Ownership Verified: My Brooklands Green sports saloon...

[captain_70s]

and Cap, who's constantly playing Hamlet with 70s BL shit and will one day give in and end up being stranded on the side of the road by a steaming pile of Dolomite.

An eerie premonition...

So, it's a 1977 Triumph Dolomite 1300... (Hear that? That's the sound of money being invested incredibly poorly.)

Last week I noticed two cars for sale within 20 miles of my the Dolly 1300 and a Triumph 1500TC, the TC sold before I got a chance to see it but I went to view the Dolly. Went for a spin, fell in love, haggled the price down a bit and bought it.
Insurance is still ridiculous, ?880 for a garaged 2nd car doing 4000 miles a year, but meh, as good as I planned for. Drives well, much more fun than the Yaris... Also louder, slower, guzzles fuel and the gearbox is like marbles in a sea of jelly. Oh, and I can't understand how the boot lock works, mostly it doesn't.

The side mirror shakes all over the place at speed (50mph+), 60mph is a deafening racket, the heated rear screen is a nice gesture but doesn't really work and the wipers are beyond the point of feeble.

The history suggests is was a BL company car, registered in Coventry, which was then sold to the employee. He kept it until 2000 or so, when it was SORN'd for a year and then sold.

 

[Andeh]

I hope you're handy with spanners. Enjoy it! Old car ownership is a wonderful thing, so much more enjoyable than modern stuff.

Regular updates & progress please.

 

[Spectre]

I would suggest investing in a fire extinguisher or three - that Lucas wiring harness has to be nice and crispy by now...

 

[EyeMWing]

(Hear that? That's the sound of money being invested incredibly poorly.

All cars make that noise.

 

[captain_70s]

I would suggest investing in a fire extinguisher or three - that Lucas wiring harness has to be nice and crispy by now...

I actually asked the current owner if he had one, he didn't. It's on the "to buy before I use" list. :lol:

 

[Matt2000]

You scared me for a second, at first glance I thought you bought a Marina. Looks nice and tidy, keep the rust at bay, stock up on wiring harness smoke refills and it should be a sound investment.

Also I didn't realise that they used the Jaeger fuel/temp gauge on anything other than old Land Rovers. Should've known I suppose being BL. :lol:

 

[public]

Oh my god. I congratulate you for pulling the trigger and getting exactly what you want. Seriously, this more than makes up for whatever personality void the Yaris might have. This is good.

 

[Dr_Grip]

I hate to say it, but the car looks brilliant. See if the fuel consumption is that much worse than the Yaris', and if it's not, sell the Yaris and make it your daily driver. I only got the Kadett, as well, and that works like a charm.

EDIT: The Dolly was the Kadett/Chevette's direct competitor, so I somehow hope it should get about the same mileage as I do (see below).

 

[Matt2000]

See if the fuel consumption is that much worse than the Yaris'

Oh it will be, this being a British engine. I swear most of the petrol going in to them comes right back out again. If he can prove me wrong I'll eat a hat.

 

[Conan]

So finally you have a car that totally suited you! It looks brilliant as well.

 

[Andeh]

Oh it will be, this being a British engine. I swear most of the petrol going in to them comes right back out again. If he can prove me wrong I'll eat a hat.

I hope you're not speaking for all British engines here. Mine isn't that appalling*.

Also, I love the carpet. That's fantastic. :lol:

*But it is 997cc

 

[captain_70s]

The previous owner was getting 30-35mpg, so that sounds about right. It is running a bit rough though, I'm suspecting a carb/fuel supply problem, with a bit of work 35-40mpg shouldn't be out of the question.

Although his driving is involves a steady 50mph wheras the Toyota's is usually a steady 60+ and it still gives 48mpg! :lol:


And yup, shag carpets inside, real wood dash, chunky controls, inertia reel seatbelts, heater, radio, heated rear screen. It's pure luxury, not like some crappy Escort or Chevette...

 

[Lupin_IV]

Is the shifter boot supposed to be carpeted?

 

[captain_70s]

Is the shifter boot supposed to be carpeted?

Yup. :lol:

 

[Labcoatguy]

That shifter boot looks like a Snuffleupagus penis.

 

[thevictor390]

Most important question: Is it faster than the Yaris? :lol:

Kudos for pulling the trigger, I just hope it lives up to your expectations. It certainly does in style.

 

[captain_70s]

Most important question: Is it faster than the Yaris? :lol:

Kudos for pulling the trigger, I just hope it lives up to your expectations. It certainly does in style.

It certainly isn't, the Yaris sits at 90mph quieter, smoother and more fuel efficiently than the Dolly does at 60mph despite having one less cylinder and 300cc less engine. :lol: I do have some vague plans involving different carbs and an O/D gearbox though...

Of course it does it with style, it's a Michelotti design!

 

[Perc]

(Most relevant at 0:30)

 

[geeman]

Awesome

 

[ChuckMoritz]

Nice!

Altough wenn I first read 'My Brooklands', I expected something else