Vehicle Description
The story of the Swallow Doretti sports car of 1954 & 1955 is a
fascinating footnote in the history of the British sports-car
revolution. The first piece of this interesting mosaic comes with
the industrial conglomerate TI, also known as Tube Investments.
Abingdon-based Tube Investments was founded in 1919 with the merger
of several seamless steel tubing makers. The company would grow to
include a number of important industrial suppliers and
manufacturers across England, including Reynolds and Armstrong. By
the 1960s, the portfolio included Raleigh, BSA, Triumph Cycles and
Rudge. Swallow Coachbuilding was added in 1946 when William Lyons,
founder of Swallow, sold the sidecar and coachbuilding business to
TI to form Jaguar Cars. Without Lyons' leadership, Swallow sidecar
sales languished. In the early 1950s, bosses at TI felt that a
sports car could inject some excitement into the Swallow brand, as
the storied coachbuilder was still held in very high regard. The
firm tapped Frank Rainbow, an ex-Bristol Aircraft engineer who
served many different TI companies, to design the car. He was given
a clean sheet to work with, though to save time, the engine,
gearbox, rear axle, and front suspension was shared with the
Triumph TR2. A nearly impossible timeline of nine months was given
to produce a running prototype. Amazingly Rainbow and his small
team came through, delivering the car in time for the 1954 London
Motor Show. Based on a Chromoly steel ladder chassis built from
Reynolds tubing, it was longer and wider than a TR2 which allowed
the engine to be mounted further back for superior weight
distribution. Ironically, the pretty Frank Rainbow-penned body was
built by Panelcraft, as Swallow could not meet production
requirements. California importer Arthur Anderson suggested the
name Doretti after his daughter Dorothy Deen, who ran a successful
business selling sports car accessories under the Doretti name. The
Swallow Doretti was met with rave reviews, and the price point put
it neatly between the Triumph TR2 and Austin Healey 100. The car
enjoyed swift sales from the start, and plans were put in place for
follow-up models. However, suddenly, production was stopped after
just 276 vehicles. History sometimes paints the Swallow Doretti as
a failure given its short production run; however, the reality is
that it was a victim of its own success. Sir William Lyons did not
appreciate one of his primary suppliers building a rival sports
car, and he suggested that TI decide whether they wished to
continue making sports cars and if he should consider a new
supplier for Jaguar's bumpers, door locks, and other parts. The
message was received loud and clear, and without a public
statement, production of the Swallow Doretti halted abruptly. This
1955 Swallow Doretti is chassis number 1110, a lovely car with a
well-maintained older restoration in beautiful colors. According to
letters in the history file, this car was purchased by a young man
from Boise, Idaho in about 1974. Sadly, he was killed in action in
Vietnam soon after, and the car sat for some time before being sold
to a family friend. The new owner got it back up and running and
drove it on a regular basis. It would be put back into storage by
the next owner, who held the car for many years, though it is
believed he never drove it. In the mid-1980s it was acquired by Bob
Carpenter of Caldwell, Idaho who began the process of restoring the
car from the ground up. Letters, information, and correspondence in
the file show that Mr. Carpenter was a passionate Doretti
enthusiast. Letters between him and Dorothy Deen are included,
where she offered insight on the car's history and color
suggestions for the restoration. The Swallow Doretti presents very
well today and is a lovely and charming car with a mild patina from
age and careful use. The pretty light green paintwork is contrasted
with red cockpit rails and top. Paint quality is overall quite
good, with some texture visible in places, but overall remaining
glossy and attractive. Bumpers and chrome trim pieces also present
very well, and the grille shows a bit of care-worn patina in the
plating. The chrome wheels are excellent, wrapped in
appropriately-sized black wall radials. Red and black upholstery
provides a pleasing contrast to the paint. The seats, dash, and
carpet are trimmed in black with red piping to complement the red
door panels, cockpit rails, and red pinpoint vinyl top. In spite of
the years since restoration, the interior remains tidy and
attractive. One advantage the Doretti had over its competitors was
the roomy and comfortable cabin, a definite step up from the
utilitarian Triumph TR2 which it shared many of its components. On
this example, power comes from a slightly later specification TR3A
engine from 1957. The engine is well-detailed, and fitted with S.U.
carburetors and a rare Doretti-branded alloy rocker cover. The
additional power from the later-spec engine is welcome, as is the
four-speed gearbox with overdrive. The Swallow Doretti is a delight
to drive, feeling brisk and lively on the road and the restoration
has been lovingly maintained through the years by a passionate
enthusiast. Triumph-sourced components allow for ease of service,
while the refined handling and unique style make it an ideal
candidate for historic driving events, including the prestigious
Colorado Grand and the Mille Miglia. This Doretti is an appealing
and enjoyable example of this fascinating yet short-lived English
marque.