WHAT IS IT? It's hard to believe that Triumph could have ripped the guts out of a front wheel drive saloon and re-engineered it for rear wheel drive. But that's exactly what happened in 1970 when the Triumph 1300 proved a sales flop. Having turned the car from FWD to RWD, Triumph further complicated matters by selling two variants: the el cheapo Toledo and the upmarket Dolomite. Oh, and the front drive variant remained on sale, too, with an enlarged 1,500cc engine.

WHEN WAS IT MADE? The Dolomite was supposed to hit the market shortly after the London Motor Show in October 1971. Industrial disputes delayed its arrival by a whole year. Similarly, the high performance Sprint variant was supposed to join the range in 1972 but wasn't available until 1973. By that time the Dolomite's shape (courtesy of the 1300) was already eight years old.

WHAT MADE IT GREAT? The Sprint engine was a technological tour de force back in 1973. Triumph's engineers developed a 16-valve cylinder head for the 2.0-litre slant four engine. The valves were actuated by a single camshaft rather than the more usual double cams of the time. Although fuel injection was considered (which would have made the Sprint the world's first 16 valve GTi) Triumph had second thoughts and stuck with bigger carbs. The powerplant made 127bhp, which made it as powerful as Ford's 3.0-litre six, but felt short of the project team's original aim which was to hit 135bhp.

WHAT DID OWNERS HATE? Sadly, the Sprint suffered the usual BL bugbears of rust and unreliability. The engine needed careful servicing. Coolant with rust inhibitor was essential if blockages were to be avoided. Strangely Saab, which used the same engine in the 99, albeit without the 16v head, didn't suffer the same problems. Although the Sprint was priced to sell on its arrival (the Sprint's RRP of £1,740 compared well with BMW and fast Ford alternatives) the cost gradually crept up. By 1980 a Sprint was substantially more expensive than a BMW or a Ford RS2000.

IS IT WORTH GETTING ONE? Yes. We found a presentable looking example in Russet brown for £2,695 but, if you can afford it, the wonderful-looking restored Sprint currently for sale on the Pistonheads web site is surely the ultimate example. Rebuilt over six years, and subsequently covering a mere 4,000 miles in 19 years, this Carman red example looks immaculate, but the price of £10,000 takes some swallowing.

HOW MUCH WILL IT COST? Once you've bought your Sprint it shouldn't prove too costly. Spares are widely available and the 16v engine holds no secrets, making home spannering a practical proposition if you are reasonably competent.