Swallow Doretti
1954 open two-seater
Overview
ManufacturerSwallow a subsidiary of (TI Group)
Production276 cars[1] 1954-1955
DesignerFrank Rainbow[2]
Body and chassis
Body style
  • open 2 seater
  • coupé (prototype)
Related
Powertrain
Engine1,991 cc (121.5 cu in) Straight-4
Transmission4-speed manual. Optional overdrive
Dimensions
Wheelbase
  • 95 in (2,413 mm)[3]
  • Track 48 in (1,219 mm)[4]
Length156 in (3,962 mm)[3]
Width61 in (1,549 mm)[3]
Height52.5 in (1,334 mm)[3]
Kerb weight17 cwt, 1,904 lb (864 kg) open two-seater[4]
Standard Vanguard Engine
Overview
ManufacturerStandard Motor Company
Also calledTriumph
Layout
ConfigurationStraight 4-cylinder[4]
Displacement1,991 cc (121.5 cu in)[4]
Cylinder bore83 mm (3.3 in)[4]
Piston stroke92 mm (3.6 in)[4]
Valvetrainoverhead valves[4]
Compression ratio8.5:1[4]
Combustion
Fuel systemtwin S.U. carburettors[4]
Cooling systemwater
Output
Power output90 bhp (67 kW; 91 PS) @4,800 rpm[4]

The Swallow Doretti is a two-seater British sports car built on Swallow's own design of box-section tube chassis using Triumph TR2 mechanicals, made between 1954 and 1955. It was intended for the U.S. market and to be a more refined two-seater than available there at that time.

Swallow

The car was built by the Swallow Coachbuilding Company Ltd., a Tube Investments Group subsidiary bought for its 1935-1946 association with Jaguar's prewar motorcycle sidecars.

Name

The Doretti name was derived from Dorothy Deen, who managed the Western US distributorship Cal Sales.[5] The Trade Mark logo and Doretti name are in the ownership of Canadian Peter Schömer. He is building a new limited edition sports car called the Doretti TR250 'Corsa Veloce' using the Ferrari TR 250 chassis and engine from 1957. [6]

Design

Some observers find similarities between the Doretti and the 166MM 'Barchetta' and Austin-Healey 100. Based on the Triumph TR2, the 1,991 cc (121.5 cu in) Straight-4 Doretti had much improved stability, its track was 3 in (76 mm) wider, and its wheelbase 7 in (178 mm) longer. The Doretti had a tubular Reynolds 531 manganese–molybdenum, medium-carbon steel chassis. Reynolds was another member of the T I Group. The double-skinned body had an inner structural skin made of steel and an aluminium outer skin. Most cars were supplied with Laycock-de Normanville electric epicyclic overdrive and they were capable of 100 mph. 276 Mk I cars were made, including a single fixed head coupe version.[1] The car was designed by in-house engineer Frank Rainbow,[2] and produced in the TI factory at The Airport, Walsall, Staffordshire, England.

Three prototype Mk II cars, the Sabre were produced. These had a stiffer chassis and better weight distribution.[1]

The Doretti was the only car that the TI Group ever built under the Swallow name. Production stopped in 1955 when the parent company TI Group changed policy. Allegedly, pressure placed on TI directors by the British motor industry, most notably Jaguar, alleged that Doretti production created a conflict of interest for TI by giving Swallow an advantage over other customers in buying its products.

Performance

A car with overdrive tested by the British magazine The Motor in 1954 had a top speed of 100.2 mph (161.3 km/h) and could accelerate from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 12.3 seconds. A fuel consumption of 27.9 miles per imperial gallon (10.1 L/100 km; 23.2 mpg‑US) was recorded. The test car cost £1,158 including taxes.[3]

The standard version without overdrive cost £1,102. At the time a Triumph TR2 cost £887.[7]

Doretti badge
Interior

A Doretti appeared in the 1959 film On the Beach.[8]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 Mike Lawrence, A to Z of Sports Cars, 1945-1990 Bay View Books, Bideford, Devon : 1996 ISBN 1870979818
  2. 1 2 page 63 Motor Sport (magazine), January 1954, London, Teasdale Pub. Co.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "The Swallow Doretti 2-seater". The Motor. September 15, 1954.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Culshaw, David; Horrobin, Peter (2013) [1974]. The Complete Catalogue of British Cars 1895 - 1975 (e-book ed.). Poundbury, Dorchester, UK: Veloce Publishing. pp. 44–46. ISBN 978-1-845845-83-4.
  5. ↑ "Dorothy Deen". Hagerty Media. 2009-06-03. Retrieved 2020-06-13.
  6. ↑ Trademarks - Doretti
  7. ↑ Robson, G. (2006). A-Z of British Cars 1945-1980. Devon, UK: Herridge Books. ISBN 0-9541063-9-3.
  8. ↑ "Rare Swallow Doretti car found in a Devon barn". BBC News. 31 January 2014. Retrieved 9 July 2022.
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