First run out and what a back story

Restoring your car? Tell us about it here!
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manny
TDC Member
Posts: 16
Joined: Sat Nov 02, 2024 3:09 pm

First run out and what a back story

#1 Post by manny »

First run out today since I took possession of the car. I needed to fit new tyres after the others had perished. I took the opportunity to have the wheels shot blasted and powder coated back to the standard look ( I have a great contact in Chesterfield for shot blasting and powder coating). Running a little rough but she has been stood a while.

I have traced the last two of the previous keepers. One drove the car to Crete 0ver 20 years ago when he emigrated (2400 miles). The car then made 5 journeys to and from Crete to the UK in his ownership!!!! It eventually broke down so he parked it in a field in Crete. A second ex pat, who was also living on the island, saw the car and purchased it. He then had it restored in Crete but sadly fell ill and died, never seeing the car completed. His widow returned to the UK last year and shipped the car back home.
I placed this post on our FB page and, guess what, a lady replied stating that over 20 years ago she was on holiday in Crete when she saw an old, dusty sad looking Dolomite parked at the side of the road. She was so shocked seeing a car on UK plates and being a fan of the Dolomite, that she took several photographs of the car. She then only went and dug them out for me and, no surprise, the car was my Dolomite. The pictures are attached.

What a story and what a life and service this little car has had. It now deserves some pampering and love.
My investigation continues as I have to trace another 3 owners to complete the full picture. This may prove difficult.
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Matt Cotton
TDC Oxfordshire Area Organiser
Posts: 492
Joined: Sun Oct 08, 2006 4:32 pm

Re: First run out and what a back story

#2 Post by Matt Cotton »

What a great story and a lovely car you have there - a real survivor!

I am sure our Dolly Mixture editor would welcome an article about your car and the story behind it.

Enjoy the car.

Best wishes

MC
Matt Cotton

TDC Oxfordshire Area Organiser.
TDC/TSSC group meeting - 3rd Tuesday of the month


1980 1500HL - OPD
1976 Sprint - SWU
DoloWIGHTY
Guest contributor
Guest contributor
Posts: 75
Joined: Thu Apr 14, 2022 2:55 pm

Re: First run out and what a back story

#3 Post by DoloWIGHTY »

Fantastic, well done you! So good to see a 1500HL Dolomite restored to such a high standard in original specification too. Made my day seeing this. Thanks for posting this and the story up.
eveshamcroft
TDC Editor
Posts: 99
Joined: Tue Jan 18, 2011 11:22 am

Re: First run out and what a back story

#4 Post by eveshamcroft »

well what a great story. How about sending it in to me so I can use it in Dolly Mixture.
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