1977 Triumph Dolomite
The "Dolomite" History
The Dolomite was the final addition to Triumph's complex 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 1300 cc (79 cu in) engine and front-wheel drive. Later models featured a remodeled front and rear, styled by Michelotti, and a larger
1500 cc (92 cu in) engine, becoming the Triumph 1500.
Triumph were however dissatisfied with the market performance of the car; although successful, the higher price and greater complexity meant sales never reached the levels of its predecessor, the simpler and cheaper Herald. To this end the car was
re-engineered in 1970 as the Triumph Toledo, a cheaper and more basic variant with conventional rear wheel drive, which was made alongside the front wheel drive
version.
In 1972, the Triumph Dolomite was released. Designed as the successor for the
up market variants of the front-wheel drive designs, and also for the 6-cylinder
Triumph Vitesse, a sporting relative of the Herald. 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 car used the longer body shell of the front wheel drive Triumph 1500, but with the majority of the running gear carried over from the rear wheel drive Triumph Toledo.
Initially, the only version available used the new slant-four 1854 cc engine,
providing 95 bhp (71 kW) and offering sprightly performance. This was a version of the engine that the company was already providing to Saab for use in their
99 model.
The car was aimed at the then-new compact performance-luxury sector, vying for sales against cars such as the BMW 2002 and Ford Cortina GXL, and was offered with a high level of standard equipment, including twin headlamps, a clock, full
instrumentation, luxury seats and carpets, a heated rear window, and a cigar lighter. Styling was similar to the Triumph 1500, with some updates such as a black painted rear panel, Vinyl D-posts, and new wheel trims. The car was capable of 100 mph (160 km/h), with 60 mph (97 km/h) coming up in just over 11 seconds. An overdrive gearbox was soon made optional, offering relaxed motorway cruising and improved fuel economy, and there was also an optional automatic transmission
The "Dolomite" History
The Dolomite was the final addition to Triumph's complex 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 1300 cc (79 cu in) engine and front-wheel drive. Later models featured a remodeled front and rear, styled by Michelotti, and a larger
1500 cc (92 cu in) engine, becoming the Triumph 1500.
Triumph were however dissatisfied with the market performance of the car; although successful, the higher price and greater complexity meant sales never reached the levels of its predecessor, the simpler and cheaper Herald. To this end the car was
re-engineered in 1970 as the Triumph Toledo, a cheaper and more basic variant with conventional rear wheel drive, which was made alongside the front wheel drive
version.
In 1972, the Triumph Dolomite was released. Designed as the successor for the
up market variants of the front-wheel drive designs, and also for the 6-cylinder
Triumph Vitesse, a sporting relative of the Herald. 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 car used the longer body shell of the front wheel drive Triumph 1500, but with the majority of the running gear carried over from the rear wheel drive Triumph Toledo.
Initially, the only version available used the new slant-four 1854 cc engine,
providing 95 bhp (71 kW) and offering sprightly performance. This was a version of the engine that the company was already providing to Saab for use in their
99 model.
The car was aimed at the then-new compact performance-luxury sector, vying for sales against cars such as the BMW 2002 and Ford Cortina GXL, and was offered with a high level of standard equipment, including twin headlamps, a clock, full
instrumentation, luxury seats and carpets, a heated rear window, and a cigar lighter. Styling was similar to the Triumph 1500, with some updates such as a black painted rear panel, Vinyl D-posts, and new wheel trims. The car was capable of 100 mph (160 km/h), with 60 mph (97 km/h) coming up in just over 11 seconds. An overdrive gearbox was soon made optional, offering relaxed motorway cruising and improved fuel economy, and there was also an optional automatic transmission