Highlights

One of only 276 Dorettis built
€130,000 high end restoration
Vast history file of documents back to earliest days
‘Better than new’ condition
Beautifully detailed car amongst the best available

The Appeal

Just 276 Dorettis were built and this one must be, if not the best, certainly a serious contender. It has just emerged from a €130,000 restoration involving highly regarded specialists and is unexpectedly on the market. As such, it is a fascinating opportunity for collectors.

Taking the running gear of the TR2 and clothing it in a sleek, handsome aluminium body resulted in one of the prettiest and most capable cars of the post-war British sport car boom era. The Doretti had all the makings of success, yet only a handful were built.

For that we have to thank Sir William Lyons. He founded the Swallow Car Company, but sold the name to Tube Investments (TI), a major supplier to Lyons’ firm Jaguar. When TI launched the Doretti and found itself with a hit on its hands - the car outsold the TR2 during its 10 month production run - Lyons saw a threat to his XK120 and threatened to pull his business. The result was the death of the Doretti.

That car’s abilities and looks plus the lure of that fascinating story and its rarity all explain why Dorettis are revered by collectors. This one is a delight, beautifully finished in sky blue with a high quality black leather and blue stitched and piped interior. Everything has been refurbished or renewed, a fact that is immediately obvious from the photographs. The work has only just been completed.

The Doretti is one of British motoring’s most stylish, unusual and rare two seaters. And this one is a collector-quality example.

History and Paperwork

First UK registered 30th September 1954
Appears to be an original UK-market RHD car
Extensive history file contained in a carefully annotated folder
Supplied by C C McRae of Manchester with dealer plaque in door
Retains its Swallow door sill plaques
1954 paperwork with USA customer regarding the car
UK records show two UK keepers, with the last change in 1988
The number of keepers may be higher due to changes in UK DVLA record keeping
Original registration document in photocopied form showing changes of ownership
Swallow sales brochure
Chassis number 1145
Originally finished in white
UK registered on plate LDK965
Now Dutch registered which should simply movement within the EU
Imported to the Netherlands from the UK in 2012 by the current keeper
Restoration begun after 2012 and recently completed
Restoration work undertaken by high-end and well-known specialists
Car is for sale as part of a deceased estate
Fully restored with extensive photographic documentation
Old UK registration book and modern V5 present
Vendor states that due to the fresh restoration some light finishing may be required

The Condition

Comprehensively restored car in close to exceptional condition
Described as ‘better than new’ by seller
Work recently completed and car appears to have been unused since
There may be some minor work to complete not immediately visible in photos
Attractive mid-blue paintwork in very good order with factory-correct fittings
Bodywork presents very well with no obvious defects and straight, well fitting panels
Exterior chromework and fittings finished to a high standard and factory-correct
Chrome wire wheels with matching spare in as-new condition
Dunlop as-new tyres fitted all round including spare
Underside in freshly restored condition
Hood frame and tonneau included
Well-detailed car including the original Swallow sill trims and supplying dealer plaque
Beautiful interior finished in black with light blue highlights
Leather seats with blue piping and matching carpets, all as new
Retrimmed dashboard and door tops with black leather and leather stitching finish
Sympathetic restoration retains details such as the original convex glass dial covers

This beautiful Doretti is a part to the restorer’s art. The work has clearly been done by craftsmen who know these cars well, their handiwork retaining the detailed factory features that maintain the value and provenance of these exceptionally rare cars.

The colour scheme of light blue with black interior is not original but is inspired and suits the car’s lines. The body restoration and paint finish are of the highest standard and the retrim similarly impressive. The detailing inside is remarkable, the black and blue theme extended to the dash and door tops where the leather is stitched with light blue leather trim.

All of this work has only just been completed at considerable cost. The buyer gets a ‘box fresh’ car with only very minor details to consider completing.

The Mechanics

Triumph TR2 running gear including engine and gearbox
Sweet-revving 1,991cc Triumph 4cyl 90bhp engine
4spd manual gearbox
Twin SU carburettor
Fully rebuilt mechanicals and running gear as shown in photographs
Work just completed so may require a check over and running in

Key to the Doretti’s success was that it took the running gear of one of the best contemporary sports cars and clothed it in handsome bodywork. The Swallow was wider and slightly heavier than the TR2 but performance was similar and roadholding similarly impressive. Contemporary reviewers were full of praise.

This car is believed to be a matching numbers example but everything has been fully rebuilt. That work was undertaken by very reputable specialists and the results are clear from the photographs. This is a very well-executed car.

The mechanical restoration is so fresh that the vendor advises some checks and running in may be required. Judging by the condition we see plus the reputation of these cars, that should be a simple and rewarding process.

BEFORE YOU BUY

This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:

✓ The seller of this vehicle is registered as a business seller. And you are covered by Car & Classic’s Terms and Conditions.

✓ We request that a non-refundable fee be paid if you are the lucky winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted. Please refer to our helpful FAQs and T&Cs for specific rates.

✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is Where Is’ basis and without warranty. Photos and descriptions are solely for guidance purposes and it's customary to carry out a full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase for your own peace of mind.

✓ VAT is included in the buyer's deposit. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing.

✓ We want a smooth transaction just as much as you do and as such we run all UK-registered cars and motorbikes for sale on Car & Classic through an online HPI check to verify that they show no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and have no finance owing, allowing you to bid with confidence.

✓ We also check whether vehicles are recorded as being written off as part of an insurance total loss claim at the time an advert is placed and we helpfully provide write-off category labels (Cat C/D/S/N) for your assistance, the presence or absence of a label does not guarantee the vehicle’s status and it's always worthwhile carrying out your own full vehicle history check before making an offer.

✓Buyers are responsible for vehicle collection

or delivery. Importing vehicles may result in additional customs duties and import taxes so it's worth checking beforehand. If requested we may refer you to a third-party shipping company who can help. For more details and to speak to the team, email [email protected]