Triumph Dolomite

Triumph Dolomite
Overview
Manufacturer	Triumph Motor Company
Production	1972–1980 204,003 made (All versions)
Designer	Giovanni Michelotti
Body and chassis
Class	Sports sedan
Body style	4-door saloon
Layout	FR layout
Platform	"Project Ajax"
Dimensions
Wheelbase	96 in (2,438 mm)
Length	162 in (4,115 mm)
Width	62 in (1,575 mm)
Chronology
Predecessor	Triumph Toledo Triumph 1300 Triumph 1500
Successor	Triumph Acclaim

Triumph Dolomite / Dolomite 1850HL
Overview
Production	1972–1980 79,010 made
Powertrain
Engine	1,854 cc (113 cu in) Straight-4

Triumph Dolomite Sprint
1973 Triumph Dolomite Sprint.
Overview
Production	1973–1980 22,941 made 1973 - 5,446 1974 - 4,232 1975 - 3,589 1976 - 4,035 1977 - 2,554 1978 - 1,352 1979 - 1,240 1980 - 493
Powertrain
Engine	1,998 cc (122 cu in) Straight-4 SOHC with 4 valves per cylinder

Triumph Dolomite 1300,1500 & 1500HL
Late model Triumph Dolomite 1500
Overview
Production	1976–1980 32,031 made (1300 version) 70,021 made (1500-1500HL)

The Triumph Dolomite is a popular small saloon car that was produced by the Triumph Motor Company division of the British Leyland Corporation in Canley, Coventry between October 1972 and August 1980.

The Dolomite was the final addition to Triumph's small-car range (codenamed "Project Ajax"), which had started in 1965 with the Triumph 1300. Designed to be a replacement for the rear-wheel drive Triumph Herald, the 1300 was originally fitted with a 1,296 cc (79 cu in) engine and front-wheel drive. The later model, introduced in September 1970 as the Triumph 1500, featured a remodelled front and rear, styled by Michelotti, and a larger 1,493 cc (91 cu in) engine.

Triumph were however dissatisfied with the market performance of the 1300; although it had been moderately successful, the higher price and greater complexity meant sales never reached the levels of the simpler and cheaper Herald which preceded it. In an attempt to improve matters, the car was comprehensively re-engineered. Launched in September 1970, the Triumph Toledo was a cheaper and more basic variant of the 1300, but with conventional rear-wheel drive. This new model was assembled alongside the now larger-engined front-wheel drive version (the Triumph 1500) which was launched at the same time as the Toledo.

Designed as the successor for the upmarket variants of the front-wheel drive designs, and also to replace a sporting relative of the Herald, the 6-cylinder Triumph Vitesse, the Triumph Dolomite was unveiled at the London Motor Show in October 1971. However, due to a number of strikes and other industrial upsets, the car was not reported to be in full production until October 1972. The name "Dolomite" had been used by Triumph for a range of models prior to the Second World War and this name was revived for the new car. The Dolomite used the longer bodyshell of the front wheel drive Triumph 1500, but with the majority of the running gear carried over from the rear-wheel drive Triumph Toledo.