The Triumph Dolomite Club - Discussion Forum

Hi My white sprint is done (lee's old one) apart from the roof,(still needs the vinyl help on that would be good) and have bought a 1300cc golf mk2 for my son ( just passed mot yesterday with flying colours) as the 1850 was just to much for a 1st car, however he still pine's for a white dolomite. There are two ways to go with this 1/ there is a 1300 dolomite on ebay with single headlights white 2/ there is a blue 1300cc with the with twin headlights which will need to be re sprayed white .

so is possible/ easy to convert a single headlight to a twin to make it look like a 1500cc upwards.? and has anyone done it?

The cost of the respray is £400.00, but to keep it the same colour/original as possible?

any advice as usual is most welcoming.

many thanks

Gary

Hi Gary

Other members will have a different opinions on this but... I would ask, is it worth it to make a lower spec car look like a higher spec car? I have my own opinions on this but that's not answering your question!

However, I would say that yes, it is possible to convert a single headlamp car to twin headlamps. To do it properly you will need to change the inner valance, that could be done with the club repair panels, you would also need the outer headlamp retaining panels, surround and grill. Then source 4 lights, these are pretty easy to source. Then you would need to modify the wiring loom. I think to do it properly you would need to remove the wings to gain access to the inner valence.

Or you could just wait for a 1500HL to come up?

James

It's not easy per-say, as said the panels behind the lights are different so you'd have to cut them out and weld new ones in. I'd agree that you'd need to take the wings off to do this properly as you'd not get good enough access otherwise.

Probably easier to wait for a 1500HL spec car to crop up for sale to be honest, I also find that the square lights are quite a lot better at actually being lights. The quad round lamps look pretty cool but on a dark and twisty road they leave a lot to be desired...

Why not keep him in the 1300 Golf as a first car, IMO its a good choice, has plenty of street cred, modifiable, reliable, safe, not TOO fast etc...

Keep the 1850 for when he/you feel that he can handle it and spend a bit more time making it perfect?

The blue "1300" is actually an early 1850 that has been downgraded.

It will have the advantage of being tax free and can then be put back to how it should be later...

I'm quite tempted to save it but its still a tad dear.....and the paint job is non original to say the least.

I'd wait for the price to drop a bit.... Its been on a while...

Jonners

Inner valance repairs are £52 per side, headlamp mounting panels are £38 per side. That is £180 plus a set of lights, say £60 minimum and you then need bezels and front grilles... £250+ goes a long way towards a HL...

Hi many thanks, so how easy is it to drop a 1300 in the 1850 body? engine, gear box prop? back axle? I presume the dolomite 1300 and the Toledo 1300 are the same engine, what else has the dolly 1300. many thanks for the advice once again.

many thanks

Gary

The subframe and radiators are also different.

The 'nuts and bolts' elements are relatively easy, the biggest 'issue' you will face is the loom; the 1300 alternator for example is on the opposite side of the engine to the 1850, so you'll find the connections are no longer conveniently located...

Converting an 1850 to 1300 power would be a totally daft thing to do.
Just run around in a real 1300 until the lad is old enough to insure the real thing.

Or just buy the one that's already been mucked up, and then put it back the way it should be.

Jonners