Dolomite equipment levels

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VYO 372M

Dolomite equipment levels

#1 Post by VYO 372M »

In my opinion the early Dolomite 1850 was a very well equipped car of the period.

Even today, after 36 years since production started, they are still pretty good by modern standards, well in as much as comparing them to entry level hatchbacks for example.

Things like drivers seat height adjustment, adjustable steering wheel for rake and reach (how many cars can boast that even today), multi-function warning light system, twin reversing lights, inertia reel seat belts, heated rear window, cigar ligther etc.

While some of these features may not seem much today, in the early 70s they were the sign of a very well equipped car.

When the Dolomite 1850 first arrived on the scene they were quite a bargain really, that was until prices started to rise sharply upwards in 1975/76.

When I bought my first Dolomite, a 1500 HL in 1988, I was amazed at the equipment level this car had for a 1976 car.

Even my friends at the time, who had much more modern machinery than my Dolomite, were flabbergasted when they realised mine had fully adjustable steering column and theirs didn't.

Steve :D
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SprintMWU773V
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#2 Post by SprintMWU773V »

I've always thought that at the time the Dolomite's particularly HL spec ones were very well appointed. It's not just the steering wheel adjust that gets me but also the seat belt reminder light, the hazard light switch and proper cloth interior. Many of these things were missing from lesser cars back in the day.

Things have all gone a bit silly now with even small cars these days come with a/c, electric this and that which all ads weight!
Mark

1961 Chevrolet Corvair Greenbrier Sportswagon
1980 Dolomite Sprint project using brand new shell
2009 Mazda MX5 2.0 Sport
2018 Infiniti Q30
VYO 372M

#3 Post by VYO 372M »

SprintMWU773V wrote:It's not just the steering wheel adjust that gets me but also the seat belt reminder light, the hazard light switch and proper cloth interior.
Its been a while since I owned any type of Dolomite so to speak, and to be honest, I had forgotten about they had a seat belt warning light fitted as standard.

They must have been pretty close to being one of the first to offer such a system.

Steve :D
Nick C

#4 Post by Nick C »

SprintMWU773V wrote:Things have all gone a bit silly now with even small cars these days come with a/c, electric this and that which all ads weight!
Isn't that the whole point of this new Tata super-cheap thing, they've stripped off all the frills to just give a very basic car. Filling an obvious gap in the market that everyone else seems to have missed!
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#5 Post by SprintMWU773V »

The Tata thing is all well and good but it would never sell here as people are acustomed to a certain level of "luxury". It'll go down a storm in the "developing" world though and also if all goes to plan people will be able to buy a Jaguar bodykit for it!
Mark

1961 Chevrolet Corvair Greenbrier Sportswagon
1980 Dolomite Sprint project using brand new shell
2009 Mazda MX5 2.0 Sport
2018 Infiniti Q30
Jon Tilson
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In the early

#6 Post by Jon Tilson »

1960's even supposedly upmarket cars like the Wolseley 1500 came in a fleet version in which the "heater" was an optional extra...

Jonners
Note from Admin: sadly Jon passed away in February 2018 but his humour and wealth of knowledge will be fondly remembered by all. RIP Jonners.
VYO 372M

Re: In the early

#7 Post by VYO 372M »

Jon Tilson wrote:1960's even supposedly upmarket cars like the Wolseley 1500 came in a fleet version in which the "heater" was an optional extra...Jonners
How things have moved on, and the amount of things we take for granted today.

Imagine walking into a showroom in 2008 and the salesman turns to you and says "would you like it to come with a heater sir" :lol:

Steve :D
11959

#8 Post by 11959 »

they have drivers seat height adjustment?!!!
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#9 Post by DavePoth »

11959 wrote:they have drivers seat height adjustment?!!!
Yup. There's a grab handle at the front middle of the seat which does the up/down, the one on the runner does fore/aft, and the one at the back does the back.
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#10 Post by Stagger »

Some would say too many warning lights. Mk1 Stags had a high engine temperature waning light. BL issued dealers with a service bulletin to snip the wire off the sender!
Intermittant wipers would have been more use than seat belt warning and low fuel lights. - or did BL expect the fuel gauge to pack up?
Four ash trays was a must in the 70s though.
Mark.
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I agree....

#11 Post by Jon Tilson »

Since my P6 rover has intermittent wipe I cant see why it wasnt done on the dolomite.
I'd also have gladly sacrificed some of the fripperies for a decent set of electrics with a relay for the starter solenoid, headlamp high beam and a few more fuses. The Stag and P6 both have these features and it would have added all of a fiver to the production cost.

As time went on it would have been nice to have a leather seat option and maybe e/windows and c/locking

Buy yes the catch phrase was...

"Triumph put in what the others leave out"

err except the fuses and relays that is...

But I'm being churlish...the Dolly had that touch of class about the interior especially and thats whay I loved it and still do...

Jonners
Note from Admin: sadly Jon passed away in February 2018 but his humour and wealth of knowledge will be fondly remembered by all. RIP Jonners.
11959

#12 Post by 11959 »

DavePoth wrote:
11959 wrote:they have drivers seat height adjustment?!!!
Yup. There's a grab handle at the front middle of the seat which does the up/down, the one on the runner does fore/aft, and the one at the back does the back.
wow, i've owned my (second) dolly for almost six months and i never knew that. that's made my day :D
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