1971 1500fwd which would be interesting to compare. I always thought that the all-white sun visors were for the "lesser" models. I've got a set from my Toledo which I will fit to Brown if the early 1850s had all-white sun visors.

[Magenta Auto Sprint]

Mike,

very interesting, something like 30+ changes.

I am interested in the brake master cylinder as my May 1973 sprint parts book shows duel circuit brakes as well as two styles of single line master cylinder, so would this have been an optional extra? although the wiring is not equipted for the warning light/switch in the 6 way junction valve.

malc

[dogrich_0]

Great post, that took some effort! Just took the laptop in my garage checking over my 73'1606 sprint. Well its mimosa so thats a good start.....a lot of the points ihave found on mine, but quite a few are different. I think over the forty years things get changed, upgraded and wear out......a bit like myself really Great read though. cheers rich

[JPB]

RE the dual circuit brakes: Yes, the (1973 July, section 19, parts 72 and 73) parts book clearly shows the dual circuit MC as being for the German market, other Germany only alternatives include the radiator grilles that look like 1500 ones, not the deeper, basket-style ones of home market Dolomites.

[Jon Tilson]

Ive had those rubber clutch hoses on several 'mites and never had any issues. I have had several issues with the red plastic type on various ohv ones I've owned.

I'd fit a cunifer one with a coil in it next time as the rubber ones are a bit thin on the ground now,

ERO still has the rubber one it came out of the box with in 72 I suspect....about its only original mechanical component!

Jonners

[Carledo]

Having read this (several times!) with great interest I had a look round my 78 Auto (VA 26140 DLA)today and found the following discrepancies, 1) Early series front bumper, irons, brackets and underriders, think this must be retrofit as there are no holes in the valance or lower brackets on the underriders. 2) the bootlid stainless moulding has the early, soldered in metal end pieces. If anybody is interested in my early series bumper for a meticulous rebuild (its straight and only lightly rust spotted on the underside face) I will happily swap it for a later type in similar state.

Steve

[xvivalve]

Only one main beam light was 75W, the other was 50W

[Len Hughes]

Hi Alun,

I've heard that before but my new Sprint in 73 had two, as does EPX but that could have been changed anytime in the 30 years before I had it.

[Magenta Auto Sprint]

A very useful guide which any prospective sprint buyer should use when looking, so armed with this knowledge I looked at some sprint photos on ebay, a very nice red 1973 model but it sports the lower door rubbers, no seems in the vinyl roof, incorrect boot badge, demister switch on the dash, no suede to back seats and incorrect over/under riders and tandem brakes. so I might question its authenticity.

[DoloWIGHTY]

A very useful guide which any prospective sprint buyer should use when looking, so armed with this knowledge I looked at some sprint photos on ebay, a very nice red 1973 model but it sports the lower door rubbers, no seems in the vinyl roof, incorrect boot badge, demister switch on the dash, no suede to back seats and incorrect over/under riders and tandem brakes. so I might question its authenticity.

You could contact the owner if you wish for your own curiosity, but I feel there is little point as this very car is the inspiration for this actual topic and has been covered extensively previously in the eBay section of this forum.

[Magenta Auto Sprint]

Thanks Alun, i didn't realise that it had been a hot topic before but i have now found the post.

malc

[miniman]

What a fantastic thread

My 73 Sprint (VA801) still has most of the "early" features, but have never looked in detail at things like the carbs etc.

[GrahamFountain]

I see that all of Mike Barkers stuff has disappeared from this thread. I contacted the club and they can't help, and the email address I have for Mike returns an undeliverable error. So did anyone save a copy and can help.

I have some of the pictures, though I don't know what the copyright issues might be in putting even those back. Don't even know what the issues were in originally listing the letters from BL.

Graham

[tinweevil]

Courtesy of the Wayback Machine page 1 of the thread can still be viewed as originally intended (and printed to pdf )

https://web.archive.org/web/20170116192 ... =4&t=21814

I can't figure how to get pages 2 or 3, anyone?