Triumph Dolomite (pre-1940)

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For the 1970s car of the same name, see Triumph Dolomite.

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 Vitesse models.

1 Dolomite Straight 8
2 Dolomite 14/60 and 16
3 Dolomite Roadster
4 Dolomite 1½ litre
5 External links
6 References

[edit] Dolomite Straight 8

Triumph Dolomite 8
Manufacturer	Triumph Motor Company
Production	1934-1935 3 made
Body style	2 door open tourer
Engine	1991 cc Straight 8
Transmission	4 speed pre-selector
Wheelbase	104 inches (2640 mm)

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. 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. The engine output was 120 bhp 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 coventional 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One of the cars was entered in the 1935 Monte Carlo Rally driven by Donald Healey but was withdrawn after a collision with a railway train on a level crossing in Denmmark.

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	4 door saloon
Engine	1767 cc In-line 4 (14/60) 1991 cc In-line 6 (16)
Wheelbase	110 inches (2794 mm)
Length	177 inches (4496 mm)
Width	67 inches (1702 mm)

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 and featured a striking new design of radiator grille. 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
Body style	2 door tourer
Engine	1767 cc In-line 4 1991 cc In-line 6
Transmission	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 avialble 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. 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	4 door saloon
Engine	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.