Rico's 1973 Triumph Dolomite Sprint Rebuild
1973 Triumph Dolomite Sprint – Rebuild (Retro Rides)
Read the full write-up at 1973 Triumph Dolomite Sprint – Rebuild (Retro Rides) ↗
Photo: 1973 Triumph Dolomite Sprint – Rebuild (Retro Rides)Rebuild of a 1973 Triumph Dolomite Sprint from a rotten shell and a bargain body
Rico, a Dutch owner, bought a running but badly rusted Dolomite Sprint in 2010 and began cutting out corrosion before deciding a full restoration was needed. A lucky find of a professionally restored bare body for cheap let him transfer running gear across, and the car returned to the road in 2012 with its mechanical issues largely sorted.
Specs
As stated in the original write-up.
- Engine
- Sprint 16-valve engine with K&N air filters fitted
- Cooling
- Kenlowe electric fan, later converted toward electric water pump setup
- Fuel system
- Electric fuel pump fitted
- Brakes
- Steel braided brake hoses fitted
- Wheels
- Restored Sprint wheels with Yokohama A539 tyres fitted
- Interior
- New carpet set fitted
Parts used
Parts named as used in the original write-up, grouped the way the Parts page groups them. Where one of the shops we index lists the same thing for this car, it is shown underneath with a link to the shop.
Engine 4
- K&N air filters
Fitted as part of flowed head setup
- Home-made oil cooler
Fitted to the engine before purchase
- Brass blanking plug
Used to fill the old water pump hole
In the shops
Manifold Blanking Plug ↗
TRGB· £5.72 GBP
1/2 Inch Blanking Plug ↗TRGB· £0.83 GBP
Steering Column Blanking Plug ↗TRGB· £1.27 GBP - Helicoil repair kit
Used to fix a worn thread in an exhaust manifold hole
Fuel & Ignition 1
- Electric fuel pump
Fitted to the car as an upgrade
Cooling 1
- Kenlowe electric fan
Fitted to combat overheating, though not fully curing it
Brakes 1
- Steel braided brake hoses
Fitted as a brake hose upgrade
In the shops
Front Braided Stainless Steel Brake Hose ↗James Paddock Ltd· £19.95 GBP
Brake Hose Set (Stainless Steel Braided) ↗
Rear Brake Hose - Braided Stainless Steel ↗
Wheels & Tyres 1
- Yokohama A539 tyres
Fitted on the restored Sprint wheels
In the shops
Yokohama A539 Tyre ↗Retroford (Gloucester)· £0.00 GBP
Yokohama A539 185/60R13 80H Tyre ↗Retroford (Gloucester)· £77.68 GBPYokohama A539 175/60R13 77H Tyre ↗Retroford (Gloucester)· £77.68 GBP
Interior 1
- New carpet set
Fitted to the restored shell, required custom moulding
Other 1
- Galvanised brake lines
Steel brake lines sent to a local shop to be galvanised instead of replaced
Photos
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How it was done
Starting condition
The owner, Rico, had owned several Dolomites before finding this 1973 Dolomite Sprint in driving condition for 1000 euros, already fitted with K&N filters, a Kenlowe fan, electric fuel pump and a home-made oil cooler. The sills, rear arches, door bottoms and front of the car were badly rotten.
Early attempts and setback
He began cutting and welding the rusty panels but soon realised patching was not enough and that he would need to save money for a full restoration. Mechanical faults also appeared: an unidentified engine rattle, a rough idle below 1200rpm despite a fresh ignition system, and chronic overheating traced partly to a failing water pump.
A lucky body find
In November 2011 Rico bought a bare, professionally restored Dolomite Sprint bodyshell with a chequered roof for 500 euros from a bankrupt seller in Belgium, saving years of bodywork. He stripped the old rotten shell and began transferring the wiring loom, dash, pedal box, subframe, brake servo and master cylinder across.
Reassembly
Parts were sandblasted and powdercoated, brake lines galvanised, a new carpet set fitted, and the water pump replaced with a blanking plug ahead of fitting an electric water pump controller. A worn exhaust manifold thread was repaired with a helicoil, and missing subframe rubbers briefly halted reassembly.
Back on the road
By February 2012 the car was back on its wheels, and by May 2012 it was driving well with a good engine note, though small dents, scratches and some technical issues still needed attention, along with plans for wheels, trim and chrome.
A summary in our own words. The full account, with all its detail, is in the original write-up: read it at 1973 Triumph Dolomite Sprint – Rebuild (Retro Rides) ↗