Swallow Doretti

Standard Vanguard
Standard Vanguard
Overview
Manufacturer	Standard Motor Company
Also called	Triumph
Layout
Configuration	Straight 4-cylinder
Displacement	1,991 cc (121.5 cu in)
Cylinder bore	83 mm (3.3 in)
Piston stroke	92 mm (3.6 in)
Valvetrain	overhead valves
Compression ratio	8.5:1
Combustion
Fuel system	twin S.U. carburettors
Cooling system	water
Output
Power output	90 bhp (67 kW; 91 PS) @4,800 rpm

Swallow Doretti
Swallow Doretti
	1954 open two-seater
Overview
Manufacturer	Swallow a subsidiary of (TI Group)
Production	276 cars 1954-1955
Designer	Frank Rainbow
Body and chassis
Body style	open 2 seater; coupé (prototype);
Related	Triumph TR2, TR3, TR4; Morgan Plus 4; Standard Vanguard; Triumph Renown; Ferguson tractor;
Powertrain
Engine	1991 cc Straight-4
Transmission	4 speed manual. Optional overdrive
Dimensions
Wheelbase	95 in (2,413 mm); Track 48 in (1,219 mm);
Length	156 in (3,962 mm)
Width	61 in (1,549 mm)
Height	52.5 in (1,334 mm)
Kerb weight	17 cwt, 1,904 lb (864 kg) open two-seater

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 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. ^[6]

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.^{[citation needed]}

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.^{[citation needed]}

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

References[]

^ Jump up to: ^a ^b ^c Mike Lawrence, A to Z of Sports Cars, 1945-1990 Bay View Books, Bideford, Devon : 1996 ISBN 1870979818
^ Jump up to: ^a ^b page 63 Motor Sport (magazine), January 1954, London, Teasdale Pub. Co.
^ Jump up to: ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e "The Swallow Doretti 2-seater". The Motor. September 15, 1954.
^ Jump up to: ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j 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.
^ "Dorothy Deen". Hagerty Media. 2009-06-03. Retrieved 2020-06-13.
^ Trademarks - Doretti
^ Robson, G. (2006). A-Z of British Cars 1945-1980. Devon, UK: Herridge Books. ISBN 0-9541063-9-3.

External links[]

[ML-1] Jump up to: ^a ^b ^c Mike Lawrence, A to Z of Sports Cars, 1945-1990 Bay View Books, Bideford, Devon : 1996 ISBN 1870979818

[MS-2] Jump up to: ^a ^b page 63 Motor Sport (magazine), January 1954, London, Teasdale Pub. Co.

[Motor1954-3] Jump up to: ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e "The Swallow Doretti 2-seater". The Motor. September 15, 1954.

[C&H-4] Jump up to: ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j 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.

[Trademarks-6] Trademarks - Doretti

[AZ1945-7] Robson, G. (2006). A-Z of British Cars 1945-1980. Devon, UK: Herridge Books. ISBN 0-9541063-9-3.

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