BRIGHT, breezy and some would say a trifle brash, the Triumph Dolomite of the 1930s was certainly a head-turner.

Standing head and shoulders above some of the more conservatively designed cars, the Dolomite first appeared in 1934 with a sports car body.

The name was also used from 1937 on a series of sporting saloons and open cars until 1939 when the company went into receivership.

All except the Straight 8 Alfa Romeo inspired sports car featured a "waterfall" grille styled by Walter Belgrove.

The most familiar Dolomite seen on the driveways of Britain was a saloon built in 1937 with a 1,767cc four-cylinder engine and saloon body. The cars were marketed as "the finest in all the land" and targeted the luxury sports saloon market.

It was all part of Triumph's move upmarket and resulting car was very well equipped with winding windows, automatic chassis lubrication, leather-bound steering wheel which was adjustable for rake and reach, duel hydraulic brake circuits, twin trumpet horns and spotlights all as standard.

There was even a tray of fitted tools slotted beneath the driver's seat cushion, and for an extra 18 guineas buyers could specify a radio.

Construction was tradition for the day with aluminium over a rot-proofed ash frame.

The car was full of mod-cons including three electric interior lights, two-way visors, a sliding roof, three ashtrays, plus an instrument board with large dial clock and speedometer.

One media tester said the engine was smooth enough enough to be thought of as a six-cylinder and featured almost "sportslike" pickup. Top speed was found to be about 75 miles an hour and the saloon cost £348

One of the most striking versions, a roadster came on to the scene in 1938 and featured seating for three with two additional outside seats in the tail. It was announced with the 1,767cc engine with twin SU carburettors.

In July 1938 a slightly longer wheelbase version powered by a 2.0 six-cylinder engine fed by triple SUs joined the range, while the saloon version featuring the same 1,991cc engine still made do with just two carburettors.