Swallow Doretti

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 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
Engine1991 cc 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
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]

Swallow

The car was built by the Tube Investments Group subsidiary, Swallow Coachbuilding Company (1935) Ltd, bought for its 1935 to 1946 association with Jaguar's prewar motorcycle sidecars. Sometimes known for its similarity to the Ferrari 166MM 'Barchetta' and Austin-Healey 100.

Doretti

The Doretti name was derived from Dorothy Deen, who managed the Western US distributorship Cal Sales.[5] The Trade Mark logo and Doretti name is 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. https://trademarks.ipo.gov.uk/ipo-tmcase/page/Results/1/UK00003020634

Design

Based on the Triumph TR2 it 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 only car that the TI Group ever built under the Swallow name its production stopped in 1955 when the parent company TI Group changed policy. Allegedly, pressure from the British motor industry, most notably Jaguar, led to the cessation of production of the Doretti. It is thought that the directors of TI were pressured in that the production of the Doretti sports car placed TI at an advantage over their customers buying raw materials, creating a conflict of interest.

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.[6]

Doretti badge
Interior
gollark: It isn't *that* earth-destroying. It does mention climate change.
gollark: This was tested by some people, many don't. Fortunately, I don't think you can make a virus just from RNA.
gollark: https://nickbostrom.com/papers/vulnerable.pdf↑ FEAR it
gollark: A competent garbage collector would have deleted the spec already.
gollark: This is why we still have Macron.

See also

References
  1. Mike Lawrence, A to Z of Sports Cars, 1945-1990 Bay View Books, Bideford, Devon : 1996 ISBN 1870979818
  2. page 63 Motor Sport (magazine), January 1954, London, Teasdale Pub. Co.
  3. "The Swallow Doretti 2-seater". The Motor. September 15, 1954.
  4. 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. Robson, G. (2006). A-Z of British Cars 1945-1980. Devon, UK: Herridge Books. ISBN 0-9541063-9-3.
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