This wonderful Swallow Doretti roadster was sold new in France to a Mr. P. Sellier. In 1958, the car was sold on to his sister. In 1961 the car left the family as it was sold to a Mr. D. Amiach, a (in the 1980s a renowned Swallow Doretti collector). Mr. Amiach had the car painted French blue, and the car featured in the French Autoretro magazine in Augustus 1987.
In 1998 the two sons of Mr. Selliers sister were able to purchase their mother’s car and to bring it back in the family. The bothers had the car restored to its original glory in the colour Ice Blue (a very pale light blue, almost white). They added safety belts and a main power switch.
The current owner purchased the car at the Bonhams auction in Belgium in 2016. In 2018 the car was given new paintwork in the original colour. In 2019 the owner participated in the world’s most beautiful classic car event, the 1000 Miglia, in Italy. This magnificent Swallow Doretti Roadster is still in a very good and very original condition, and the car drives delightfully.
This gorgeous Swallow Doretti roadster with chassis number 1246 comes beautifully documented. The file contains: documented history with the successive owner’s names from new, the original French grey card (carte grise), service invoices, original instruction book and the 2016 Bonhams auction catalogue. This rare Swallow Doretti is Mille Miglia eligible in the special class of important historic vehicles. This is a rare opportunity to buy a very good Swallow Doretti Roadster with a fantastic history!
The Swallow firm was part of the Tube investments group owned by Jaguar director William Lyons. The Swallow Doretti roadster was designed by Frank Rainbow and built for the American market. The car was built using Triumph TR2 running gear (engine, gearbox, drive shaft, and axles). The chassis was built using Reynolds 531 tubing and the bodywork was made by Panelcraft from aluminium and steel sheet metal. Production ceased after only 276 cars were built because the Swallow Doretti became a direct competitor of the Jaguar XK 120 roadster. Only 74 cars of this type are still known to exist: a very rare automobile indeed!
