The Triumph Dolomite is a Beautiful '70s Sporting Saloon

Commonly described as 'Britain's BMW', British Leyland's Triumph Dolomite has one of the most elongated and convoluted histories. Being derived from the Triumph 1300, the Toledo and Dolomite were converted to rear-wheel drive and launched in the early 1970s to replace the Triumph Herald.
The Dolomite featured Triumph's all-new Slant-Four that would later be developed by Saab, powering the 900 Turbo, but in the early '70s, it was fitted with a 16 valve head, the first available in Britain, to power the Dolomite Sprint super saloon.
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[@karlroy626]

You brought tears to my eyes and heart ached for the days I spent my dads dolly. The smell the ignition lights. Amazing review.

[@andiparker3733]

What makes a car beautiful? "Detail and personality" Nailed it!! 💯

[@ianmarshall8470]

Drove a Dolomite Sprint in the early 70's. What a motor!

[@hugebartlett1884]

This guy makes a straightforward honest presentation,very rare in the motoring world,whereas I remember the Top Gear programmes which often made me feel nauseous with their biased,self opiniated arrogant attitudes. Here I can enjoy admiring the old cars which should have done so much better in their day.

[@richlee509]

He is new james may

[@fill7t1]

I enjoy watch twin cam, honest reviews with the cars of yesterday with a view of today. I ve learnt a lot off him. Each article is very well researched!

[@timonsolus]

Top Gear used to be very similar to this back in the 1990’s.

[@RutherfordRyan1]

Hear hear

[@stevenbrannan9775]

I owned a 1974 light blue Dolomite 1850HL for many years and it was the most comfortable car ever. Brilliant seats and driving experience. I hankered after a sprint but never had one. Great to see these retrospective reviews.

[@jonathanpeden9930]

"It spiralled into the plug hole of British Leyland". Possibly the best description I have heard of that whole debacle

[@stevetaylor8698]

I recall the drain in the urinal of my local pub was very similar to the Leyland plug of doom.

[@robindow1061]

Back in the day the Leyland badge was known as 'The plug hole of doom'.

[@johnbarry5115]

'Snatching defeat from the jaws of victory' is another pretty good description of the British car industry.

[@markrl75]

@@robindow1061 - It was actually "the blue arsehole"

[@frededwards9124]

or the "flying arsehole" when I was an apprentice in the early 1980s!

[@TheLRider]

I had two Dolly Sprints back in the day. A primrose yellow N reg and a V Reg in Tahiti Blue both with bkack upholstery. Absolutely loved them both.. Great cars which I looked after properly and were extremely easy to maintain with the aid of a Haynes manual, something that is but a dream for modem car owners. With low cost spares readily available and they never ever broke down or let me down and gave me huge amounts of pleasure and great memories. People just became snobs and didn't want to be seen getting they're hands dirty. I loved it as an antidote to a more sedentary office job in Coventry. What's not to like.

[@JohnSmith-ki2eq]

Back in 91 a guy I worked with bought one with 700 miles on the clock from new!, It had been owned by and old woman who bought it new as her a "retirement car", she drove it to the shop and back about twice a week. Said shops were 200 yards away!!!, when my friend got it, it still had the plastic over the door panels. She had it serviced every year and sold it to him for the princely sum of £400. Lucky bastard.

[@bobbysmith4801]

Never comment on videos - but had to on this one. You explained the complex history brilliantly and your enthusiasm for the car is infectious.

[@TwinCam]

Thanks Bob, that's lovely of you to say :)

[@gmmooseblaster]

I bought a 1976 1500HL model in the early 80's and it was one of the best cars I've had. It did thousands of miles for me and never had any serious problems. Being a British Leyland car, this surprised me. Still look back with fond memories

[@paulanderson7338]

I owned a Dolomite 1850 twin carb, bought it at auction in 1986 for £700. it was blue with a black tonnue roof, I learnt more about car mechanics from that car than any other I have ever owned, it was so beautiful, I spent hours washing and polishing it, the interior was fabulous and comfortable, the polished wooden dash and light cluster at the time were space ship like. I sold it after a year, it never ran a week before breaking down, it blew the big end bearings after a month, replaced an engine for the first time in my life, with an engine bought from a scrap yard, which then blew a head gasket, which I learned to replace on the hoof, then the clutch went, had to remove the inner cowl and front seats to get to the bell housing, remove the prop shaft, and change the clutch and pressure plate, all great learning experiences. After a year and a mechanical education to die for, I decided to change it, in my wisdom I bought a lovely MG Montego, and the previous years mechanical education was sorely needed, but back to the Dolomite, out of the numerous cars I have owned since 1977, it was my favourite, I still have photographs of the car sitting proudly outside the house, fond memories of a bygone age, and the years work to keep it going was well worth it.

[@horsenuts1831]

Back in about 1985 my Dad was impressed when I dated a girl (on the same mechanical engineering course as me) who could change the big-end bearings on her Dolomite. There seems to be a theme with these cars...

[@oogaftw]

My dad drove one of these, when I was a kid in the early 80s. Many happy memories of falling asleep in the back seat on long morotway drives back from my grandparent's house.

[@henriquemagalhaes3062]

One of the most underrated British saloons ever made. As well as triumph, one of the best British Leyland brands ever. Great presentation you don't see much of these anymore. 16valve engine in 1971 is impressive

[@TwinCam]

Thanks Henrique ☺️

[@tonymarchant9083]

@@TwinCam I had one of these in 1980, my first ever car...AKY 5L , wish i still had her.

[@jfv65]

Possibly the very first mass produced car with a 4valves/cyl engine. A true classic because it was offered before the Japanese flooded the market with reliable 4valve engines.

[@hectorshouse7348]

Totally agree…triumph were great.

[@darcysmoke]

this car was shit!

[@boggled007]

Your depth of knowledge is astonishing! Top Gear nonsense or Twin-Cam professionalism ? You win every time. No brainer. Ridiculously satisfying indeed!

[@TwinCam]

Aww thanks mate, that's very kind :)

[@mortified776]

@@TwinCam Seconded!

[@peterriggall8409]

@@mortified776 Yep, such a professional presentation. Love the car too and the colour.

[@jh565bb]

To be fair James May always spoke very factually, the other two were more in it for the jokes, but May gave some great commentary on the mechanical side and the history of cars.

[@MGBetts1]

The lad really does his research - that's what this channel is all about! 👍🏻

[@lefizz55]

My Dad had an 1850 when I was a kid. He loved that car it was absolutely gorgeous. I almost bought a pretty tired Sprint when I was 18 but unfortunately I couldn't get insurance. 30 years later I wish I had phoned around a few more brokers instead of buying a second hand 1600 MkII Cavalier instead. Weakest point was the gearbox, when I was kid we went on touring holiday to the lake District and the box went out on the way back. Think Dad had a couple of gears. Crawled home and the following weekend dad got a lift with a neighbour up to Birmingham and spent a day swapping in a reckon box he had bought. Interesting memories.

[@johnsmith-mo1yc]

I loved my Dolomite Sprint. I think of all my saloon cars that was the one that gave me most joy With its bright yellow body it was also an eye-catching picture to view in any environment. My most memorable moments were the sheer joy of driving it on the German Autobahns at the speeds it was meant for. I always felt safe in it with its impressive steering and braking capabilities. Sadly it was also expensive to maintain!

[@alanmalan3819]

So they stole BMW design... Lol.. Those Britains

[@roberthewer2268]

My friend had one in Germany in 1980 😮😮😮😮😮 yellow great time travelling to far out places great drink great food great times loved that motor❤❤❤❤

[@peterthwaites5891]

Your faultless commentary only adds to the excellent content you gave us... Spot on !

[@TwinCam]

Thanks Peter :)

[@SteveDentonClassics]

Great video, showing a in depth history of the Triumph Dolomite, presented to a high standard. This is why I enjoy watching your videos Ed. You don’t need to drive the cars, or give any BS of what the cars like on the road, you just give the facts. Your work is your own and you make it educational and interesting at the same time 👍🏻

[@TwinCam]

Thanks Steve :)

[@philtucker1224]

Well said Steve 👍

[@torresalex]

Words fail me. I don't agree with some things you say but the eloquence with which everything is delivered really sells it all.

[@TwinCam]

Thanks Alexander

[@gordonstenson2708]

I had a British racing green sprint, 1974 plate. i bought this car in 76, and the bodywork was awful. It had a new engine on the bottom half, however the cylinder head was not replaced resulting it being stressed and eventually blew its self by putting a conrod through the block. A brand new engine was put in and it ran beautifully for the remaining time I had it. My neighbour ran into front wrecking the front which was repaired. The car looked great from the front with the new paint and panels, but in reality was a plug. I loved everything about this car ,despite the shortcomings and would have another in a heart beat. When I bought this car I was young, naïve but learned a lot mechanically. I am now 66 and still work on my cars.

[@davidwood4303]

A superb documentary. Thank you. I owned a '76 Sprint from '86 to '91. Learned all of my mechanic skills on it. A riotously fun car, even though I had to change the head gasket 5 times. Passengers were always amazed by the overdrive :)

[@roseybut]

Always loved the "Dolly sprint"

[@Hooligan-F8F]

Me too - had mine for four years and wish I had it still...

[@BrightFuturePC]

I like your presentation. Easy to listen to, not hurried, clear, not too technical and relaxed. I really enjoyed this video. I was lucky enough to have an old R reg 1850HL back in the day. Great car it was. This video brought it all back. Love it. Thank you.

[@ihopetowin]

I remember when these cars were brand spanking new. They seemed to glow from within and as a teenager of the day I wanted one.

[@Snaptophobic]

Great video, Ed. The research, the filming, the fashion, the continuity edits, supporting material, even the pesky pooch, top notch. I think your best vid to date.

[@TwinCam]

Thanks Heather, that's lovely to hear :)

[@simonhodgetts6530]

Your presentation style gets more and more confident! Some greats phrases in use here!!

[@TwinCam]

Thanks Simon, that's lovely to hear :)

[@tomhughes6486]

Well done. I'm a Triumph guy in the USA, and I love learning about those we didn't get over here.

[@TwinCam]

Thanks Tom

[@plym1969]

Aged 11 I was asked to go along as the scorer for a cricket game. My lift turned up in a yellow Dolomite. I had to climb across the driver's seat to sit in the passenger's because the door wasn't to be opened as it was being held onto the body by rope. "Please hold onto the door handle when going around corners so it doesn't fall off" he said. I wasn't able to take in the rest of the car as fear of dying scrambles the brain so thanks Ed for this brilliantly comprehensive review.🙂 BTW it's a myth that people drive better on the way home after 5 pints. Different times!

[@andygreen1a]

Fantastic! My uncle had a Dolomite Sprint from new. I always thought it was an attractive car. I like that you give a full and comprehensive history of not just the actual car, but, also the circumstances and internal politics that shape the cars you review. Thoroughly researched, love your channel and that you have an obvious passion for cars I remember from my youth. You, Ian from Hubnut, Matt from Furiousdriving and Steph from idriveaclassic are all amazing. Thanks again for the hard work you put in to all your uploads. Already looking forward to the next one. Been so entertaining these last two years as I have gone through several cycles of chemotherapy. These videos and card, bring back many happy memories of childhood. I remember family members having so many of the cars you review. Thanks again, your hard work and dedication are much appreciated.

[@TwinCam]

Aww thank you Andrew. That's so kind of you to say. I hope you're making progress

[@andygreen1a]

@@TwinCam Thanks Ed, I appreciate that.

[@random-person1]

@@andygreen1a how are you now Andrew?

[@nowhereman5119]

Its doesn't get more 70's Brown than that! I can just about remember these on the roads in the late 70's - and I liked them! It was a serious move away from all-plastic seats towards the all-velour/cloth seats. This made the interiors look luxurious back then. As a kid, I really hated getting into the back of our family cars - the plastic seats felt frozen in winter - or baking hot in the summer.

[@kh23797]

So true... I had a Cortina MkIII with those exact ghastly features.

[@margaretcronin4073]

My father had one. A truly fantastic car. Very powerful and a pleasure to ride in.

[@DaveInBridport]

Colleague had an 1850. Took 5 of us (big lads) across London. Pulled like a dream.

[@Mancozeb100]

Great production, Ed. As so many others have said .. very enjoyable to watch. Love your little bits of "theatre" - walking away from the camera towards a new camera angle, brilliantly done ... and .... that confident, purposeful closing of the bonnet !! Take a bow, kind sir ! Oh, and great to hear the click of the overdrive switch, ... and that bootlid closing too. Thank you, man !

[@TwinCam]

Thanks mate, that's lovely of you to say :)

[@grrwuff4099]

Absolutely agree on the high production quality, adding to the content...

[@annabellaandrewkingdon7972]

Loving the new style. A logical development of your abilities. Very well researched as usual, enthusiastically delivered and a lovely arty photography with nice panning and zooming in and out. I also like the outtakes and cross reference pictures and references to other cars. You are becoming very professional without losing that "Eddyness" we all like. Well done mate!

[@TwinCam]

Thanks mate, that’s lovely to hear ☺️

[@johnstephens67]

This video just made me long for the days of cars like the Dolomite. My history teacher owned a brand new Dolomite Sprint in 1980...by 1986 it had almost rusted away, but what a car (while it lasted!)

[@jsmith8255]

i cant believe what I'm seeing ... my first ever car was a 1500 twin cam dolomite sprint. exactly the same .. Memory's. Thank You .

[@Rjhs001]

Brilliant Ed. So well researched and so well presented. Thanks so much. Also, this was one of the cars I lusted after as a pre-teen.

[@TwinCam]

Thanks John, that's very kind of you to say :)

[@1962gms]

I passed my driving test (first time) in a Dolomite in 1979, so I am very fond of it. Great analysis and you're right, it is one of the prettiest production cars produced.

[@Mart1nus888]

The Dolomite Sprint remains best British car I have ever driven. I had one as a company car for about 18 months. Yes, THAT company!

[@johnj287]

I’ve been watching your videos for a while now. My dad used to be a new car sales executive in the late 70’s and 80’s, mainly for BL and Austin Rover so your videos on the old brochures were a wonderful trip down memory lane for me. I’ve got to hand it to you, you’re becoming a really polished, knowledgeable and watchable presenter. I predict a great future for you! Keep them coming.

[@TwinCam]

Thanks John, that’s very kind of you to say ☺️

[@adriancaldwell]

Excellent Ed. My favourite too. Used to drool over these as a kid So confidently understated

[@Richard-Bullock]

Once again, as always, another great video. I always loved the Dolomite. In the 80's my dad had a 1300 Dolly as the customer courtesy car for his car repair business. I was gutted when he sold it before I was old enough to drive.

[@TwinCam]

Thanks again Richard :)

[@simonmorse417]

Brings back fond memories of my Grandad's Dolly 1500TC in Sandglow (light brown!) and weekends sat in the squishy back seats travelling to their caravan in it. Was the first car I ever drove as he gave me some "driving lessons" in the local shopping centre car park. if I was to own a classic car this would be it. Lovely example in the video.

[@briancoleman6990]

Brilliant video with great and genuine enthusiasm . Makes me appreciate my 74 Dolomite 1850 even more despite owning for 30 years , Great thanks

[@SabotsLibres]

The Sprint was magnificent. A friend of mine had two before going on to a Rover 2600. After he took delivery of the Rover, he took the Sprint out for one last spin and found it still very spirited...

[@fredbloggs8072]

I had a yellow Dolly Sprint in the 80s and I loved it. Beautiful to drive & very quick. Unfortunately it kept blowing head gaskets, which I think was a common problem with the car. I think probably because of the different thermal expansion rates of the aluminium head & steel block. Lots of rust issues too. The pie chart dial is very cool. I've heard it referred to as the "all systems go" dial, because when all the lights are out, you're good to go. It's my favorite-ever car that I've owned, despite the problems.

[@kh23797]

The two-metal expansion problem plagued several car manufacturers back in the day. Some simply redesigned and thickened the intervening gasket to get around the problem. Not that all-cast-iron blocks and heads were without blowing issues (as with my 1969 Austin A35). Reliability is one of the biggest changes for the better since I started driving in the late '60s.

[@pierrewilliams1533]

Brown is a good colour for this car but yellow is THE colour for it.

[@cliffwalton3440]

​@@pierrewilliams1533nah, I had a red one! After my red herald and before my red spitfire. Red is the only colour a car should be!

[@nicholaskeech3048]

I worked on these cars in the 1970s so many memories

[@LiquidAudio]

My Dad bought a Dolomite Sprint in 1977 when we lived in the UK for a year. Prior to that, he'd owned a Triumph 2000. Great cars!

[@Curiousdriving]

Great video. Had a 1500 HL Dolomite in the late 80s early 90s, quick and nimble and well appointed too.

[@TwinCam]

Thanks Ian :) How did you find the 1500 engine? A lot of contemporary reviews said it didn't fit the character of the car, but I'd like to hear what an actual owner thought!

[@saxon-mt5by]

@@TwinCam The 1500 was fine; not as sporty as the 1850 but made a much better car than, say, a Cortina 1500. I've had three 1500s, four 1850s, two Sprints and a Toledo, and loved them all; the 1850 is my favourite, but the 1500 is very close behind.

[@Curiousdriving]

@@TwinCam It was a great little engine, although I believe descended from the original Standard engine. The twin SUs helped give it a little bit more pep, but they were a real pain to balance.

[@TheStwat]

How have you not got more subs? Your presenting and editing skills are second to none. your research into each car you film is admirable.

[@TwinCam]

Aww thanks Stuart, that's very kind of you to say :)

[@reconn9056]

My Dad was a bar auto setter, working at Triumph Canley and later at Radford on Rover 3500 back axles. He owned a Herald 1200, then a 13/60, a Toledo, and finally a 1500 TC. The 1500 TC was the car I learned to drive in. Having gained my license I then borrowed the TC as often as I could. Put your foot down and that car could motor quite quickly - I loved it

[@racingrooster4642]

Many moons ago I was an apprentice in a Triumph garage. Loved the Triumph range then and still do. Dolomites were lookers and goers,as was the MK1 GT6 & Mk2 Vitesses TR6 s and Stags, well what a time for cars "Oh and Yes they were the Good Old days of motoring " Enjoyable video . Wish I had a fast Triumph now as I never owned one then.

[@stephenhunt6673]

Great overview, thank you. I used to own a Dolomite Sprint in Mimosa Yellow with a vinyl roof & Webasto sunroof. One of the most fun cars I owned!

[@TwinCam]

Thanks Stephen :)

[@simply_psi]

Great video Ed, I've loved the Dolomite for years, especially the stunning Sprint, thanks for covering the beauty with such care and professionalism

[@TwinCam]

Thanks Simon :)

[@phild9019]

My Grandad had a brown Dolomite. I'm not a 'car person' at all but this reminded me of him. Grandad passed away in 1985.

[@38skippers]

I used to love these as a 14 yr old.

[@Steve-gc5nt]

That is a properly, properly professional bit of reviewing. Very impressive. And as interesting to my eye as the car is the building behind. 😍

[@TwinCam]

Thanks Steve ☺️

[@kasperkjrsgaard1447]

The Triumph Dolomite, propably one of the finest from Britain. A pity it was made under BL.

[@TwinCam]

Indeed!

[@Quebecoisegal]

Triumph and Rover had some beautiful cars, anyone who has one which has been looked after gets my praise.

[@erepsekahs]

My daddy had one of these, when he was going through his mid-life crisis. Mummy was not happy....but he looked really cool in it. The local girls thought so too....caused a bit of a problem, but it all worked out fine in the end. He died at 98 and I am now in my 70's. I can look back on it with humor. I am going through the same thing with an Aston Martin, my wife hates it. Dad's Dolomite was a beautiful car, and quick for those days. He had absolutely no trouble with it.

[@PartP1647]

I had 2 Sprints in the1970s, white and yellow. I had the white one from new and drove it hard. Bought the yellow from an older gent (age I am now!). The engine felt less powerful. I did not have many problems with either of them. I have been a BMW person from the 1990s on. I remember the Sprint as having a great upright driving position with clear gauges. So different to today’s distractions.

[@frededwards9124]

What a great video; well edited and narrated. Back in the early '70s I recall my Aunt who was only 24 at the time said she'd been on holiday in the Lake District and met some nice young men who were shooting pics for a new car. Turned out to be the yellow Dolomite Sprint you see in the brochures of the time! I think she's in the background of one of the shots.... I think your style is great; you have Big Car levels of research with more live video - really well done!

[@giuseppegiacomoni7058]

Those door mirrors are awesome don't you think? Pure genius from the Leyland stable and without parallels!

[@pauld7827]

I had both a Triumph Acclaim and a 1500HL Dolomite. Despite what most people did, I bought the Acclaim and then some years later the Dolomite. The Dolomite was a great car, it had character and stayed in the family for many years.

[@therealsimonhicks]

Thank you. That was a rather pleasant trip down memory lane. In my youth I had a 1300, a 2500S, and a Sprint. My favourite was the 2500S. What's not to like about a straight 6.

[@TwinCam]

Thanks Simon ☺️ I love the 2000 range as well, especially a 2500S Estate. That’s a dream car of mine!

[@johnbarry5115]

Once again you've presented a very informative and entertaining video. I've never even driven a Dolomite, but I did own a Triumph 1300 for a while. (My most memorable Triumph was a T150V 750cc triple, and only had two wheels, but I digress). I have mostly fond memories of the 1300. I remember being presented with a snow drift higher than the bonnet one morning - the 1300 just drove straight through it. On another occasion I went into a bend that was tighter than I thought, much faster than I should have. Not even a hint of a slide. The one thing that sticks in my mind was when my boss rather begrudgingly asked me if I could give him a lift - he wouldn't normally want to be seen in a 'cheap' car. Watching him run his finger over the walnut dash was priceless.

[@TwinCam]

Thanks John :) Love that story. The originals at putting luxury into a small package!

[@ducatobeing]

My uncle bought a six month old Dolomite Sprint. What a beautiful car! At the time we had a Maxi which I cordially loathed. the Triumph was comfortable, sophisticated, and beautiful. Unfortunately it was also manufactured by BL. It was a true "Friday Afternoon Job" and never stopped suffering. He swapped it for a Cortina 2000E.

[@richardwales7825]

I loved my '76 Dolomite Sprint down in Australia. I had one with the rare factory LSD. Only 2 mistakes with the car. Buying it, and 5 years later selling it. And I wish I still had it. It was beautiful.

[@richdelgado3405]

15:35 a little switch for overdrive, "possibly the ultimate status symbol of a saloon car of this age". My, how times have changed.

[@jeromeemmanuel9604]

Remarkably documented and very well detailed: brilliant as usual! And the car you have chosen in illustration is a magnificent example! Always a pleasure to watch and listen to your excellent reports.

[@TwinCam]

Thanks Jerome, that's very kind :)

[@boycie1150]

I had two of the Sprints back in the day. Bloody loved their beautiful little, unbelievably unreliable and fun selves! Mine was lairy as hell, with rally spec suspension and tuning. By 'eck, it shifted. Still miss them to this day, 35 years later.

[@Blade1310]

Thanks for a very entertaining history lesson. Loved it all, right down to the "Feu Orange" air freshener hanging from the rear view mirror.........I can smell it now! What memories! Brilliant.

[@darrenhorvath5801]

Your quality of presentation has come on in leaps and bounds well done Ed 👏 👌 👍🏻

[@TwinCam]

Thanks Darren :)

[@nathanjones6501]

Ed absolutely fantastic video and very well put on the history of the car it’s one of my favourites when I was growing up remember riding in the sprint version a friend use to have one?So you brought back happy memories on seeing it once again and what a CAR so beautiful with it’s design lines and shape of the body work and inside was looking fantastic to see with array of clock dials especially the pie chart clock dial also for myself you only appreciate car’s of interest as you get older the car shown has been restored or has been kept in mint condition so Once again thanking you for you hard work on putting your videos together on your channel you are a remarkable young dedication person and your Channel is a credit to you 💯👏😊

[@TwinCam]

Thanks Nathan, that's lovely of you to say :)

[@mohammaddavoudian7897]

I had a Dolomite when I was 20 something. It was blue and really a great car. Very fast for that era. Loved it! They used to say that a Dolomite's engine was half of a Stag's engine. Right or wrong I wouldn't know.

[@nikjames2965]

More precisely, the Stag utilises some design features from the 1850 8 valve dolomite engine. The "weaknesses" of both engines could have been easily solved if the car had received some real preproduction development with professional quality engineering. The mere existence of the v8 was a result of intercompany angst - there was simply no need for it. The Rover was well established and would fit easily, and the Stag v8 offered no advantage over it.

[@michaelbacon561]

My father and uncle had 1300s and they were fantastic cars; refined, luxurious and solid. As the 70s wore on, I remember looking over new Dolomites and thinking that the build quality was deteriorating, especially the interior, despite the retention of all that lovely wood. The cars became far more rust prone as well.

[@benday1218]

You explained the story very well, and I've heard it many times, but I still find the Triumph range a little bit baffling in that period.

[@StupStups]

Great video! Well done for that concise, accurate and understandable explanation of the history and technical changes from the 1300FWD to the Dolomite. Think it's fair to conclude that you like the car :)

[@TwinCam]

Thanks mate :)

[@mick-tl5ui]

my mate had one of these. I remember travelling down to Manchester in it to an Elton John concert, I always remember the overdrive button. It was so cool!

[@wjones6606]

Just found this young man's channel today. Wow, what a fabulous car reviewer you are. Fantastically informative, well filmed and more importantly, no stupid music and a no nonsense simple and clear narrative. I'm all subscrbed now, and will look forward to watching your films. Thankyou and keep up the great work.

[@Bucharestguidedtours]

Fantastic video on a lovely car, great background and detail.. Best wishes .

[@TwinCam]

Thanks mate :)

[@AndrewKNI]

Well done Ed. Another great car history lesson. The Dolomite featured looks gorgeous. :-)

[@carolynmitchell5981]

“Best looking British car of all time” I think the MG ZA/ZB Magnette owners might disagree with you on that. A Magnette Video would be nice.

[@TwinCam]

Thanks Andrew :)

[@TwinCam]

I'd love to do a video on a Magnette! However, I cannot agree on the styling! Good looking, yes, but not as good as the Dolly, for me!

[@angusmcallister111]

My grandfather was MD and chairman of Standard Triumph before it was sold off to BL. The Herald was named after a small fishing boat he owned, named ‘Herald’.

[@grenvillebamford1205]

Bought a 1854cc British Racing Green one with black interior in 1976, great video bought back many memories.

[@MattysCars]

Isn’t it terrible when you both turn up wearing the same thing

[@TwinCam]

👑

[@richdelgado3405]

Color coordination is one thing. But fabric coordination? That's a whole new level.

[@gnosticbrian3980]

Thank you for bringing back memories of my younger days. I had a Dolomite Sprint - tremendous fun to drive, except on icy roads. I got it in Mimosa yellow - big mistake; attracted swarms of little black flies. Major flaw was the Lucas electrical connectors that attracted water and resulted in numerous electrical gremlins.

[@nikjames2965]

BL should have put Lucas's feet to the fire, and insisted of a complete upgrade of all their products

[@1mgvideo]

As always, this video is well made. The lad knows his subject, presents it in a professional manner and the camera work is superb, He should be a presenter on television.

[@TwinCam]

Thanks Michael, that's incredibly kind of you to say :)

[@shootingsportstransparency7461]

back in the days changed a lot exhaust valves and head gaskets on the Triumph Dolomite Loved it

[@bitterdrinker]

My dad had an 1850HL and he absolutely loved it. It was however a rust trap on wheels. It also had rubber pipe connectors on the fuel lines. Many Dollys ended their lives in flames. I still love Dolomites though.

[@MrWayneJohn1]

The Dolomite rear bumper looks suspiciously identical to the Triumph TR6. Great video.

[@jimburtwell2731]

What a nice looking sedan, so many fine body lines purely for style, beautiful proportions

[@speedmachine69]

Beautifully shot, framed, written and presented......... and edited

[@TheMeakster]

I remember these all over the place in the 70's. Just about every driving school/instructor used them.

[@plunder1956]

I drove a Triumph 1300 for some time & remember this design from the time. It was a nice looking car.

[@davidmarsden9800]

In 1979 I took driving lessons with British School of Motoring (BSM) in Harrogate and learnt to drive and passed my test in one of their Triumph Dolomites exactly same as this one you're looking at. Easy to control, good visibility and easy to position when reversing. The worst thing was the gear lever and especially selecting reverse usually having to use both hands. Wanted one at the time but couldn't afford it and ended up with an 1800cc Vauxhall Viva. I agree it was a very good car but it was BL that doomed some nice cars. The Japanese were making great inroads to the market at the time with well equipped and very reliable cars, I mean you got a radio as standard in a Nissan Cherry or Sunny and it would start on a winter's morning.

[@railfreightdrivergallagherGBRf]

Brilliant video. I had 3 Dolly's in the 1980s, two 1850s & a 2.0 Sprint. One of my 1850s though produced more BHP than the Sprint, and I turned it into a tarmac prepped rally car. Pushing over 140bhp it went like a rocket!!! In full rally Unipart livery, & with my cousin working for Unipart, later Partco, I got many parts at cost. What a fantastic car it was.

[@TwinCam]

Thanks mate ☺️

[@easytiger652]

Take me back to my childhood.many thanks👍

[@markalexander3487]

It looks so much better than modern cars. I drove a Toledo 1300 in the nineties.

[@estebanrearte5960]

Just discovered your web site almost by random ! Yes the Triumph Dolomite is one of the best Leyland's cars ever made . A car with strong character . Curiously it has some vague Michelotti's style . Once saw one assembled strictly left steering wheel , i'd say there was also a sibling of this made exclusively in Spain with the name Austin Victoria . Beyond the brilliant featurings of the beloved classic Triumph Toledo , i'd mostly want to remark that you are a quite brilliant journalist for the automotive's interest , being you so young , you have a lot of bibliography source, then is such a pleasure to follow your tests and to learn a bit else from the rich Brit's automobile industry . Not to mention your English is so awesome ... we from Argentina can learn and improve pronunciation even for more . With honest appraisals , get my warmest greets and compliments for your outstanding job

[@tomroland2315]

Great review. Learned to drive with the British School of Motoring and this was their choice of vehicle back in 1979. They did have a "Sprint" for extra lessons on the motorway once you'd passed your test. From what I can remember it was pleasant to drive.