I'm in a position where I will shortly be the owner of a Classic car. I don't know much about them or how to fix them up but my other half is quite handy and I'm very willing to learn.
I would dearly love a Ford Zephyr /Zodiac but could suffer a Vitesse , TR6 or Stag. He fancies a Dolomite(having owned several).
We've been trawling the net (is this a good way to buy a car??!!) and car shows trying to sway each other - we are at stalemate.
Without getting to techy on me, I want comments on why Dolomite should be our new love.
hi what the others have said plus choice of engines from 1300,1500,1850 and 2000,all easy to repair ,get most parts,lots of advice on here , and some members near you ready to help if needed. best of luck whatever you buy
Buying off the 'net does have its risks, always take any coments like 'easy restro project', or 'wont take much to MOT' with a pince of salt. if it wont takle much to MOT why dont they do it themselves? Always pay on collection, that way you have the chance to look the car over and ensure it is as described before parting with cash and never buy a car without a log book (v5) the chassis plate on dollys is rivited to the nearside innner wing and sometimes doesnt get replaced after repair but they are not required for mot perposes on pre 1980 cars.
Ask here if you see a car you are intrested in a member may know of the car or be able to have a look at it for you before you buy. Dollys do have their down side, prone to rusty sills, chassis legs, door bottome ect but i guess similar could be said for any make of classic.
There is a very good parts supply via the club stock or forum users and endless tech and bodywork advice available.
But ....but... but.... I REALLY WANT A FORD!!! Saw a gorgeous Ford Zephyr today and I nearly cried cos I love 'em so much! I'm sure I'll fall in love with a Dolly if it was handsome enough but my heart is for ford with his gorgeous body and classic chiseled, angular wings! Swoon!!!
I think I always just fancied some older than me and something that doesn't look like my grandads old Lada.....<doll stands back andd waits for the onslaught>
If you really really want a Zephyr then go for it. Lovely cars, I love all the fins and chrome and stuff. I just wouldn't want one all the time.
That's the nice thing about all the Dolomites, they are very usable cars, still well capable of a daily commute (and getting the tail out at every roundabout in the process) but with a bit of character. If you haven't had a go in one yet I'd reccommend it as they are a really nice car.
I'd never considered a dolly until I desperately needed a car a few years ago for a new job. My mate was selling one but it needed working on. My wife thought it looked like a lada initially, but whole family ended up loving it. Mine had done 100000+ and still managed an arduous 40 + round trip to work every day.
Easy to repair, play with, parts generally available and a great drive to boot (none of your dull, sterile drive like most new cars).
It has character and builds character
Have fun you (probably won't regret it)
A zeph or zod or even a Vitesse will feel like a very old car compared to a dolomite in terms of driveability, comfort and performance. Both Tr6 and Stag are from different stables and should not be compared to either the fords of the dolly as they are all different animals; both are good soft top options, but no competitor for the dolomite.
I have to say, a Dolomite is one of the most practical, good looking and nicest to drive classic cars you can get! I drive my Sprint from London to Poole and back (120 miles each way) around once a month. Brilliant on the motorway too
1978 Triumph Dolomite Sprint (project thread)
1966 Volkswagen 1300 (project thread)
1962 Austin Mini (project)
1962 MGA 1600 Mark II
1965 Mobylette SP50 (project)
2001 Rover 75 2.5-litre V6
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cried cos I love 'em so much! I'm sure I'll fall in love with a Dolly if it was handsome enough but my heart is for ford with his gorgeous body and classic chiseled, angular wings! Swoon!!! 
