Triumph Dolomite (pre-1940)
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| Triumph Dolomite | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Triumph Motor Company |
| Production | 1934-1939 |
The Triumph Dolomite was a car that first appeared in 1934 as a sports car and reused on a series of sporting saloons and open cars until 1939 when the Triumph Motor Company went into receivership. All except the Straight 8 featured a "waterfall" grille styled by Walter Belgrove, versions of the saloons with conventional grilles were sold as Continental models.[1]
Contents |
[edit] Dolomite Straight 8
| Triumph Dolomite 8 | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Triumph Motor Company |
| Production | 1934-1935 3 made[2] |
| Body style(s) | 2 door open tourer |
| Engine(s) | 1991 cc Straight 8 |
| Transmission(s) | 4 speed pre-selector |
| Wheelbase | 104 inches (2640 mm)[3] |
The first use of the Dolomite name was in 1934, when it was used for a 8 cylinder sports car which resembled the Alfa Romeo 8C[2]. However this car did not make production, only 3 being made. The engine was of 1990 cc capacity with twin overhead camshafts and fitted with a Roots type supercharger[2]. The engine output was 120 bhp (89 kW) at 5500 rpm giving the car a top speed of over 110 mph (175km/h). Lockheed hydraulic brakes with large 16 inch (400 mm) drums were fitted. The pressed steel chassis was conventional with a beam front axle and half elliptic springs all round.
One of the cars was entered in the 1935 Monte Carlo Rally driven by Donald Healey but was withdrawn after a collision with a railway train on a level crossing in Denmark.[4]
Largely because of the financial troubles of the company the car never went into production. Some spare engines and chassis were later assembled into complete cars by a London company called High Speed Motors (HSM).
[edit] Dolomite 14/60 and 16
| Triumph Dolomite 14/60 and 16 | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Triumph Motor Company |
| Production | 1937-1939 |
| Body style(s) | 4 door saloon |
| Engine(s) | 1767 cc In-line 4 (14/60) 1991 cc In-line 6 (16) |
| Wheelbase | 110 inches (2794 mm)[3] |
| Length | 177 inches (4496 mm)[3] |
| Width | 67 inches (1702 mm)[3] |
The Dolomite name was again used from 1937 to 1939. The car this time had a 1767 cc four cylinder engine and saloon body. The design was overseen by Donald Healey [4]and featured a striking new design of radiator grille by Walter Belgrove.[2] The cars were marketed as "the finest in all the land" and targeted directly at the luxury sporting saloon market.
There was also a 6 cylinder version, the 2-Litre or 16 of 1991 cc capacity. The cars received excellent reviews from the period motoring press.
[edit] Dolomite Roadster
| Triumph Dolomite Roadster | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Manufacturer | Triumph Motor Company |
| Production | 1937-1939 200 (approx) made[2] |
| Body style(s) | 2 door tourer |
| Engine(s) | 1767 cc In-line 4 1991 cc In-line 6 |
| Transmission(s) | 4 speed manual |
This was an open version of the 14/60 with seating for three people and a dickey seat for two more people behind. The car was available with either the 1767 cc engine with twin SU carburettors or 1991 cc engine with triple SUs. The 4 speed manual transmission had synchromesh on the top 3 ratios. The six cylinder 2-Litre version could reach 90 mph (140 km/h). Lockheed hydraulic brakes were fitted with 12 inch (300 mmm) drums. The body was built from aluminium over a wooden frame.
A coupé version was shown but never went into production.
[edit] Dolomite 1½ litre
| Triumph Dolomite 1½ litre | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Triumph Motor Company |
| Production | 1938-1939 |
| Body style(s) | 4 door saloon |
| Engine(s) | 1496 cc or 1767 cc In-line 4 |
In 1938 a smaller engined version with 1496 cc engine was announced and available as a saloon or tourer. The 1767 cc engine was an option at first but became standard in 1939.[2]
[edit] External links
- The Pre 1940 Triumph Owners Club - For the original Dolomite
- CRL 810 - Restoration site of a 1937 Triumph Dolomite
[edit] References
- ^ Robson, Graham; Langworth. Triumph Cars: The Complete Story. UK: Motor Racing Publications. ISBN 1-899870-72-5.
- ^ a b c d e f Sedgwick, M. (1989). A-Z of Cars of the 1930s. Devon, UK: Bay View Books. ISBN 1-870979-38-9.
- ^ a b c d Culshaw; Horrobin (1974). Complete Catalogue of British Cars. London: Macmillan. ISBN 0-333-16689-2.
- ^ a b Robson, Graham (1972). he Story of Triumph Sports Cars. UK: Motor Racing Publications. ISBN 0-900549-23-8.
- A-Z of Cars of the 1930s Michael Sedgwick and Mark Gillies. Bay View Books. 1989. ISBN 1-870979-38-9
- Triumph Cars: The Complete Story by Graham Robson and Richard Langworth. ISBN-10: 1899870725 ISBN-13: 978-1899870721
