1954-Swallow-Doretti

Description

***Please note that this Swallow Doretti is not physically located at Fantasy Junction, but is available for inspection in Gstaad, Switzerland.***

1954 Swallow Doretti
s/n 1024, Engine no. TS2464E
Sky Blue with Blue-Grey Leather

The Swallow Doretti was designed and produced by the Swallow Side Car Company, founded by William Walmsley and William Lions in 1922. In 1933 the automobile portion of the company became S.S. Cars Limited, which later became Jaguar. The first Doretti Swallow was designed in 1953 and manufactured in 1954 by Swallow Coachbuilding Company at the Walsall Airport in England. Swallow Coachbuilding Co. was purchased by Tube Investments (a supplier of automotive components). Swallow Engineer Frank Rainbow designed the Doretti’s aluminum body with input from American sales distributor Dorthy Dean and Arthur Anderson. Dean and Anderson owned Cal Sales Inc, where the Dorettis were first distributed in California. Dorthy Dean was responsible for creating the Italian sounding name (Doretti), which was thought to assist in the marketing of these sporting new convertibles.

Based around tubular Reynolds 531 Cromolly ladder chassis, clothed in an attractive and lightweight alloy body, and employing Triumph TR2 driveline, the Swallow Doretti strikes an outstanding blend of rarity and user-friendly, with comparatively easy to service components. Performance proved to be quite brisk, with a top speed of over 100mph when tested by the British magazine The Motor in 1954. Dorettis were first raced in 1954 in Santa Barbara and March Field. In 1955 Dorettis raced in Santa Barbara, Hansen Dam, Torrey Pines, Glendale, Sacramento, Elkart Lake, Walkins Glen, and Pebble Beach. Max Belchowsky of Ol’Yaller fame reworked six Dorettis with GM based V-8s producing almost 300 horsepower for racing. Doretti racing provenance was not limited to American shores, also competing at Goodwood, Silverstone, and even in the Carrera Panamericana road race!

Production of the Doretti was halted in 1955 when Jaguar gave the Tube Investments Group an ultimatum: if they continued to market a rival sports car to the XK 120, Jaguar would go elsewhere for the many components Tube Investments supplied. In total, just 276 were competed making them exceedingly rare finds. Just 74 are known to exist worldwide today.

This particular Swallow Doretti, s/n 1024, has been in Switzerland in the private hands of its long time owner for 30 years now. It has always been well cared for and always garaged. It was always a very good car having had no rust or major repair, other than regular upkeep of the mechanical condition, which according to the Seller is superb.

The car was repainted, reupholstered, and re-chromed throughout – everything works well and the car enjoyed a day of driving through the Alps a week ago, cover 150 miles toward Gstaad, according to the seller. It has a wonderful exhaust note. The painted disc wheels match the light blue paint. The correct top is like new, and the leather is excellent in soft high quality grey hides. It has a heater, which was an option, and that needs to be connected as it is not plumbed currently. The oil pressure is high, no engine noises, and it is a quite powerful car. “We drove it into the Alps at 130 to 145 KPH.” The beautiful Doretti emblem is on the nose. The suspension, brake, and steering systems are in excellent condition. The transmission has overdrive turning 80 MPH at 3000 RPM.

The floor and the inner fender wells have always been solid and are all original. The under the hood area is clean, but it would be advised to replace some of the wiring, which is original and dark colored, which does not match the brightness of the rest of the engine bay. This car has an excellent appearance and presentation and drives spectacular, with all systems operating properly, as would be expected of a restored car. Driver ergonomics on the Swallow Doretti are exceptional when compared to other English cars of the era, and this example comfortably accommodates a tall American, an important point when considering a car for long distance tour events.

Produced in 1954, this Doretti is eligible for virtually all of the premier events in Europe. Offered F.O.B. Gstaad, Switzerland, and on Swiss ownership papers, this wonderful little roadster is a rare yet cost effective car for European hosted automotive events, or is available for export worldwide.