During the mid-1980s to early 1990’s, spotting a Dolphin
car on Indian roads was a special moment. At a time when the Ambassador
and Premier Padmini dominated the streets, this lightweight, sporty
hatchback stood out like a breath of fresh air.
The Dolphin, built in Bangalore by Sipani
Motors in collaboration with England's Reliant Kitten, was far ahead
of its time. It wasn't just another small car but an engineering marvel that
quietly earned a legendary status among enthusiasts and racers.
What made
it so special?
The Dolphin
stood out among the rest of the crowd with the following features:
✅ Fibreglass body mounted on a chassis, making it incredibly lightweight
and corrosion-resistant.
✅ Hatchback weight: just 506 kg (3-door)
✅ Station Wagon weight: 526 kg
✅ Full aluminium 850 cc, 4-cylinder engine weighing only 65 kg,
paired with an SU carburettor.
✅ 4-speed synchromesh gearbox.
✅ Aluminium rear axle crown (with steel axle tubes).
✅ 145/70 SR10 tyres on 10-inch wheels (Ballon tyres- Radial).
These numbers translated into an exceptional power-to-weight
ratio. Despite having just an 850 cc engine, the Dolphin could sprint from 0–80
km/h in under 11 seconds which was remarkable for its era.
It darted through traffic as if it were on rails.
Its handling, grip, and agility made it a favorite on racetracks, rallies, and
drag strips, while still delivering an impressive 20 km/l on the highway.
The fibreglass body was another advantage. Minor
accident damage could often be repaired with simple FRP work instead of
expensive panel replacements.
A proven
motorsport pedigree
The Dolphin also proved itself in competition.
Notable racers at the famous Sholavaram
circuit included Dr. Saboo, Pratap Jayaram, and Kamlesh Patel.
The legendary Coimbatore racer and tuner Karivardhan
(Late) prepared one of the Dolphins driven by Jinan. In perhaps the
most extreme evolution of the car, he installed a 1.6-litre Ford Cosworth
engine, creating a machine that could outperform much larger and more
powerful imported cars of its time.
In rallying, the Dolphin also made its mark.
- Vicky Chandok and Manoj Dalal secured victories
in the South India Rally and Rally de Endurance in 1985 and
1987.
- Leela Krishnan of Coimbatore, who later became a
five-time National Rally Champion driving Gypsies, also competed in the
Dolphin during his early rally career.
- Pratap Jayaram campaigned the Dolphin in drag racing
and sholavarm races, with the car believed to have been prepared by Karivardhan
and Bob Rupani of Bombay.
The
downside
No car is perfect.
The Dolphin's biggest drawbacks were its two-door
layout, low ride height, and the lack of a strong nationwide service network.
Sipani Motors struggled to provide consistent after-sales support, which
limited the car's commercial success despite its engineering brilliance. It had
no A/c in the car.
Yet, for those fortunate enough to own or drive
one, the Dolphin remains one of India's most underrated performance cars. It
was a lightweight machine that was decades ahead of its time.
It may not have achieved the commercial success of
the first-generation Maruti 800 (SS80), but among enthusiasts, the Sipani
Dolphin continues to be remembered as a true icon of Indian automotive history.
Did you ever see, own, or drive
a Sipani Dolphin? Or perhaps watched one race at Sholavaram, Chennai? I'd love
to hear your memories, stories, or photographs. Share them in the comments and
let's celebrate one of India's forgotten automotive legends.
#SipaniDolphin #SipaniMotors #ReliantKitten
#IndianAutomotiveHistory #ClassicCars #MadeInIndia #Motorsport #Sholavaram
#CarEnthusiasts #VintageCars #IndianMotorsport #Chennai
Picture Coutesy : Bob Rupani, Indian Auto Journal , GD Naidu Museum and Google phoros
