2 door Toledo vs Sprint

[Karlos]

It is interesting to see that over the last couple of years the 2 door Toledo is gaining in popularity and due to it's rarity seems to me to be rising in value both in price and more importantly desirability.

I own an 1850 HL, it seems that the 'base' models from the 60's and 70's are catching up fast with the perceived 'more desirable' models of the era. When I owned my first Dolomite back in 1991 I would never have considered a non HL badged or non Sprint spec car, but now I would definitely grab a 2 door and even trade in my 1850 HL for it.

I think it is a good thing that the lower spec, push-rod engine cars are seeing this rise in desirability. It is good for their owners and also good for the higher spec'd cars as the higher spec can still demand a justifiable premium. With the number of 2 Door models decreasing I think we shall see the rarity value push their values higher and make them close the gap on the allegedly more 'sought after models'.

[cliftyhanger]

I got the impression they are souight after not for rarity, but more on the basis they are lighter (and probably more rigid)

Guess this is chicken and egg, more people want them for that reason, get harder to find, price goes up.

But as it is easy enough to swap all parts around, the badge becomes irrelevant.

Which reminds me, I must get on with my Toledo, been sat nearly a year

[maximus]

I bought my two door as I wanted something retro/rally looking. I hadn't thought of the sprint as it had 4 doors but the sprint is a more practical car if you have a family, or any 4 door model dolly/tolly. There are still a few 2 doors about for sale and I try to post anything Toledo related on facebook here :
https://www.facebook.com/groups/388687557952769/

There are a couple of two doors for sale I know of but as always there are people that have messed the guy about and eventually he will probably keep them. In the last few months there have been a two door sprint project that went for £250 right up to a pristine 4 door that sold in the region of £6000.
If your interested or just want to chat add yourself to the page, you never know you might be the new owner of a tolly

[Jon Tilson]

Triumph missed another opportunity in not making a 2 door version with Sprint mechanicals, or even TR7 ones come to that...

2 door toledo shell with 105 ho tr7 engine and Sprint box and diff would be a nice robust machine and decently
quick too.

Jonners

[Karlos]

Would a 2 litre Toledo ever have sold? The fuel crisis of the 70`s would mean it would not fit in -too small, too expensive, too thirsty. As a drivers car -yep sounds great but it would be competing against its own stable mates as well as the Alfas and Lancia's of the day.

[alangraham]

Having owned a 1500HL and a Sprint back in the early eighties when they were new, I had to decide which Dolomite to go for when I decided I wanted to own one again. Cost wasn't an issue this time.
The 1300 would have been a sensible choice because it has a bullet proof engine, but I preferred the HL looks.
I ruled out the Sprint because I didn't fancy the maintenance again.
The 1500HL had been a reasonable car so I settled for one again - simple pushrod technology. Similar cabin to Sprint.
The 1850 was the one I didn't know anything about - and with hindsight I think it's the one I should have gone for. I've since heard that the 1500 has a weak bottom end and the 1850 slant is more reliable. I've fitted a new big end and thrust washers to my 1500 so hopefully regular oil changes and sensible driving will preserve it.
Interestingly, I read those weekly classic car newspapers and a trader in there was reported as saying that the value of small Triumphs was rising fast, and that anything Triumph badged would sell.
also, according to these newspapers, it sounds like the biggest threat to our cars is ethanol fuel.

[cliftyhanger]

I don't see ethanol fuel as a threat, just a hurdle.

People who do not pay attention to minor stuff (ie fuel hose quality being the main one, and the laughable stainless braided, pretty but no brand/spec, types) will be the ones who have issues.

The bigger issue, that dolomite etc owners have been facing for years is the lack of certain parts. The panel situation is becoming reliant on individuals (both here and with the big saloons) but the supply of mechanical parts is also under threat. At the moment from so much tat on the market, bought by people who find the cheapest on ebay, but also as the established suppliers start to go through changes. Fitchetts? anybody know what is happening there? I heard a rumour that another larger manufacturer of innovative parts may also be looking to sell the business in the future.
My advice, stock up on the essential rare stuff. I have a few sets on NOS ball joints and a few boxes of what I deem to be the "hard to find" stuff. And no, I won't be parting with any of it until I no longer own the car.