1977 Triumph Dolomite Sprint
£ 55000
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Body
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Rally Car
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Transmission
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Manual
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Exterior Color
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Black
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Upholstery
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Cloth
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Steering
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Rhd
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VIN
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98424
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1977 Triumph
Dolomite Sprint
Chassis 98424
THE FASTEST GROUP 1 DOLOMITE SPRINT THERE IS! LAPS GOODWOOD IN 1:32
RACE PREPARED AS A BROADSPEED TRIBUTE CAR WITH NO EXPENSE SPARED
HAS FIA HTP PAPERS VALID TO 2029 & RECENTLY SERVICED
ENTERED FOR THE 2021 GERRY MARSHALL TROPHY
The Dolomite Sprint was the high-performance version of Triumph’s attractive Michelotti-designed mid-size saloon car. With 127bhp on tap through its rear wheels via a 2-litre 16-Valve engine, the Dolomite Sprint road car in standard production form was capable of of an impressive 119mph (192 km/h) and 0-60mph in just 8.4 seconds, very raced for 1973!
As well as its award-winning 16-Valve cylinder head design (a first for a British production engine, which the cunningly operated four valves per cylinder running off a single camshaft), other upgrades included bigger brakes to cope with the extra power, plus a close-ratio gearbox (with optional overdrive), a limited slip differential. In addition, bigger carburettors, free-flowing exhaust systems and competition camshafts were offered to customers via British Leyland’s Special Tuning department in Abingdon. As an interesting aside, as well as being Britain’s first 16V production car, the Triumph Dolomite Sprint was also the UK’s first car to feature alloy wheels as standard.
The sporting multi-valve Triumph saloon enjoyed a successful competition career. It made its racing debut in the British Saloon Car Championship (BTCC) in 1974, and the following year, Andy Rouse claimed the first of his (joint) record four championships driving a Dolomite Sprint for the Broadspeed team. Although less well suited to the forests, a Dolomite nonetheless won its class on the 1975 RAC Rally too, in the hands of Brian Culcheth. The 16V Sprint engine also powered some Formula 3 cars, including a young Nigel Mansell, who scored his first F3 victory in a Triumph-powered March for the works Unipart team.
Prepared as a tribute to the Broadspeed BTCC Dolomite team, this competition Sprint was actually raced in the Willhire 24 Hours race at Snetterton in period. With the inspired revival of 1970s and 80s touring car racing as a key part of the annual Goodwood Members’ Meeting, this Triumph has been consistently invited to compete in all of the Goodwood events, from the 72nd Members’ Meeting onwards. It was acquired by the late, great auctioneer and long-standing supporter of Goodwood, Robert Brookes in order to have a car to enter the event. Since Brookes had retired from racing, he entrusted ace historic racer James Wood to take his place behind the wheel, who over the years was partnered by Steve Soper, Marino Franchitti and Charlie March. The car again successfully competed in the Gerry Marshall Trophy race at the 78th Goodwood Member’s meeting, once again proving its competitiveness. Freshly serviced and with its gearbox and back axle recently being rebuilt, the car is a fantastic and fun opportunity for someone who wishes to race on Goodwood's hallowed tarmac.
