Lot 353: 1973 Triumph Dolomite Sprint Race Saloon

First registered in January 1974 and having been a daily driver in the 1970s, this 1973-manufactured Dolomite Sprint 16v 2-litre saloon was prepared for Group 1 production car racing, first competing at Brands Hatch in March 1980. Having reportedly gained a blue-printed engine from Roger Dowson, the car went on to compete in the Munroe and Wilcomatic Production Saloon Car Championship during the early 1980s with regular race appearances at Silverstone, Mallory Park, Oulton Park, Thruxton and the newly re-opened Donington. The car’s best result was a 3rd place in the Wilcomatic series. Following a period in storage, the car re-emerged to take a class win in the 1991 Welsh Sports and Saloon Championship with a 2nd in class in 1995, and became class winner and overall BARC Wales Sprint Champion in 1996 with a win at Llandow.
Formerly in Mallard Green, the body shell has recently been fully stripped down by Model-Tec and repainted in period Allpaints-Berger livery in homage to the Robb Gravett/Rae Davis Willhire raced Triumph No 24. The standard Dolomite dashboard in wood has been retained and the alloy wheels have been refurbished. A further set of four spares are included. The vendor tells us that the Group 1 race engine is still fitted as are ventilated front discs, a very rare and lap time reducing upgrade for this model, and the stripped out interior equipped with a full FIA-spec roll-cage. Apart from a new laminated front screen, an invoice on file details fresh updating of all the mandatory safety equipment by Chris Snowdon of CSR with 2009 event compliant bucket seat and full harness, Lifeline plumbed-in 4-litres capacity fire extinguisher and rain light fitted.
Registration and manufacturing numbers are confirmed by a V5, the car being MOT’d for the road until June when a SORN was issued, while a set of FIA Homologation Papers for the Dolomite Sprint are included. We understand that this 1970s Post Historic category eligible saloon should be able to compete in Masters Top Hat ‘Stars of the 70s’, Classic Touring Car Racing Club ‘Post Historic Saloons’, ASAVE TC Challenge events with the potential to race at Pau and take part in a Dijon 3 Hours, as well as FIA Youngtimers.