Description
The Swallow Doretti was built by Swallow Coachbuilding Company of Walsall. later a company under the control of Tube Investments. The name Swallow was purchased from Jaguar just after the second world war. The Swallow Doretti was a sports car introduced in 1954 and was designed by Frank Rainbow. His design was based on the running gear of a Triumph TR2 and was offered only in convertible form. The car was powered by the Standard Triumph 90 bhp four cylinder engine and drove the rear wheels via a 4 speed gear box. The chassis was Swallows own design. Thought by journalists of the time to be a better handling car than the TR2 as the engine was placed further back in the chassis. Just 276 examples were built before production ceased in 1955.
The superb example we offer here was first registered in September 1954 and has traceable history. It would appear the car was then put into storage for same 20 years and did not emerge again until the early noughties.
The car was acquired in 2016 by a retired engineer who then set about a major restoration. It was found the car had the wrong engine which necessitated the acquisition of the correct TR2 engine. At the same time the opportunity was taken to include a number of performance enhancing upgrades, such as 86 mm piston and liners increasing the engine capacity to 2, 138 cc. A fast road camshaft was employed plus hardened valve seats. A very rare Le Mans inlet manifold was found enabling SU 1 ¾ HS6 carburettors to be fitted to the low port cylinder head. The transmission, including the desirable Laycock overdrive, underwent a complete overhaul.
During the restoration major items were renewed including a new hi torque staring motor, new fuel pump and new hydraulic master cylinder. The car was totally rewired. The wire wheels were rebuilt with the rear wheels rebuilt to achieve a wider track. Anew bespoke hood was ordered and the car comes with tonneau cover and side screens.
The covered has covered just 500 miles since the rebuild was completed and is ready to enjoy.
Part exchange welcome, ancient or modern, especially an E Type, funds either way.
Please call me on the number above for an appointment to view.
