1975 Triumph Dolomite Sprint |

Closed Auction- Unsold

1975 Triumph Dolomite Sprint

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Mileage~82,665
TransmissionAutomatic
Engine2.0-litres
LocationCamberly, Surrey

AUCTION CLOSED

1975 Triumph Dolomite Sprint

Introduction

Darren Rungasamy

Automotive Editor, Photographer and Consigner

Useable with handsome styling, an ideal starter classic.

The Triumph Dolomite evolved from a succession of sharp-suited Michelotti-penned cars from the 1960s, but Triumph's ultimate version of their mid-sized saloon debuted in 1973. The development team manufactured the world's first mass-produced multi-valve engine, developed for use in motorsports, and cleverly marketed it at the performance-luxury end of the market. The end result was one of the first production cars to employ a 16 Valve engine and enough acceleration to beat a Citroen SM. With standard alloy wheels (also a first for a British production car), twin exhaust pipes, lowered suspension, vinyl top, and that discreet but iconic front spoiler, the car had a distinct style.

This 1975 model is finished in French Blue and is fitted with the rare automatic transmission option. It features a few handy upgrades that make it simpler to live with, such as an electric fan, electronic ignition, Bluetooth MP3 player, and a pair of modern front sports seats. This early example of the iconic sports saloon has enjoyed a charmed life thanks in part to it being taken off the road and stored for 24 years in 1986. It was sympathetically recommissioned in 2010 and has been cherished ever since. The current owner has also spent an additional £10,000 on the car over the last six years.

This auction listing was written from information supplied by Darren after meeting Dave the owner, and having visited and photographed the vehicle.

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Secure Auctions

We verify all our sellers and buyers to keep our community safe whilst also providing the highest levels of website security.

Full Transparency

8 out of 10 people that buy cars via our service don’t feel the need to visit due to the transparency and thoroughness of our listings.

Vehicle Delivery

We're there every step of your buying journey and will even arrange pick-up and delivery of your new vehicle.

Meet the owner

It has a really well-engineered feel but is also practical too.

Dave bought the car as it was similar to one that his father owned when they were new. Having come across one to replace his Ford Anglia, he was impressed with the car's solid body and decent history.

Despite having other classic cars in his collection, the Triumph does still get to see use, with it appearing in local classic car shows and the fair-weather weekend drive.

Dave has not decided whether the Dolomite will be replaced, or whether the proceeds of the sale will go towards the upkeep of his other cars.

Dave

Vehicle Owner

Ask Questions

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Exterior
Interior
Mechanics
History
All Images

EXTERIOR VIDEO

Exterior

The car has undergone a sympathetic restoration and we understand much of the panel work is original.

Wheels and Tyres

The distinctive Sprint alloy wheels are in excellent shape, with no rim damage. The Tigar tyres are over 10 years old, and likely to have been fitted around the time the car was restored. They look in good condition, with decent tread.

Bodywork

The car has resisted the ravages of time well and looks to have retained much of its original metalwork.

The floor pan and subframe mountings are solid, with no issues noted in the engine bay or boot areas. The inner wings look in good shape. The sills also look solid, with no significant issues noted on the wheel arches, just minor blemishes on the lowest of the inner lips.

A quick check under the carpet in the nearside front footwell reveals some superficial issues but nothing that has penetrated too deeply. The offside front leading edge of the car, above the offside headlamps, shows under paint blemishes.

Overall, the panel fit looks very good, with a good flow throughout - the car is free from dents and all doors open and close without issues.

Please take the time to look through the hi-resolution images we have taken for a more detailed look at the exterior.

Paint

The French Blue paint has good coverage and retains a decent lustre. The colour match is generally good, with the front wings and bonnet being slightly lighter than the rest of the car. There is also a darker paint patch on the scuttle below the off-side corner of the rear glass.

Overall the car is free from chips, with just a light scratch noticed on the nearside rear wing and very minor marks on some of the door edges.

The images taken are from various angles and reflections to show the car as you would see it if you were standing there for yourselves and for you to make your own minds up on the condition.

Glass and Trim

The roof has a few blemishes under the vinyl and is showing light signs of age towards the nearside rear corner.

The chrome is presentable, particularly the bumpers. The rest of the chrome is presentable with evidence of wear in places.

The glass is good with no damage and their seals are decent, with some rubber showing dabs of paint in places.

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INTERIOR VIDEO

Interior

Plush and well furnished, the cabin has a few surprises too.

Seats and Carpets

The car is fitted with a pair of Rover 200 front seats, which add a notable element of comfort. They're in good shape with no significant damage, just light wear on the driver side bolster and a few scratches on the plastic casing. Importantly, the original items also come as part of the sale.

The nylon back seat is good, with the odd blemish but has generally worn well. The carpets are all in good shape and are all dry, with several mats helping to protect them. The door cards are decent with intact wood cappings.

Dashboard

The dashboard presents nicely, with no significant cracks or distracting damage. The car's appealing veneer fascia is good, with just minor wear noted. The dials, controls and switches look good, with minor wear on the bezels, all function as expected. The car has been fitted with a Bluetooth MP3 player, with front and rear parcel shelf mounted speakers.

Steering Wheel / Gear Stick

The steering wheel is in good shape and the gear shifter and centre console casing are decent too.

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'ON THE ROAD' VIDEO

Mechanics

Triumph's BMW beater, the Sprint is a true sports saloon.

Engine and Gearbox

The engine runs well on the move with no issues with starting and no evidence of excessive smoke on the day.

All dashboard lights remained off. It idles with a little vibration but is said to be significantly better than it was prior to the auto box rebuild. It doesn't appear to stall at any point.

The gear change is slick and is relaxed in slow, stop/start traffic and smooth on the open road.

The engine is cleanly presented, suggesting regular maintenance. No fluid leaks were observed.

Dave has reported that the oil pressure and engine temperature remain stable when the car is in use.

Suspension and Brakes

The brakes were without issues and in line with the age of the car's abilities. No vibrations on the steering wheel were noted upon braking or acceleration. The ride is good, with no knocking or rumbles from the wheels. It corners neatly with no unwanted noises.

The Drive

An impressive performer back in the day with a dash of style, this Dolomite Sprint has a much more leisurely lifestyle these days, sharing a clean and well-kept garage with Dave's fleet of well-kept classics.

The short drive was cosseted and very comfortable, yet still has an urge of power which sounds glorious when opened up. Its character certainly encourages brisk driving, no doubt helped by the positive mechanical upkeep.

The Triumph's driving position is also why the car attracted so much praise when new, with notably good ergonomics and controls layout.

Electrics and Other

The car has a fully operational electric rear aerial, as well as an electric fan and electronic ignition for that extra peace of mind.

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History and Paperwork

The car comes with over £10,000 worth of spending over the last 6 years.

Sold at a North West London Triumph dealer to a Company Director when new, the car retains a handful of its original artefacts from its first owner. It was believed to have been taken off the road in 1986 and stored for 24 years. In 2010 the car was subject to a bare metal respray along with an engine rebuild, with a host of new parts as well as an interior refit.

Since obtaining the car, Dave has spent over £10,000 on the car, including the addition of an electric fan and electronic ignition. On top of this, the car saw a gearbox rebuild, following a new torque converter, carb refurb and a radiator recore courtesy of WinSpeed last year. The car also saw new paintwork around this time.

Prior to this recent work, the Dolomite also saw a service in 2019, an exhaust, replacement steering rack and prop shaft rebuild in 2017. Older invoices show a steady stream of spending since its restoration.

A previous owner also has obtained a DVLA record of the previous keepers, as well as a heritage copy of the factory record. The car has been MOT'd regularly since 2010 and the current issue expires in October 2022.

We’ve done all include seller checks, including photo ID, and V5 and also actioned an HPi check on the vehicle.

We've summarised our view on the car based on information gained from the seller in the listing above, however, and as you can see, we go to great lengths to photograph and video the car in hi-resolution detail - this has been done for you to make your own assessment from the comfort of your sofa. So please sit back, have a cuppa and take your time to review everything on this listing in order to make your own assessment on the vehicle's condition. Viewings are also welcomed with all our listings, so please get in touch with us to arrange a suitable time - we just need to speak to you first and receive a valid photo ID before confirming.

If there's anything you're unsure about, no matter how small, then please first ask the owner in the comments area below before placing your bid/s, as bids can't be retracted and form a binding contract if you win the car - just like a traditional auction house.

Service History

Date	Type	Mileage
01-11-2021	MOT	81,898
23-10-2020	MOT	80,833
24-10-2019	MOT	80,342
26-03-2019	Service	-
29-10-2018	MOT	79,882
21-08-2017	MOT	79,021
12-09-2016	MOT	75,612
05-03-2012	MOT	75,431
07-02-2011	MOT	75,205
22-01-2010	MOT	75,020