Info on Sipani Dolphin ... - Team-BHP

d_himan · 2nd October 2007, 20:46

Hi!

In the eighties, I remember my uncle buying a red Sipani Dolphin (a.ka. the Renault Kitten) . The exhaust sounded beautiful, the steering wheel (with a 'R' embossed on it - probably 'Renault') and the faux-carbon fibre finish dash spelt 'sporty'. The wheels were perhaps 11 inchers (not sure..) and but the Dunlops they came in were wide enough.

Anyone still owning one in the forum - would be grateful for any ownership experiences... there's this sky blue Dolphin available for a song and I'm kinda tempted. Would it be tough restoring it?

Help!

Rehaan · 2nd October 2007, 21:57

Heres one. > https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/india...cture-754.html

Im sure Ananth can give you a lot of information.

Also, try searching for "dolphin" on TBHP if you havent already.

cya
R

1100D · 2nd October 2007, 22:02

R = Reliant, if only the Rover Mini wasn't envisaged! ( twenty characters)

Ram · 2nd October 2007, 23:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by d_himan

Hi!
... Sipani Dolphin (a.ka. the Renault Kitten) . The wheels were perhaps 11 inchers (not sure..) and but the Dunlops they came in were wide enough.

The wheels were 10-inch soup plate sized wheels like the British Leyland Mini.
That's a good two inches smaller than the Maruti 800's 12-inch wheel rims.

But it had a 4-cylinder aluminum 848 cc engine with a smoother idle, than the apologetic shudder of Suzuki's 3-cylinder.

The Reliant Kitten died in the UK because it could not match the Mini's pricing and the Sipani Dolphin died in India because it was more expensive than the relatively better built, Japanese-pedigreed, all-steel monocoque Maruti 800.

1100D · 3rd October 2007, 00:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by ram

The Reliant Kitten died in the UK because it could not match the Mini's pricing and the Sipani Dolphin died in India because it was more expensive than the relatively better built, Japanese-pedigreed, all-steel monocoque Maruti 800.

In both the cases we lost our small rear wheel drive hatch which was loads of fun to drive!

shan_mohanty · 13th July 2008, 13:48

hiii i own a dolphin wch is white is colour the tyres whr actually>>10" dia TUBELESS frm GOODYEAR>>>made in GREAT BRITAIN

Quote:

Originally Posted by d_himan

Hi!

In the eighties, I remember my uncle buying a red Sipani Dolphin (a.ka. the Renault Kitten) . The exhaust sounded beautiful, the steering wheel (with a 'R' embossed on it - probably 'Renault') and the faux-carbon fibre finish dash spelt 'sporty'. The wheels were perhaps 11 inchers (not sure..) and but the Dunlops they came in were wide enough.

Anyone still owning one in the forum - would be grateful for any ownership experiences... there's this sky blue Dolphin available for a song and I'm kinda tempted. Would it be tough restoring it?

Help!

AirWind · 14th July 2008, 08:52

Its a Reliant; we used to own a 1983 stock sky blue until 1996 in Coimbatore, parts were difficult to source even at that time and we had to sell it for a measly 10 grand as we didnt have an extra parking.

Even the wheels, we had a rebuild it to keep it running until Vikram auto showed up and the wheels were an exact fit, but for its pathetic cross plies - I really hate them compared to the stock tubeless (surprise, but true) Dunlop's!

The car is fun to drive compared to the Maruti 800, it had an amazing turning radius, the wheels used to completely pop out when fully turned, it could easily squeeze itself into tight spots (I could completely swivel it into our makeshift two wheeler parking, even till date I have'nt been able to park any other car including Alto/Estilo). The brakes were pathetic though! The gear box was simply superb, the reverse gear needs to be pulled up to engage as a safety feature.

I'm sure you could source parts in Bangalore or you could buy another Dolphin as a spare slave... the exhaust note is sporty and a FFE would be super duper...

DileepKS · 15th July 2008, 17:00

I made my actual driving practices in a Dolphin.

It was 1995. I had a bike, and no one in the family/relations had a car. I had license for 4 wheeler, but no chance of actually driving a car. A new colleague joins the workplace. He had a Dolphin. His mom will not allow him to have or even ride a bike, so they bought him a Dolphin.

He wanted to ride the bike, and I wanted to drive the car. Great opportunity!

Later (After I got a raise and thought I could afford the first car) I seriously considered buying a Dolphin. Then followed the advice of people I trust and bought the Fiat.

It was a nice car to drive (especially when your comparison is with the driving school's Amby. Yes, very small turning circle. Good acceleration and reasonable handling. The only problem was spares and maintenance.

ph03n!x · 15th July 2008, 21:43

I remember drooling over my neighbor's Dolphin (Sky Blue) and its "Burrrrr" as a kid in Nagercoil (Kanyakumari District). Wonder if he stills has it. His wife as actually my elementary Maths teacher

karlosdeville · 16th July 2008, 18:39

Another Dolphin thread here.

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/vintag...ners-here.html

2nd October 2007, 20:46	#1 (permalink)
d_himan Newbie Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: mumbai Posts: 40	Info on Sipani Dolphin ... Hi! In the eighties, I remember my uncle buying a red Sipani Dolphin (a.ka. the Renault Kitten) . The exhaust sounded beautiful, the steering wheel (with a 'R' embossed on it - probably 'Renault') and the faux-carbon fibre finish dash spelt 'sporty'. The wheels were perhaps 11 inchers (not sure..) and but the Dunlops they came in were wide enough. Anyone still owning one in the forum - would be grateful for any ownership experiences... there's this sky blue Dolphin available for a song and I'm kinda tempted. Would it be tough restoring it? Help!

2nd October 2007, 22:02	#3 (permalink)
1100D Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Calcutta Posts: 2,409 View My Garage	R = Reliant, if only the Rover Mini wasn't envisaged! ( twenty characters) __________________ ________________________ Every Ferrari is always a Fiat

14th July 2008, 08:52	#7 (permalink)
AirWind BHPian Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 193	Its a Reliant; we used to own a 1983 stock sky blue until 1996 in Coimbatore, parts were difficult to source even at that time and we had to sell it for a measly 10 grand as we didnt have an extra parking. Even the wheels, we had a rebuild it to keep it running until Vikram auto showed up and the wheels were an exact fit, but for its pathetic cross plies - I really hate them compared to the stock tubeless (surprise, but true) Dunlop's! The car is fun to drive compared to the Maruti 800, it had an amazing turning radius, the wheels used to completely pop out when fully turned, it could easily squeeze itself into tight spots (I could completely swivel it into our makeshift two wheeler parking, even till date I have'nt been able to park any other car including Alto/Estilo). The brakes were pathetic though! The gear box was simply superb, the reverse gear needs to be pulled up to engage as a safety feature. I'm sure you could source parts in Bangalore or you could buy another Dolphin as a spare slave... the exhaust note is sporty and a FFE would be super duper... __________________ AirWind Swift Vxi Bright Red, Bangalore

15th July 2008, 17:00	#8 (permalink)
DileepKS BHPian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Cochin Posts: 88	I made my actual driving practices in a Dolphin. It was 1995. I had a bike, and no one in the family/relations had a car. I had license for 4 wheeler, but no chance of actually driving a car. A new colleague joins the workplace. He had a Dolphin. His mom will not allow him to have or even ride a bike, so they bought him a Dolphin. He wanted to ride the bike, and I wanted to drive the car. Great opportunity! Later (After I got a raise and thought I could afford the first car) I seriously considered buying a Dolphin. Then followed the advice of people I trust and bought the Fiat. It was a nice car to drive (especially when your comparison is with the driving school's Amby. Yes, very small turning circle. Good acceleration and reasonable handling. The only problem was spares and maintenance. __________________ 1993: KB100 RTZ 1996: Premier Padmini 1998: M800STD 2001: Toyota Tercel DX 2002: Ford Taurus SE 3.0 2007: Ford Fiesta 1.6 SXI/ABS

16th July 2008, 18:39	#10 (permalink)
karlosdeville Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Pune Posts: 3,553 View My Garage	Another Dolphin thread here. http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/vintag...ners-here.html __________________ ( O \ \| / O )

2nd October 2007, 21:57	#2 (permalink)
Rehaan Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay / New York Posts: 7,907	Heres one. > https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/india...cture-754.html Im sure Ananth can give you a lot of information. Also, try searching for "dolphin" on TBHP if you havent already. cya R

15th July 2008, 21:43	#9 (permalink)
ph03n!x BHPian Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Madras Posts: 206	I remember drooling over my neighbor's Dolphin (Sky Blue) and its "Burrrrr" as a kid in Nagercoil (Kanyakumari District). Wonder if he stills has it. His wife as actually my elementary Maths teacher

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