The Triumph Dolomite Club - Discussion Forum

I might have to sell my 1977 1850HL, manual with overdrive. I have known this car since 1980 when my wife's brother bought it, and so know the history. I acquired it at the end of 2016 after he had dry stored it for 26 years, having waxoiled it first.

The body is in very good condition only ever having had welded repairs to the front part of both sills. Doors are solid, wheel arches are not corroded, and everything underneath is in good condition. It has just passed an MOT with no problems. There is some deterioration at the ends of the front valance, and also at the bottom of the front screen pillars.

I renewed all the brakes and springs and dampers. It had a new starter motor and fuel pump.

The engine has covered about 75,000 miles. When I got it I stripped the engine and found it in excellent condition. I honed the bores and fitted new rings, new crankshaft shells, new timing chain and a new water pump. The overdrive gearbox works perfectly. The interior is as it left the factory. It hasn't been touched and is still in good condition and remarkably comfortable.

The biggest issue is the paintwork. It had a cheap respray when I first took it over and it wasn't done well. The paint on the roof has blistered and there are some other blemishes, for example on the bonnet. I fitted it with Sprint wheels.

It is a great runner and this year has completed a 1200 mile trip from Scotland to the south coast of England, and also an 800 mile round trip to the Silverstone Classic in August.

So what is it worth? What would an enthusiast wish to pay for it? It supplies reliable transport but needs cosmetic attention.

Mike

Recent ebay sales of 1850s range from circa £2k (i) for one with poor paint and its cylinder head in the boot to £7k (ii) for a very nice sorted example. I'd suggest your's ranks in the upper part in between, but at the end of the day it's worth what someone is prepared to pay...

(i) https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Triumph-Dolo ... 7675.l2557

(ii) https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Triumph-Dolo ... 7675.l2557

xvivalve wrote: ↑Mon Oct 10, 2022 7:46 pm
(i) https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Triumph-Dolo ... 7675.l2557

I know who bought that and he dropped into my house with it on his way home. The body work looks pretty solid.

Mad Mart wrote: ↑Mon Oct 10, 2022 9:00 pm

xvivalve wrote: ↑Mon Oct 10, 2022 7:46 pm
(i) https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Triumph-Dolo ... 7675.l2557

I know who bought that and he dropped into my house with it on his way home. The body work looks pretty solid.

I don't disagree, but there were various shades of blue on different panels according to the photographs

The paint is likely to be a big problem I'm afraid, for two reasons. The first is a respray is horribly expensive, frankly most people would rather have knackered mechanicals. Much easier and cheaper to fix.

The second reason is every seller claims that the issues with their bodywork is cosmetic. I viewed a car were the seller claimed that and it has more filler than an ageing Hollywood actress. Buyers are going to be worried about what horror shows might potentially lurk under that respray.

Very difficult to value a car, and sale prices do seem to vary hugely on fleabay.
Location can make a serious difference too, but it all depends who wants one.

Working backwards, if reprayed and the rust sorted the car would be 6K?
Flipside is I bought a car that was probably a little worse bodywise, needing a sill, door bottom repairs and rear arches fixing along with the ends of the valances and as it turned out the headlight panels remaking. I paid £1500. Welding done, respray done and slowly polishing it back. I reckon once back together it will be worth 5-6k.

So I haven't really helped with what yours is worth. Maybe advertise for 4k? see what happens. That figure can be revised. Or if you can it painted/tidied for sensible money, it may be easier to sell and cover all those costs.

Get it down to Mathewsons Auctions (Bangers & Cash) I would think a lot of people bid without viewing the car, no come back, sold as seen etc.

The lower end classics (sub 10K) seem to be going for good money still.

This sold in September & was rough, not running, but an early example.

https://youtu.be/SwqG5UYnBHM

If you can wait until the spring,
I believe it is the best time to sell.....




Ian.

Tony Burd wrote: ↑Tue Oct 11, 2022 10:15 am Get it down to Mathewsons Auctions (Bangers & Cash) I would think a lot of people bid without viewing the car, no come back, sold as seen etc.

The lower end classics (sub 10K) seem to be going for good money still.

This sold in September & was rough, not running, but an early example.

https://youtu.be/SwqG5UYnBHM

I really don't understand the economics of such places. If I am buying a car I would want to do a test drive and give it a thorough inspection. The only way I would buy from an auction that didn't let me do that, is if they guaranteed the condition of the vehicle.

If they are not willing to offer such a guarantee, it is a massive gamble and I would expect to buy it for below market rate, to take into account the potential risk. Yet people go to auctions and pay full whack. It makes no sense to me.

Thanks everyone. I think I'll see if I can get the paint problems sorted out. The rest of the car is so good it will be worth doing.

The auction business is strange with prices often higher than for regular private sales. But then you have to pay the auction seller's fee. For Mathewsons it is 7.5% +VAT for cars between £2000 and £20,000. On the Car and Classic site you pay a minimum fee of £500, or 5% +VAT if that is more than £500. So if you only get £2000 for your motor, you have to pay £500 or 25% of the price. Seems steep.

That Dolomite that was flagged up at Mathewsons by Tony Burd is MUCH worse than my car. Mine looks great from 10 feet away and runs like a dream.