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![[Photo]](t_1300.png)
Drawing by
Stefan Pettersson.
Introduced in 1965, it was the first Triumph with front wheel drive. It had a Herald 1300 61bhp engine mounted north-south, on top of the gearbox. Front suspension by dual wishbones, rear suspensions by semi-trailing links. Designed by Giovanni Michelotti, with a family resemblance to the 2000 introduced two years earlier, it was available with two or four doors.
In 1967, an uprated model with the twin SU 75 bhp Spitfire engine specification was introduced, with brake servo to match.
The range was further extended by a 1500 61bhp version, this time with a modified nose. Rear suspension layout was changed to dead axle, coil springs being retained.
Rear wheel drive was introduced in 1970. Production of the 1300 front wheel drive models stopped, but the 1500 front wheel drive version being produced in parallel untill 1973. The Toledo car retained the same outward appearance as the 1500. The Toledos engine was a 1300, although some 1500s were made for export.
The range was then further extended by a 64bhp twin carburettor 1500TC in 1973. This time, the subtle "TC" suffix indicated a greater difference than was to be expected: The 1500TC driving its rear wheels, the 1500 being a front wheel drive design.
A further upward addition to the range was made by the reintroduction of the Dolomite name of pre-war Triumph fame. The 1850cc OHC had been produced for Saab for a long time already, and in 1972 Triumph used it for one of its own models. Twin carburettors gave 91bhp. Quad headlamps for the first time.
This is indeed a sprint version, it came in 1973 with a 16-valve 127bhp 2 litre variant of the OHC engine. The chassis and drivetrain was modified to suit, obviously.
Renamed in 1976.
Came in 1976, essentially a Toledo. The two door option was dropped.
A Dolomite 1300 with a larger engine.
This time a 1500TC with quad headlamps and updated intrumentation.
Production of all Dolomites ceased in 1980.
Latest update: November 24th 1999
