Wanted, Dolomite Automatic

[Kooge0]

Hi All

My first message on what appears to be an excellent site

A little bit of background info; I have been the proud owner of a BMW Z3, Manual, that has been loved and cherished for the last 10 years....concourse condition + show winner

Due to nerve damage in my left leg, I now have no option other than swapping it for a classic automatic.

One of my first cars was a Dolomite 1850HL Manual which I always appreciated.

My ideal Dolomite would be the 1850HL or Sprint, Automatic, that needs a new home and is a complete runner with all major restoration work already completed.

One thing I can guarantee, if I can successfully locate the above (probably harder than I imagined ) it will cared for as if it was one of my own children

I look forward to any offers, and chatting with all members in the future.

Take care

Paul

[xvivalve]

Welcome!

I bought a light accident damaged automatic Sprint a couple of years ago; it's sitting in my unit where I've replaced the front offside wing but that is still in bare metal and I've addressed some other areas cutting out minor rot on the external bodywork (OSF wing) and let in new metal prior to painting.

It arrived with a flat battery and I've yet to have it running, but it's a 60k mile car, so generally in good order elsewhere; not perfect as previously owned and driven by elderly owner...the driver's door has been replaced prior to my ownership, presumably as the damage to that couldn't be 'lived with' whilst the damage to the wing could. The door is the correct colour, but a slight shade difference is apparent.

You'll probably have seen the automatic Sprint that Robsport currently have on ebay? I'd consider this car to be a far easier recommission than that one.

It's located in Stourport on Severn in Worcestershire if you're tempted to view? It's tucked into a corner at the moment on flat tyres, but I'll try to get some photographs next visit...

[Kooge0]

Hi Xvivalve

Many thanks for your reply.

Yes, I had seen the Sprint offered by Robsport, but I'm afraid I do not have the time available to carry out a full restoration.

My strong preference is for a car that has been returned to a complete runner; that needs a loving home and to keep it road worthy with all that entails.

I would still love to see your Sprint...........you never know, I could be easily persuaded to change my mind

The following car is an example of what started me on the road to join the Dolomite Club..........is this car owned by a club member?

https://www.themodernclassiccarco.com/s ... spage.html

Once again, many thanks

[Carledo]

Here is a possibly controversial post!

If you are buying an automatic version, it's my considered opinion that the 1850 is a better car!

And here's why! You'll pay a whole lot more for a Sprint in the same condition and the Sprint's extra performance is considerably blunted by the automatic transmission. In addition, the 1850 has a taller final drive ratio for more relaxed cruising and better fuel economy, 3.27/1 compared with the Sprint's 3.45/1. It's not practical to fit the 3.27 diff to a Sprint, the axle isn't strong enough (I blew up several 3.27s in my GT6) but it's enough in an 1850 auto which is less prone to misuse than when used in a manual car. Most manual Sprints have overdrive as standard (or optioned) giving a better cruise, but you can't get overdrive on the auto which leaves the Sprint auto feeling severely undergeared.

That 1850 you linked is a very nice example and IMO very fairly priced for what it is! You'd have to add another 50% to that price, were it an auto Sprint!

My only quibble with the 1850 auto is that it doesn't come with a trans cooler like the Sprint auto does. It WAS a cost option on the 1850 but not often taken up as it was deemed (by the factory) un-necessary unless the car was regularly used for towing. My own experience suggests otherwise and were I to own one one, a trans cooler would be my first upgrade! fortunately it's not that hard to do!

Steve

[ClassicFan]

That 1850 you linked is a very nice example and IMO very fairly priced for what it is! You'd have to add another 50% to that price, were it an auto Sprint!

Steve

Unfortunately that's a link to a car that was sold 4 years ago Steve (I contacted the 'seller') and values have changed since then....

[xvivalve]

Paul,

This looks reasonable for the money, not an original colour and needs a bit of TLC and potentially a bit of a trek to collect:

https://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-mot ... ACK_SINGLE

[Rgf]

Good morning ,ive just seen this posting for wanted auto 1850hl. Ive got one that ive just decided to sell its a brooklands green one on a W plate, a turn key vechicle ive had for 2 years but only used in summer time for occasional trips out. WHATSAPP me for more information and pictures , car located in bolton or kendal which ever nearest for you to view. REGARDS ROBIN 07835602156