1978 Triumph Dolomite 1850HL

Superb, what a stunna! Lovely looking motor

See, told you it was a goodun ;D

Really are nice motors to drive and cruise in aren't they....they are just so great to drive, looking out over the bonnet with the soft seats and warm wood soaking you in British opuluence whilst the big four thrums away under your right foot, with the gearbox humming gently to itself and the chrome blinding other innocent motorists ;D

I recommened (in order of importance/cost)

- An LHS wing mirror Tex repro item should match up, from Quillers or Rimmers / eBay...

- Full service kit (if needed? Always worth changing the oil if you're not sure - Halfords 20/50 classic is great in these - and top up the fluid in the tranny too - don't forget to have the engine running and it in drive - at least, that's how I did mine....can't remember what it says in the Haynes!)
- Champion double copper core spark plugs
- New HT leads (if you're uncertain about the current ones)
- Aldon flamethrower coil (or if on a budget, the Lucas 'Gold' coil)
- Sprint alloy wheels (nicely polished - with 185 profile tyres)
- Rear inertial seatbelts (if it hasn't got them)
- Electric aerial
- Sports exhaust system (they have a nice burbly tone when fitted)
- An electronic ignition kit or similar to remove/ease the load on the points.

These will make the engine much more lively, easy starting and more economical and you'll know what's in it and can be confident in it.

Might be worth having it re-undersealed with the winter approaching and having it thoroughly waxed to protect the paint....mine lasted two winters without but it did show when it came to sell it.

After that, the world is your oyster ;D ....I drove mine totally standard for a long time and it NEVER gave me grief, just needed a tune up every 6 months to keep it running tip top! Check the diff level as well, as it'd be a shame to run it dry

Get a Haynes for it too, as well as checking the antifreeze level as this is cruicial on these cars, especially with the winter approaching too!

Greenstuff EBC pads and a good brake bleeding session always tighten the braking up a little bit too, along with winding out the rear drum adjusters if the handbrakes a little weak.

Erm, what else.......Braided brake lines (~40 for the lot) are always a sound investment and sharpen the pedal too. Along with the Rally design steering coupling that replaces the soft rubber UJ in the middle....That's ~40 quid too.

If you do desire a little more poke - HS6's can be fitted up, either on the existing manifold or the more appropiate TR7 manifold (and rear water heater takeoff) and this will bring it up to about 100BHP just by doing that, along with a good tune

Man, it's just like my old one ;D ...flashbacks!

If you have any issues or questions just give us a shout ;D



Mountney wheel is a treat too...lovely feel and a bit less spindly. Mine was 37 quid from MGBbreakers off eBay, including hub (brand new). ...There's all the matching Smiths gauges too, I recommend getting an oil pressure one at least as then you have something to gauge the health of the engine with - not that you should have issues, the auto engines live very cushy lives

Yes!



And it's not 40 quid, it's 14.... ;D Came to about 22 in the end with postage

(I'm pretty certain that's the same one as I have...will try and find the part number later.)

Where is our man Brussell? Has he fallen in a tank of Plastikote?

Thanks for all the feedback LewisK78!!!

Your right it is a fantastic car to drive! Loved driving it back ;D

LOL I was amazed how clean and straight it was.

Them alloys OK?

Cool ;D

Just looked at when mine, registered on 10/08/78.

Seems pretty well screwed together ;D No rattles or anything so far.

Where abouts are they, I've never noticed them.

Theres quite a few people on the road that have retro cars. Theres the guy two doors down witht he two MG's, theres a stack of Robins further up in various states of repair, theres a what looks like a beige Austin 1300 and SD1 outside just slightly up on the other side of the road.

That's the place I was thinking of.

Jeeezz, that looks like it has just rolled off the production line

;D Thank you ;D

The only real bit of rust to mention is on the boot on the right hand side under the Dolomite|1850HL badge.

The wheels let it down as well. Got a few scabs on all the wheels. Going to be taking them back, repainting in silver and sticking some Dolomite Chrome/Black wheel trims.