Triumph Dolomite 1973–1980 car dimensions: 4115 mm long, 1568 mm wide and 1372 mm high. Unladen weight is 1,015 kg. Braked towing is 762 kg.
The cabin has reclining cloth seats, walnut dash and door cappings, wall-to-wall carpets, full instrumentation and a comprehensive heating and ventilating system. Heated rear window is standard. Steering wheel adjusts for rake and reach. seats offer height and tilt adjustment. Glovebox, map pockets and parcel shelves are fitted. Rear has a folding central armrest with decent leg and headroom for the size. Overdrive was optional then became standard. radio arrived as standard later. No electronic driver aids appear in period specs.
Boot space is claimed at 9.4 cu ft of usable volume in a regular shape. It takes luggage or a picnic with chairs for most needs but is tight for a full family of four. Access is easy yet the high lip makes loading awkward.
Handbook figures list 762 kg for a braked trailer and the same unbraked limit in published data. Gross vehicle weight around 1375-1380 kg supports a payload near 339 kg. Uprated front springs and dampers plus larger rear dampers and anti-roll bars handle the extra power. A viscous cooling fan is fitted. The car suits light towing or everyday loads but is no heavy hauler.
The cabin uses walnut veneer on the dash and door cappings with fitted carpets and Bri-Nylon cloth seats. Front seats recline and adjust, with height and tilt on some. the leather-rimmed wheel adjusts for rake and reach. Rear seats have a retractable centre armrest. Heating and ventilation is comprehensive with face-level fresh air vents and a heated rear window as standard. The layout feels roomy and supportive for a compact saloon, with good visibility and quiet running.
Petrol engine, twin SU carbs. 57-litre tank.
Claimed steady 70 mph consumption around 32 mpg. real-world averages often 23-30 mpg.
Seat belts standard. servo-assisted front discs and larger rear drums with load-sensitive valve.
Laminated windscreen standard from 1976. dual-circuit brakes on later cars.
Oil changes recommended every 3000 miles or annually. cooling system needs careful maintenance.
The Sprint runs on petrol with twin SU carburettors and a 57-litre tank. Period claims put steady 70 mph economy near 32 mpg. road tests commonly returned 23-30 mpg depending on driving and overdrive use. Range exceeds 300 miles in normal use.
Servicing centres on regular oil and filter changes, ideally every 3000 miles. The alloy head on iron block demands correct coolant and a healthy radiator plus viscous fan to avoid overheating and warping. Timing chain, carbs and brakes need periodic attention. parts remain available through specialists.
Safety kit includes standard seat belts, servo front discs with uprated pads, larger rear drums and a load-sensitive proportioning valve. Later cars gained dual circuits and a laminated screen. No published crash-test ratings appear for the generation. Brakes and handling earn praise for control in period tests.
Keep the car by watching for rust in structural areas and vinyl roof, maintaining the cooling system, and using the correct fluids. Regular services and specialist knowledge keep it reliable for daily or enthusiast use.
Length 4115 mm, Width 1568 mm, Height 1372 mm, Wheelbase 2454 mm (Dolomite 1973–1980)
Sources: manufacturer data, carfolio.com, auto-data.net, motorlegend.com and contemporary road tests.