The Dolly Sprints

Photo: Tjakko Kleinhuis
A publicity photo taken by British Leyland commemorating the fact that Nottinghamshire Constablary was the only police force to purchase their Triumph Dolomite Police Cars.
Left to Right: Pcs Mick Mosely, Jeff Buxton, Maurice Farmer, Paul Woodward, Chf Supt Jack Lilley, Sgt Eric Blagg, Pc Fred Smith.

Model Dolomite Sprint	Argument with a Barton's bus	Trying to outsprint a Sprint

At the time that Nottinghamshire Constabulary operated Triumph Dolomite Sprints as part of its Traffic Department fleet it was a capital offence for officers not to wear caps in the cars and certain punishment of death for not wearing caps when they got out of the cars too. Now the new Dolly Sprints caused a problem for the bosses. It was virtually impossible for most officers to sit in them without the caps pressed up against the car's headlining...very dangerous and not an example to set to the motoring public. So one of the additional benefits of being allocated these cars was that you received dispensation of the order to wear your hat. In reality this rule seemed to relax further to officers not wearing their caps in any car. Today, no one seems to wear a hats even if they are out of the cars!The Sprints were brilliant to drive with their tiny steering wheel and incredible acceleration. It never mattered if you were in the wrong lane at a junction...because you could out-accelerate anything else waiting at the lights; yet another good example to set to the motoring public! However, as traffic cars they were totally unsuitable with their small boot and no room inside to swing a cat or accommodate prisoners.They were good fun though.