Triumph Stag Or Triumph Dolomite Sprint - Which Is The BEST?

[@Marco-ho6qw]

Great video and also great to see my car (MRK 742 P) featured in it.

[@davbat63]

I have have had a Sprint for 16yrs & a Stag for 5yrs... Both great cars..!

[@KJs581]

I have both, and have had for a while. Had Stag since 93, driven since then. Bought the Sprint in 1999, drove it until 2013, laid it up then, is in my Dad's garage. From 99 to 2013, they both sat in the drive, and shared daily duties. I would just drive whichever I felt like. But I find it pointless to compare them, as they are totally different cars. They are NOTHING like each other. Both have their good and bad, but both made driving to work a fun experience. The Stag has been interstate many times. (Melbourne Perth, 7,000 km round trip) The Sprint just once - I went to Melbourne to get the manual for the Stag (and everything to do the conversion/previously auto) and it was a very capable long legged cruiser. Out in the desert, it cruised very comfortably at 130 kmh all day - AND got very surprising economy while doing it. (I thought the fuel gauge had stuck !!) So yeah, both nice cars in their own way. But I find a comparison pointless, they are just so completely different.

[@andrewstevenson6540]

That Dolly looks absolutely stunning. When I was a youngster in the early 80s my brother bought a non running 1850 and converted it into a Sprint. The engine just kept on pulling when most cars back then would demand a gear change. Always put wide grins on the faces of driver and passengers.❤

[@ArryTheStag]

Thanks Andrew - likewise, I remember my Manager at work when I was just 17 picking me up to take me to a company Christmas do. In his Inca Yellow Dolly Sprint with black interior ..it made a lasting impression I must say.. Best TR T

[@tbeau6663]

At the time as a schoolboy, I loved the Stag. Today I'd have the Sprint as a classic motor

[@dougalmcdougal8682]

I’d have em both …

[@marct7813]

Owned an Unrestored 1979 Sprint for 24 years and I love it.

[@nickyboy.]

5:30 twin exhausts run down the near side of the car (not the offside as stated in the video)

[@davidevans4089]

I Like them both, was lucky enough to have two sprints during the eighties. Always wanted a stag but could never afford a decent one.

[@ArryTheStag]

Gorgeous Cars - would love to have a drive in one! Best TR T

[@Jay-ru3mu]

Would Love Someone To Do a Modern Render of Them Both, But Stay True To The Original Design. Both still Beautiful Cars.

[@Imfat8888]

i passed my driving test in my fathers white dolomite sprint back in 1983,, beautiful car,

[@geoffbembridge868]

Love both carts, but, definitely the sprint.

[@plasticpenguin1]

As I've owned both, the Sprint was very special to me. My Sprint was one of the last ever made, September 1980 in Inca Yellow. Production of all Dolomites ceased in that month.

[@plasticpenguin1]

If someone was ask my perfect classic 3 car garage, the Sprint would be one of the 3, along with a MK1 Lotus Cortina and a Lancia Delta Integrale. I've owned numerous Triumphs over the decades, nearly all, other than a Herald, had the slant 4 engine or Stag (twin 1850 plant) and mechanically or overheating was never an issue. For me to gravitate to a car I have to love a particular car rather than like it. The Sprint gets my fizzy bits fizzing. I've owned Alfas since 2006 for the same reason.

[@alanthomson1227]

Always wanted a Stag , had a Dolly 1850 HL , LOVED IT AT TIME .

[@nottinghamman4839]

I started my apprenticeship on dolomite sprints in 1977 with Notts Police vehicles. They had 2 batches on N reg, the only difference being overdrive and none overdrive. For the early 1970,s their design and performance was brilliant and were well liked. The main problem was their reliability, head gaskets and big ends being the major problems. BL sent us a specially rebuilt engine also which lasted 3 weeks. I personally loved them and had one myself for some years. Great car.

[@ArryTheStag]

Thanks for posting - hopefully once we’ve seen the damage and whether ir not it can be saved… we’ll have a lovely car once again!! ‘Appy Days!

[@nottinghamman4839]

Yes good luck finding an engine. If you have no luck and you have the broken pieces there are engineering companies that do block repairs/stitching that are very successful. Notts Police also had Triumph 2500 TC and 2500 PI. The PI version didn’t last long as they were unreliable, again head gaskets if remember correctly. The 2500 TC were bulletproof.

[@drivingandflying]

My first choice is the Dolomite Sprint, even though I've not owned an example of either car.

[@markbullock1931]

Dolomite for me I learnt to drive in KJU 34L. An 1850hl. God I wish my Dad had kept that car!

[@doodsydoodsy5370]

I had a stag which had been converted to a Ford 3ltr v6 back in 1986 loved that car, always wanted a dolly never got round to getting one

[@daveshongkongchinachannel]

I travelled in a number of Triumphs as a kid including quite a few Stags (including manual and auto versions) and Dolomites (both 1850 and Sprint). And I even got to drive a Sprint owned by the older brother of a friend, not long after I passed my driving test. In many ways it should be an easy choice to go for the Stag with that unique sounding V8 and the more exotic configuration but the Dolomite not only had similar performance and more practicality, it was very refined, cruised comfortably at motorway speeds and shared the similar and highly desirable dash design. At the end of the day I think I would be equally happy with either.

[@ArryTheStag]

Thanks Dave - I'd love to have a drive in a Dolly Sprint to find out! Gorgeous all of them!! Join us on a weekend www.arrythestag.com/saturday-sockets All the best TR T

[@timewilltella39]

I would pick the dolly all day long I had 2 back in the day a blue and a yellow one with a full length rag top I used to love throwing them around roundabouts sideways you just can't beat a decked slammed out dolly

[@garytauber430]

I always drove my white dolomite like a racing car

[@Tryingtimes007]

Compared to other vehicles of the day the wiper blades always felt ‘back to front’ even when they were left hand drive.

[@davidhills3100]

Did the Jensen-Healey not pre-date the Dolly Sprint, both as the first 16-valve production car in the UK and with alloy wheels as standard?

[@frankabels5761]

In my opinion this is like camparing apples with prars. I mean the stag is a cabrio the dolomite isn't...but nevertheless a very nice informative vid...👍

[@anthonyfox8686]

There was no comparison given between the Sprint & the Stag !

[@martinjamessmith1045]

The sprint for me , nice little tool in my day ,, always thought the stag was a ladies car for me , still do ,

[@laurelgreentriumph]

Great video Tony - did you get Chris to incorrectly describe his car colour as "Old English White" just to wind me up?! 'Arry the Staaaag!!! They both look great in TRIUMPH WHITE please don't ask me to choose...

[@chriscurtis5958]

LaurelGreen you are of course correct. Triumph white paint code 19. Apologies force of habit, although to confuse things my Stag is listed as New White on the Heritage Certificate and is also paint code 19.

[@laurelgreentriumph]

@@chriscurtis5958 Yes the key thing is the paint code 19. If you look at various Triumph documents to find the name, you might find it described as Triumph White, New White, or just White, depending on the source.

[@mikemorris3421]

The Jensen Healey was the first production car with 16v engine and alloy wheels.

[@chriscurtis5958]

The groundbreaking Dolomite Sprint was powered by the first mass-production 16-valve engine, and was the first Brit to have alloy wheels as standard. Its cylinder head won a Design Council award, and it was offered with an optional limited-slip differential. Touring car racing prowess on track and luxury on the road resulted in the sort of premium compact saloon Germany churns out today by the million. Such a pity, then, that BL seemed incapable of giving it the quality it deserved. Then again, its twee, ageing 1960s styling disguised with 1970s vinyl and stripes demonstrated how cash-strapped its development had been - making its achievements all the more remarkable. People forget now, but with Andy Rouse and Tony Dron at the wheel, Dolomite Sprints won back to back British Touring Car Championship titles in 1974 and 1975, were strong front runners until 1978, and even managed to finish the notoriously car-wrecking 1974 Spa 24-Hours in fifth place overall.

[@chriscurtis5958]

I think the key word here is Mass and how you define it, 10000 Jensen Healey's were built with the majority going to the US, that's less than half of the number of Sprint's produced globally.

[@mikemorris3421]

@@chriscurtis5958 I'm not sure of the exact numbers but thought there were about 10,000 Healeys plus about 500 GTs (fixed head version) and about 20,000 sprints. As you say depends on your definition of mass production, in the spectrum of car production I feel they sit at a similar point. I have owned both in the 70s and have a GT now, for their time they were great cars.

[@DavidUKesb]

Both are great cars and really nothing much in it. Stag looks better whilst the Dolomite is a little more practical and has better mpg.

[@adamski101]

Sprint >>>>>> Stag

[@philiplarmour1572]

Hi Harry, I have both a Stag (76 Java Green manual O/D) and a Sprint (Chassis 3443- see this video- kzbin.info/www/bejne/hKrYi593paeUoJI). Both are great cars in their own right but neither is better than the other as each appeals to a different demographic. The sprint is the more performance oriented, but the Stag is a great car for country cruise, particularly on Australia roads. I have no intentions of selling either.

[@ArryTheStag]

Well done Philip - I love them both too and would really enjoy driving a Sprint too I reckon! All the best TR T

[@iankidd1257]

STAG 🙂

[@andrewbaird509]

Staaaaag

[@whatever007]

Stag

[@lewis72]

Did anyone put a Stag V8 in a Dolly ?

[@chriscurtis5958]

Yes someone did put a Stag engine in a Dolly, but I believe they had to slightly increase the length of the front wings to get it to fit. Not sure if it still survives in that guise now

[@lewis72]

@@chriscurtis5958 I think that the Rover V8 drops straight in... give or take.

[@neilbrown5360]

I had one in a 2 door Toledo. Easier fit than the Rover V8 as its shorter and narrower. The extra weight doesn't do the handling any favours. The Stag engine is currently in my Triumph Estate and the Rover V8 is back in the Toledo. The same Toledo has also had a Sprint engine fitted between the original Rover V8 conversion and the Stag engine being fitted

[@lewis72]

@@neilbrown5360 Sounds interesting ! I often wondered what cars could have been made and sold if BL had done a bit more engine swapping. Jag V12 in the SD1 ? I like the idea of a Rover 5300 Vanden Plas EFi. Toledo Sprint would have been a good idea too. TR7 2-litre in the Dolomite ?

[@martinjackson565]

Sprint

[@StagStuff]

Staaaaaaag every time 🙂

[@grahamepigney8565]

Can't compare them. Dolly Sprints are medium sized performance sallons competing with the likes of the 2002/3-series BMWs. The Stag was a luxury sport convertible. Chalk and Cheese.

[@timcotsford2056]

Sprint

[@whatever007]

Stag

[@toneskill]

Stag