However, Triumph introduced yet another model, the more conventionally-engineered Toledo of 1970- featuring the 1300 engine in a RWD configuration instead of FWD. The Toledo sedan also sold in fair numbers, and would soon give rise to more powerful derivatives- the 1500TC came in 1973 after the FWD 1500 was axed, ending Triumph's dabble with front-drive sedans. The Toledo and 1500TC (the latter having twin carbs, not especially fast but did do around 30mpg) served their purpose well but it was the introduction of an even more powerful derivative the previous year which signified Triumph's intentions with its medium four.

The Toledo and 1500TC became Dolomite 1300/1500 in 1976, which lasted to the end of production in 1980. The Dolomite 1850 featured a new OHC slant-four on the Toledo/1500TC platform, with better appointments and even more sporting character. A decent performer for the time, but Triumph decided to up the ante even further with the introduction of the Dolomite Sprint.

To say that the Dolomite Sprint was special at the time, that it was something of a sensation, would be an understatement. This is the 1970s we're talking about and exactly what did the Dolomite Sprint offer that made it stand out from the sports sedan crowd of the time? Well, the Sprint offered a new 2.0-litre OHC slant-four with 16 valves- this was BIG, big news in the 1970s, especially on a sedan! With twin carbs and 127bhp, the Sprint was a sensational performer. Tests have shown its 0-60 time to be 8.7 seconds- and by the standards of the day, that was one fast sedan. Furthermore, this is the exact engine that many felt should have been in the TR7 all along- pity it wasn't.

All Dolomites ceased production in 1980, bringing down the curtains on old-school rear-drive Triumph sports sedans. Whilst not free of faults, these are genuinely interesting cars- and in 1850 and Sprint form, were fast and more than able to hold its own in the performance stakes in a competitive sports sedan market even if it lacked the chassis refinement of obvious competitors.

"Boy, they don't make cars like that anymore!"
A purveyor of the obscure, forgotten, über-luxurious and just plain silly

No replacement for diesel displacement - for common sense real world performance

The Dolomite 1300:

The Dolomite Sprint:

Now back in the 70s, there were 2.0-litre four-cylinder engines from BMW, Alfa Romeo, and even Toyota and Mitsubishi which were roughly in the same power range as the Dolomite Sprint.

Even the "lesser" Dolomites were not uncompetitive amongst similar capacity European fours- VW's 1.3 and 1.5 engines of the day weren't very different output-wise IIRC.

"Boy, they don't make cars like that anymore!"
A purveyor of the obscure, forgotten, über-luxurious and just plain silly

No replacement for diesel displacement - for common sense real world performance

They are actually pretty quick!, however the motor needs lots of care.. lots.

Lewis Hamilton
2010 comeback tour.

Congratulations Ben Spies. US WORLD superbike champion

Then again, Triumph did bring us the Stag and the 2.5 PI...

Modified by David Votoupal at 5:54 PM 11-5-2006

"Boy, they don't make cars like that anymore!"
A purveyor of the obscure, forgotten, über-luxurious and just plain silly

No replacement for diesel displacement - for common sense real world performance

Cheers - Mike

"Boy, they don't make cars like that anymore!"
A purveyor of the obscure, forgotten, über-luxurious and just plain silly

No replacement for diesel displacement - for common sense real world performance

"Boy, they don't make cars like that anymore!"
A purveyor of the obscure, forgotten, über-luxurious and just plain silly

No replacement for diesel displacement - for common sense real world performance