1955 Swallow Doretti

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This is a wonderful older restoration of a 1955 Swallow Doretti. it is finished in Blue with Cream Leather interior and comes with low ownership and a full history from new. absolutely unrepeateble.

"There are few cars that we've tested that have created as much interest or drawn so much attention as the new Doretti". wrote US motoring journalist. Walt Walron. in a glowing test of the car in 1954. Going into corners as fast as you dare. you feel in control at all speeds. for a quick downshift and a punch of the throttle will invariably pull you out.

Aimed squarely at conquering the American market. the Swallow Doretti was meant to fill a market niche between the sporty but basic Triumph TR2 and the luxury Jaguar XK120. Designed by Frank Rainbow. it was produced by the Swallow Coachbuilding Company in Walsall originally founded by William Lyons of Jaguar fame. but now part of the giant Tube Investments Group.

Based on the running gear of the TR2 it shared the same lusty 2-litre 90bhp engine. 4-speed gearbox with optional overdrive. independent front suspension and Lockheed hydraulic drum brakes. However that is where the similarities ended the mechanicals were bolted to an exceptionally rigid tubular chassis frame. the side members of which consisted of two 3-inch diameter chrome-molybdenum steel tubes reinforced with strengthening plates above and below. Some 100lbs lighter than the TR2 chassis. it carried a double-skinned body of steel inner panels clothed in an elegant alloy shell. For that streamlined Mille Miglia look. the one piece windscreen could be detached and replaced by two aero screens if required.

Praised on both sides of the Atlantic for its good looks and 100mph performance. it was only really criticized for a lack of luggage space and a rather high price: a standard version without overdrive cost 1. 02 against 887 for a TR2. By early 1955 some 276 Dorettis had already been sold and plans were well under way for a MkII version. the Sabre. when production was abruptly halted on the orders of Tube Investments HQ. It is thought that other car makers. notably Jaguar. had threatened to stop sourcing components from the TI Group if they continued to develop the Doretti and nothing more was ever heard of the marque.

Our car. LDN500. was fully restored in the late nineties by Marksdanes Restorations and is still in a very nice driveable condition although it can be improved. The car runs and drives well. comes with a huge history folder. the best we have seen for a long time. and has owners manuals and other assorted paperwork. Please call us as this is one of the nicest Dorettis out there and the colours are superb. Please be quick as I could only find one other for sale in the USA for over £120k.

Also published at eBay.co.uk

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