The Triumph Dolomite Club - Discussion Forum

I posted in the wanted section that I wanted a tidy dolomite.

Well, I don't make things easy for myself.

I've just bought this:








The plan? 10 days, painted, MOT'd, Taxed, Insured and tuned up.

Currently it needs two bits of welding, one on the front valance and one bit on the boot floor. No doubt I'll find more.

The engine is a peach. It's like new except for that it needs a damn good setting up, carbs aren't balanced, distributor has a nail where the carbon brush should be and the rocker cover leaks oil on to the exhaust.

It has new Spax adjustables all round and a full stainless exhaust but it does need a set of tyres.

I'll be posting daily with updates to keep my 10 day deadline on track.

Wish me luck!

Day 2:

Interior out. Solid, solid floors.




I've started sanding down a load of the primer while it was outside (the wind probably did me a favour) and can now see how much filler it needs to make straight. Every panel has light dents and/or welding work that needs to be made right.

So, I decided to move my brothers project out of the garage and move mine in for a couple of days (depending on wind).




Engine bay is grubby and has nasty matt black paint, but is solid and unwelded which is a big plus. I'll pop the engine out in a few months and paint it all up under there. No rush on that now though.



While it's in the garage, I have this crusty front panel to sort out....

Lots and lots of wire brushing, welding and filling due here.


Thanks to the guide coat we can now see where this needs filler. Much of it is due to welding in new metal. The welding seems very solid, though it does need a fair bit of tidying up. The rear arch is all over the place too.



I've also drilled the front grill off, removed the chrome (but half-bloody primered) chrome strips from the door shuts. Masked off a load of other interior parts that I don't want to disturb and removed the rear screen.
Then I masked up the engine bay as best I could and started removing all of the surface rust that had started to show through in places where it has been primed over bare metal.



I've also started filling a few small dents on the wings. I managed to push most of the rear panel damage out and hammer it such that it's solid again. I put the first skim of filler on that too.


I've found a new hole in the a-pillar door shut, no doubt caused by the silicon that was pumped in there (quality move). I'll have to weld that up today (day 3) and smooth it all off along with the welding on the front valance.
Today is going to be a bit limited as I've got to do a 150 mile round trip at 2:00 and I have other work to do this morning. Looks like I'll be in the garage until midnight again.

Love it!

Wow, you're fond of a treat!
Well done for taking this on, it's a brave move to finish what someone else started but it certainly doesn't seem too bad and I wish you success with the job.
Don't be too dismayed if your deadline is stretched a bit, 10 days is ambitious in the extreme but you clearly know what you're about so keep the pictures coming, this one should make good reading.

Good luck to you.What colour scheme are you going for?

Thanks folks....

I'm thinking something like Carmine red (original triumph colour isn't it?) and I've sourced someone very local who can put a new vinyl roof on for me.



Day 3 was a complete dud - I didn't get home until late and when I did I was too tired to do anything so I went to bed early.

Started again this morning so getting plenty done today.

One thing that did happen yesterday was the package from Rimmer Bros arrived. Bootlid, side window rubbers, carbon brush for the dizzy cap (caps are £25???!!!!) and a rocker cover gasket.
The bootlid was used but is in excellent condition so It'll soon be as good as new.

I'm off to the garage to remove some more of my fingerprints.

Good to see you over here too, you're really cracking on!
(Elmo from RR)

Day 4:

Day 3 went down the pan, I never got round to doing anything, but Day 4 has seen some progress.

I've filled all remaining dents but ran out of sand paper...so I thought it would do no harm to prime the lot ready for another sand down tomorrow (today) when I've got more paper.








Rear panel has straightened out nicely.


Now all that remains is a serious sand down to straighten out all the panels (and filler) and then it'll get one more prime, a much more careful flatting back before the top coat.

Still a LOT of sanding work to do though.

I left the light rings in because they were already primed by the last guy....i thought i'd give them a proper coat then them off for the matt black treatment. I've not seen this car in one piece so I have no idea how much you can see of them??

Also, my headlining is knackered....are they still available or will I have to repair this one?

Since it's a solid colour, I'm going to paint the bodyshell seperate of the doors and bonnet etc. I can get a much neater shot at the door shuts etc then. Otherwise it's a case of masking off the door shuts once painted and that never ends up as neat as I want it.

The paint on the floor is in really good condition so I'm going to leave it be.

Stolen.

Not now though, back in 2008. There was a thread about it on here. Reg no. is CHM 4V (fitting for the first 4 valve saloon car?!)

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=7955&p=74335#p74335

Wonder what the whole story with it is?! Anyone know?




....


It was either stolen twice or was missing for a looong time.

http://www.club.triumph.org.uk/cgi-bin/ ... 136050013/


I hope it's still not stolen. lol - Though I have the V5. Thought it was strange the guy wanted to do a deal in a balaclava....he also specified that there be no police present, which is strange for a simple car sale.

You're doing very well. Think you could do with Chip Foose and the Overhaulin team there to help out a bit.

I'd do a Hpi check if I was you.

http://www.hpicheck.com/


Just for peace of mind.

Yep, rang metropolitan police and it hadn't been taken off the DB so still registered as recorded.

They're happy that it's a legit car now so it's being taken off.

Just bought the paint. Rover Flame Red....will look lovely I think.

Looking forward to seeing the finished car. You've certainly made some huge progress.

Steve