Swallow Doretti
| Swallow | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Doretti | |
| Production period: | 1954-1955 |
| Class : | Sports car |
| Body versions : | Roadster |
| Engines: |
Otto engine : 2.0 liters (66 kW) |
| Length: | 3962 mm |
| Width: | 1549 mm |
| Height: | 1295 mm |
| Wheelbase : | 2413 mm |
| Empty weight : | 922 kg |
The Swallow Doretti is a two-seater sports cabriolet from English production, which was primarily intended for the US market. The manufacturer was the Swallow Coachbuilding Co. , based in Walsall , England .
History of origin
Swallow Coachuilding was founded in 1935 by William Lyons . The company was a forerunner of the British sports car manufacturer Jaguar . In addition to automobile bodies, it also produced motorcycle sidecars. After the end of World War II, Lyons sold sidecar production to Helliwell Aircaft , a subsidiary of Tube Investments . In 1951 Tube began planning to start automobile production. The aim was to build a small roadster that would primarily be sold on the American west coast. The Calsales company in California was involved in the conception process from the start. The daughter of the owner of Calsales, Dorothy Dean, gave the name, which was Italianized. Between 1954 and 1955, 274 series models and two prototypes were built; some additional copies were assembled from remaining parts after production ended.
Model description
The engine, gearbox and axles came from the Triumph TR2 . A larger frame was used, making the vehicle longer and wider than the TR2. The outer skin of the body was made of aluminum . It was handcrafted at Panelcraft Sheet Metal in Birmingham.
Market success
Contrary to previous assumptions, the Doretti was not overpriced. The price was above the price of the TR2, similar to the Allard Palm Beach and Austin Healey 100/4, and was significantly cheaper than the AC Ace and Jaguar XK 120 . Compared to the TR2, the Doretti offered a significantly more extensive range of standard equipment: aluminum body, folding top, heating, door handles, wider track on the front axle similar to the later TR4 , stainless steel vehicle frame, rear axle guided by trailing arms and leather seats.
The vehicle sold particularly well in California and England, but was also exported to Australia. In 1954, more Swallow Doretti were sold than AC Ace or Allard Palm Beach.
In 1955, production was stopped after just 10 months because, among others, Sir William Lyons, the owner of Jaguar, saw the sales success of the Doretti as a problem for the distribution of his models and the parent company of Swallow Coachbuilding Co., Tube Investments, threatened none To give more orders to Tube Investments if the production of the Doretti continues.
literature
- The Swallow Doretti , in: Autosport , October 8, 1954
- A car called DOROTHY , in: Classic and Sportscar , September 1988
- Swallow Doretti, TR2 in designer garb , in: British Classic Cars , August / September 5/2005
Web links
- Doretti Register (English)
- Side of a Norwegian Doretti-owner with lots of details (English)