Triumph 1300/1500 and small BMW

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Dr Jekyll

Original Poster:

23,820 posts

267 months

Saturday 19th February 2011
quotequote all
The resemblance between these cars, particularly Dolomite and early 3 series, is striking. Almost as if the BMW 2002 influenced the Triumphs which in turn influenced the 3 series.

Did they have the same designer or is it just coincidence?

anonymous-user

60 months

Saturday 19th February 2011
quotequote all
I think that Michelotti was involved with the Triumphs, which feature his distinctive approach to the tail end. The Dolomite Sprint was pitched against the BMW 2002 in the emerging sports saloon market, and the two types raced each other in the Touring car events of the day.

I once drove a 2002 tii, which i found to be a gentleman thug. It was the most raw BMW that I have ever tried. I haven't tried a Dolomite, only a 1300 , which is a bit dull.

davepoth

29,395 posts

205 months

Saturday 19th February 2011
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Michelotti did all triumphs between the Herald and the Dolly Sprint IIRC. So the original 1300 was him, as was the refreshed 1500/dolomite shape.

He also did the Neue Klasse BMW, some Maseratis, the Daf 44, one of the early Skylines, and loads of other stuff. The internet says he did more than 1000 designs.

Pistom

5,543 posts

165 months

Sunday 20th February 2011
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davepoth said:
Michelotti did all triumphs between the Herald and the Dolly Sprint IIRC.
Wasn;t the TR6 Karmann?

davepoth

29,395 posts

205 months

Sunday 20th February 2011
quotequote all
Pistom said:
Wasn;t the TR6 Karmann?
He did, and I completely forgot it was first built so early.

a8hex

5,830 posts

229 months

Sunday 20th February 2011
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As an ex-Dolly owner, I always felt the the E30 3Series was a straight crib of the Dolly. Only they probably built them better. Saw an interesting review of the Dolly Sprint against the 2002ti recently.

comparison

anonymous-user

60 months

Monday 21st February 2011
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They are both pretty groovy cars of their type, but I think that I marginally prefer the looks of the BMW, although if I was aiming for a Beemer of that era it would probably be the rather different 3.0 CSi.

Shoestringracer

2,022 posts

205 months

Monday 21st February 2011
quotequote all
davepoth said:
Michelotti did all triumphs between the Herald and the Dolly Sprint IIRC. So the original 1300 was him, as was the refreshed 1500/dolomite shape.

He also did the Neue Klasse BMW, some Maseratis, the Daf 44, one of the early Skylines, and loads of other stuff. The internet says he did more than 1000 designs.
This is your answer. Also look into the "Hofmeister kink" which is shared by some triumphs and almost all BMWs of the last 40 years.

Dr Jekyll

Original Poster:

23,820 posts

267 months

Wednesday 23rd February 2011
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All interesting stuff.

Perhaps we should have a 'are they by any chance related?' thread.

//j17

4,588 posts

229 months

Wednesday 23rd February 2011
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Pistom said:
Wasn;t the TR6 Karmann?
Yes - Michelotti was too busy.

alolympic

700 posts

203 months

Friday 25th February 2011
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Breadvan73 said:
They are both pretty groovy cars of their type, but I think that I marginally prefer the looks of the BMW, although if I was aiming for a Beemer of that era it would probably be the rather different 3.0 CSi.
Absolutely, but quite a different budget to get a roadworthy CSi. You could buy 10 2002's

lowdrag

13,026 posts

219 months

Friday 25th February 2011
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I wonder, since it is about 38 years since I have driven a 2002tii, whether with the passing of time they have sorted the "on/off" effect of the turbo? The one I drove belonged to John Burton, and ex-scrambles/trials rider from the BSA days, and it was truly frightening.

On the subject of the Triumph 1300, I had one as a company car, and it wouldn't do over 40mph, the dealers telling me that it was because the motor was still running in. I checked the carburettor, which had the butterfly only opening about 20%, took it back to the dealers who changed the carb. They lent me a Dolomite Sprint while it was in and that was a revelation.