Autocade is an international car cyclopædia that’s geographically unbiased, carefully edited for enthusiasts and media who want a quick, accurate reference. There is a greater emphasis on models produced after 1970.
Inside Autocade
Triumph Dolomite Sprint. 1973–80 (prod. 22,941). 4-door saloon. F/R, 1998 cm³ (I4 OHC). Most desirable of all Dollies, Sprint was developed by a team led by Spen King at British Leyland. World’s first mass-production multi-valve car, with 16-valve SOHC arrangement developing 125 bhp. Standard alloy wheels (a first for a British car) marked it out from standard Dolomite as well as front spoiler. Overdrive later standard. Won Triumph the BTCC manufacturers’ title in 1975 and was used in cult TV series The Professionals for a short time. Despite ageing shell (derived from mid-1960s’ 1300), a fairly timeless appearance and plenty of prestige for the Triumph brand.
Manufacturing locations: Canley, Coventry, England; Speke, Merseyside, England
Marque: Triumph | Model: Triumph Dolomite
q.v. Triumph Dolomite (1972–80)
Off-site link
Mahindra NuvoSport. 2016–20 (prod. n/a). 5-door SUV. F/R, 1493 cm³ diesel (I3 DOHC). Facelifted Quanto, with higher bonnet line and more rugged front end. Larger tyres. Touchscreen (6·2 in) in centre console, with a generic system, and leather appointed seats; otherwise, the interior was much the same as before, with an outdated design. Seven-seat option despite sub-4 m length, though cramped for last two rows if the sixth and seventh seats were out. Economical. Turbocharged triple had good power but rough; also not that refined. Not upgraded, and Mahindra judged it would be too costly to bring it up to scratch for the BS6 emissions standard.
Manufacturing location: Nashik, Maharashtra, India
Marque: Mahindra | Predecessor: Mahindra Quanto
Holden Commodore (VB). 1978–80 (prod. 95,906). 4-door sedan, 5-door wagon. F/R, 2838, 3298 cm³ (I6 OHV), 4142, 5044 cm³ (V8 OHV). Downsized Holden, successor to HZ series and based on Opel Commodore C (V-car) but mated to carryover Holden engines. Very refined, a huge leap over older Holdens, and marketed with tagline ‘Commodore. It’s a Holden’ to surprised Australian public. Smaller size (though almost as roomy as HZ) found favour as second fuel crisis hit and VB had a year’s advantage over the XD Ford Falcon, so seemed ultra-modern at the time, but Holden effectively lost the taxi market to its rival. Due to budget blow-out on redeveloping the sedan for Australian conditions, wagon was more heavily based on Opel Rekord E1.
Manufacturing location: Australia
Marque: Holden | Model: Holden Commodore | Predecessors: Holden Kingswood (HZ), Holden Premier (HZ) | Successor: Holden Commodore (VC)
q.v. Chevrolet Commodore, Daewoo Royale
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