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Looking at a couple of possible Chrylser replacements and I see two rather interesting Triumphs in my locale.
believ it or not I have never actually owned a Triumph. Could now be the time to start?
#1 - 1975 Dolly Sprint Auto.
Good things...
1. its pissyella 2. it has a ton of obvious potential 3. even as a slusher it should be "perky" to drive 4. I like autos 5. most people don't like autos - thus it will be cheaper
bad things....
1. auto trans is leaking. Hmmm... 2. their reputation for unreliability ane expensive failure... 3. Road tax! 4. erm, thats it really.
Triumph #2 - 1965 1300 saloon
Good things...
1. looks well mint / original 2. very sensible BIN 3. tax excempt 4. lovely simple mechanical car - cheap and easy to run! 5. probably one of the best styling jobs of a small car in that decade.
bad things....
1. small engine 2. sissy wheel drive 3. weird offset for the wheels...
thats about it.
so any thoughts, especially on usig a Sprint auto as a daily? I suspectt he stories of their explosive engines are bar-room exagerations, although I did know a guy 15 yerars ago who blew up 3 engines in his in 2 years...
Lewis, over to you...
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1941 Wolseley Not Rod - 1956 Humber Hawk - 1957 Daimler Conquest - 1966 Buick LeSabre - 1968 Plymouth Sport Fury - 1968 Ford Galaxie - 1969 Ford Country Squire - 1969 Mercury Marquis - 1970 Morris Minor - 1970 Buick Skylark - 1970 Ford Galaxie - 1971 Ford Galaxie - 1976 Continental Mark IV - 1976 Ford Capri - 1994 Ford Fiesta
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1941 Wolseley Not Rod - 1956 Humber Hawk - 1957 Daimler Conquest - 1966 Buick LeSabre - 1968 Plymouth Sport Fury - 1968 Ford Galaxie - 1969 Ford Country Squire - 1969 Mercury Marquis - 1970 Morris Minor - 1970 Buick Skylark - 1970 Ford Galaxie - 1971 Ford Galaxie - 1976 Continental Mark IV - 1976 Ford Capri - 1994 Ford Fiesta
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The Sprint auto is the obvious winner, it's 16v, quick and rwd WINNER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! To hell with head gasket failure and over heating problem DO IT!!!!!!!!!!1 EDIT: Just looked at the pics the Sprint is the only option, you knows it Plus the 1300 is FWD
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Last Edit: Jun 25, 2007 7:35:23 GMT by Robinxr4i
Sierra - here we go again! He has an illness, it's not his fault.
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The Sprint autos are good motors, with the 0-60 being basically the same as the manual. That Notts one does sound a little odd. Possibly got the thermostat pulled to mask a cooling problem. Auto leak isn't too bad as a recon box costs about 350, or getting them repaired is a fairly simple affair Diff however is a bit of a pain to change...Overall it'd probably be worth avoiding that one...Just sounds a bad'un to be honest as it shouldn't have those problems if it was well cared for. These aren't cars you buy the 1st example you see and you never should, because they will hurt you for it. The other thing to consider - the 1850HL auto is actually the much nicer car to drive. Because the Sprint only starts to sing after 3500, the box actually changes before this leading to a rather disengaging drive. The 1850, for the auto, is the much nicer car overall to have. It makes more torque lower down and pulls along with glee through the autobox and with a bit of tweaking can make respectable power on it's own. The engines are a little less prone to self-grenading as well and still very easy to work on. Makes a good noise with a sports system too. Now, the 1300 FWDs............Are really sweet motors. I've not had one myself but my dad did - seam welded shell, lowered, straight through exhaust and it really ripped. Apparently very modern feeling cars to drive and the 1300 has excellent potential to make good power and a raspy noise. Bits are easily uprated as well RE brakes and so on. The interiors are fantastic, parts are cheap and they return about 40mpg with the right bits. They're also tax exempt, very easy to work on and very easy to drive. Hell, you can buy an appropriate box from Canley and make a 4WD one! Slap a turbo on................ ;D There's nothing wrong with FWD anyway...make a nice change Either way, if you got one there'd be no issue using one on a day to day basis - I have for 4 years no with no problems whatsoever Just follow the service pattern in the book an all is pretty well sorted! (Provided you get a good one....) Hope that's a bit of help, just shout if there's anything else!
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Last Edit: Jun 25, 2007 8:22:26 GMT by Lewis
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markbognor
South East
Posts: 9,970
Club RR Member Number: 56
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First reaction to the two pics was that the 1300 could have more scope for different interpretations of car styling themes.
Dolly Sprint is crying out for a race car styled look, JDM even, with arch extensions, oil cooler and chin spoiler. Although smoothing and wide wheels plus horsepower south london style might work too.
1300, big drop moon disks faded sign writing salt flats style, big drop and shiney wheels roof rack and accesories resto-wagen style. primer grey with maroon pinstiping to match interior, plus roof chop, 1300's were available withy two doors as well, chop and coup it with a pair of those doors custom style. But it will always be FWD.
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cheers Lewis. I was going to go have a test drive of that Sprint. Sometimes noises I'd call normal, or not even notice, other people are freaking about like the car is about to explode. I'll take your council as caution on this one though. It does sound a little tired, but then I wouldn't feel any shame in abusing it... I'd be hoping to snag it for about half what the 1300 is up for... The 1300 does pique my interest. It has a real nice original car look to it. I'm surprised nobody has hit BIN on it. If its as nice as it appears I'd be happy to pay £895 for that. I just worry its a bit "mumsie" for me. 1300 has a funky all-independant suspension doesn't it? tell me more of this 4WD thing? If you know of any Dolly 1850HL autos going begging LMK... and thanks...
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Last Edit: Jun 25, 2007 8:37:35 GMT by akku
1941 Wolseley Not Rod - 1956 Humber Hawk - 1957 Daimler Conquest - 1966 Buick LeSabre - 1968 Plymouth Sport Fury - 1968 Ford Galaxie - 1969 Ford Country Squire - 1969 Mercury Marquis - 1970 Morris Minor - 1970 Buick Skylark - 1970 Ford Galaxie - 1971 Ford Galaxie - 1976 Continental Mark IV - 1976 Ford Capri - 1994 Ford Fiesta
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bstardchild
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 14,937
Club RR Member Number: 71
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I suspectt he stories of their explosive engines are bar-room exagerations, although I did know a guy 15 yerars ago who blew up 3 engines in his in 2 years... I did three head gaskets on mine in less than 12 mths - drove me nuts but cracked it eventually and I forgave it the numerous faults and foibles it had I loved that car and it's still on my list of cars to accumulate for my retirement when I hope to tinker with numerous projects ;D
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Yes, the 1300 has independant suspension all round. Not bad for the 60's! The 4WD ;D - it'd be fantastic if someone did one: www.canleyclassics.com/specialpromotion.asp?uid=SSO19Make yourself an entertaining drift car with that ;D I'll keep an eye out for any 1850s, I really do heartily recommend them RE test driving that Sprint, if you want to do it - do it thoroughly. If something seems dubious just watch it as with most cars, people come up with entertaining ways to camoflague problems ;D If you want someone to go look at it with you I'd be more than happy for the cost of fuel ;D
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Jun 25, 2007 10:15:17 GMT
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I have a dolly 1850 auto begging mr K
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Jun 25, 2007 10:24:46 GMT
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does it have an MOT?
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1941 Wolseley Not Rod - 1956 Humber Hawk - 1957 Daimler Conquest - 1966 Buick LeSabre - 1968 Plymouth Sport Fury - 1968 Ford Galaxie - 1969 Ford Country Squire - 1969 Mercury Marquis - 1970 Morris Minor - 1970 Buick Skylark - 1970 Ford Galaxie - 1971 Ford Galaxie - 1976 Continental Mark IV - 1976 Ford Capri - 1994 Ford Fiesta
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Jun 25, 2007 10:27:21 GMT
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far from it!
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Jun 25, 2007 10:42:42 GMT
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not an ideal daily driver then, which is a shame.
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1941 Wolseley Not Rod - 1956 Humber Hawk - 1957 Daimler Conquest - 1966 Buick LeSabre - 1968 Plymouth Sport Fury - 1968 Ford Galaxie - 1969 Ford Country Squire - 1969 Mercury Marquis - 1970 Morris Minor - 1970 Buick Skylark - 1970 Ford Galaxie - 1971 Ford Galaxie - 1976 Continental Mark IV - 1976 Ford Capri - 1994 Ford Fiesta
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Jun 25, 2007 10:43:14 GMT
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lol
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Jun 25, 2007 10:44:40 GMT
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you could push me up and down in it while I make brrrrrm brrrrm noises but I don't think Em would be convinced...
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1941 Wolseley Not Rod - 1956 Humber Hawk - 1957 Daimler Conquest - 1966 Buick LeSabre - 1968 Plymouth Sport Fury - 1968 Ford Galaxie - 1969 Ford Country Squire - 1969 Mercury Marquis - 1970 Morris Minor - 1970 Buick Skylark - 1970 Ford Galaxie - 1971 Ford Galaxie - 1976 Continental Mark IV - 1976 Ford Capri - 1994 Ford Fiesta
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Jun 25, 2007 10:47:35 GMT
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it goes ok, you may just have an issue with ground clearance and steering at the front
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Jun 25, 2007 12:11:34 GMT
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I know of a concours 1850 manual at the moment. It is on the bay but the owner wants just shy of 2k outside of it....... Stunning bit of kit, 120BHP, all the toys... Gorgeous car either way, really ;D I reckon it'll bid to about 1500 on the bay.... Lot of money tho!
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Last Edit: Jun 25, 2007 12:12:13 GMT by Lewis
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Jun 25, 2007 12:44:38 GMT
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looks lovely. Not the colour for it IMO. Also way ourt of budget.
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1941 Wolseley Not Rod - 1956 Humber Hawk - 1957 Daimler Conquest - 1966 Buick LeSabre - 1968 Plymouth Sport Fury - 1968 Ford Galaxie - 1969 Ford Country Squire - 1969 Mercury Marquis - 1970 Morris Minor - 1970 Buick Skylark - 1970 Ford Galaxie - 1971 Ford Galaxie - 1976 Continental Mark IV - 1976 Ford Capri - 1994 Ford Fiesta
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Jun 25, 2007 12:59:33 GMT
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1850's are awesome ;D It is probably one of the nicest cars I've ever drove.
Used mine as a daily for about 8 months if I remember right. Never let me down once. The thermostat was never connected to mine (thought there was something dodgy) but it never overheated, or for that matter, even got really hot.
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Jun 25, 2007 17:28:19 GMT
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go for the sprint!! the 1300's like doing this
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bxer
Part of things
Posts: 457
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Jun 25, 2007 17:50:08 GMT
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Thought about a big Triumph? You can waft along with shedloads of torque especially with 2500 (peaks at 2000rpm ), although fuel economy will be a bit Last time I ran one was a worryingly long time ago when petrol was a lot cheaper
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