The Triumph Dolomite Club - Discussion Forum

Just received a copy of the "Motor" Jan 1972 review of the Dolomite (1850).

Was intrigued to read a particular line: "Starting Handle - No"

Well that's a relief but it did leave me wondering what the last Triumph (Standard?) or indeed UK produced car was that did actually have a starting handle. Later than I would think, I expect.

Cheers
Jeff

I'd say last model launched would be the TR2/3, the last made the Herald.

Useful tools, a lot of folk could get themselves home at least if we still had them!

My newest car to have a starter would have been a 64 Morris Oxford and they made them up until 71 with the Wolseley 16/60, but the Moggie thou's were still being built upto K reg IIRC and would still have had them. Useful for setting tappets too.

The citroen GS also had a starting handle and was a very advanced car for its day with flat four air coold engine, the citroen suspension and advanced aerodynamics. Shame they didnt build it better.

Jonners

They weren't supplied with them, but series 3 Landies had a hole in the front bumper for one - I don't know if they had the corresponding thingummy on the front of the crank though...

It's a dog, Nick.

A kit to add the starter dog and a bush to support the handle in the n/s inner wing was available for minis until comparatively recently, just turn to full left lock, insert the handle through the inner arch under the radiator and away you could go in your generator-equipped mini in winter.
Maybe the increasing use of alternators saw the demise of the good old starting handle?

I too had a Morris Oxford, a February, 1964 example, 4388DG and that started easily on the handle so I always used it in preference to the starter switch. Quite unnecessary ordinarily, but that, and my A60s, only had one decent battery between them and it was DG's engine that was easiest to start with the handle, so it never received the good battery.

Hillman Imps had handles, and they were present until the end of production in 1975 afaik.
I think that Citroen had done away with starting handles by the time this 1977/78 GSX2 was built:

Whilst the Mini accommodated it, I'd say front wheel drive was its nemesis...along with overdrive

Lada Niva still had starting handles in the 1980s

xvivalve wrote:I'd say last model launched would be the TR2/3, the last made the Herald.

Useful tools, a lot of folk could get themselves home at least if we still had them!

Early TR4s had starter handles and holes in the radiator to accommodate it. The TR4A had a hole in the grille and the dent in the front valance for a starter handle, but I don't think there was a hole in the radiator. The TR5 used the same valance, but didn't have the hole in the grille. (Can you tell that I have my anorak on? It is very cold!)

NickMorgan wrote:

xvivalve wrote:I'd say last model launched would be the TR2/3, the last made the Herald.

Useful tools, a lot of folk could get themselves home at least if we still had them!

Early TR4s had starter handles and holes in the radiator to accommodate it. The TR4A had a hole in the grille and the dent in the front valance for a starter handle, but I don't think there was a hole in the radiator. The TR5 used the same valance, but didn't have the hole in the grille. (Can you tell that I have my anorak on? It is very cold!)

As I have owned a TR4 & a TR5 and wife Diane owned TR4 and a TR4A I was about to say what you did, so we both are comfortable wearing our anoraks

Starting handles would just confuse the yoof of today, let's bring them back.

i remember both our 89 and 97 year lada riva's had starting handles ,,which contrasted wildly to the latter cars ecu adjusted carburettor

A useful thing to keep to the side of the driver's seat too and a legitimate one at that!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crank_(me ... th_Century

Let us not forget the Citroen 2CV, which retained the engine starting-handle facility until car production ceased in 1990.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citro%C3%ABn_2CV

Some military specification, 1968~79 VW Type 2s also had a starting handle.

My '59 Morris Oxford has an optional one. Showed how confident they were with their starter motors. Have used it though...

SprintMWU773V wrote:Starting handles would just confuse the yoof of today, let's bring them back.

With modern compressions and cluelessness of average yoof quite a few would find themselves with broken arms or launched clean over the armco. Yeah, bring 'em back. And see if we can make attempting to start a cold car on a suspension bridge the next youtube phenomenon.