User:Kumboloi/sandbox/Swallow Doretti

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Swallow Doretti
1954 open two-seater
Overview
ManufacturerSwallow, a subsidiary of the TI Group
Production1954–1955
DesignerFrank Rainbow ref???
Body and chassis
Body style
LayoutF/R
RelatedTriumph TR2
Powertrain
Engine1,991 cc (121.5 cu in) I4
Transmission4-speed manual. Optional overdrive
Dimensions
Wheelbase95 in (2,413 mm)[1]
Length152 in (3,861 mm)[1]
Width61 in (1,549 mm)[1]
Height52.5 in (1,334 mm)[1]
Kerb weight19+1⁄4 long cwt (2,156 lb; 978 kg)[2]

The Swallow Doretti is a British sports car produced in 1954 and 1955. It was built on a custom chassis, and used Triumph TR2 mechanicals. The idea for the car originated from a meeting of executives from two companies that manufactured steel tubing, one American and one English. The Doretti was designed in England with input from the eventual American distributor, and was intended for the US market, and in particular the west coast.

History[edit]

Swallow Coachbuilding[edit]

In 1922, William Lyons and William Walmsley established the Swallow Sidecar Company in Blackpool, England. The company soon expanded from sidecars into producing automobile bodies for the Austin 7. In 1927, the name of the company was changed to the Swallow Sidecar and Coachbuilding Company, and the same year they debuted their Austin 7 "Swallow". In 1928 the company moved to a factory in Coventry, and for the next several years continued to produce both sidecars and custom auto coachwork built atop the chassis, powertrains, and running gear of other manufacturers.[3]

By 1931, even though the company continued to produce sidecars, the word was dropped from the name, becoming the Swallow Coachbuilding Company. 1931 was also when Lyons finalised an agreement with Sir John Black of the Standard Motor Company for Black's company to produce a customised chassis with a version of Standard's six cylinder engine for Swallow Coachbuilding, whose SS1 model first appeared at the London Motor Show in October 1931. Production of the SS1 and SS2 continued until 1935, when the firm was split in two. Swallow Coachbuilding (1935) Limited would continue building motorcycle sidecars, while a new company called SS Cars Limited took over automobile production.[3]

In the post-war year of 1945, automobile production resumed after another renaming, from SS Cars Limited to Jaguar Cars Limited. At the same time Lyons decided to sell the sidecar business, and negotiated the sale of Swallow Coachbuilding (1935) Limited with Eric Sanders of Helliwells Limited, who manufactured aircraft components.[3]

From November 1946 to some time in the early 1950s, the company had produced the Swallow Gadabout scooter.[4]

In 1950 the Helliwell Group was acquired by Tube Investments (TI). The TI consortium was formed in 1919, when several companies involved in producing seamless steel tubing, merged.[3] ref??? The Reynolds Tube Co., Ltd joined the group in 1928.[5][6]

Cal Sales[edit]

The Doretti name predates the car, and was originally used for a line of auto accessories by a company run by Dorothy Deen, an American businesswoman and auto enthusiast born in Hollywood, California. Sold rights to the "Doretti" name for one dollar. Secured rights to Triumph cars distribution in the western United States.[7][8][9][10]

Frank G. Rainbow was an engineer who started his career with the Bristol Omnibus Company, then went to Bristol Engines. Rainbow was listed as co-driver with Stirling Moss in a Jaguar XK120 in the 1951 Mille Miglia, and also served as a race mechanic for Jaguar in the early 1950s. He later went to the TI Group as a troubleshooter.[11]

Cal Sales became Triumph cars' distributor for all of the United States west of the Mississippi river.[8][7]

The Doretti[edit]

Doretti badge

"A July 1952 meeting about tubing between Swallow MD Eric Sanders and Arthur Andersen of the California-based Rome Cable Corporation that plans for the Doretti were hatched."[12]

"The design was the concept of a coach-builder named Eric Sanders and a Californian Tubing Company boss Arthur Andersen. Following a visit by Eric Sanders to California in July of 1952 both men felt that there was a market for sports cars in the USA and at home."[3]

The car was designed in-house by engineer Frank Rainbow, ref??? and produced in the TI factory at The Airport, Walsall, Staffordshire, England.[1][13][14]

Early in 1953 Frank Rainbow began work on the design of the Swallow Doretti.[3]

"Specifications for the car were drawn up by Arthur Anderson and one Frank G Rainbow (the designer of the very successful Swallow Gadabout Scooter). The specification had to include the TR2 engine, transmission and running gear because of availability, the special relationship with Sir John Black the Standard Triumph Chief"[3]

"Design of the car commenced in January 1953 and Frank Rainbow having been given a free hand, except for the proviso that the first car had to be completed in 9 months, had the first car completed and road tested in less than 9 months. The first car arrived in California in September 1953."[3]

"Frank Rainbow delivered the first car to California personally, travelling onboard the Queen Mary in September 1953 to New York and then by air to California. The first public showing of the Doretti and TR2 in the United States took place on 6th January 1954 in the Embassy Room at the Ambassador Hotel, Los Angeles, California."[3]

"British publications first carried news of the car in October 1953. To introduce the car to the British motoring press, early in the summer of 1954 Swallow invited journalists to a luncheon, followed by a track day at Silverstone. However, most of the full road tests for British magazines were not published until November of that year."[3]

Three prototype Mk II cars, called Sabres, were produced. These had a stiffer chassis and better weight distribution. They also added wind-down windows.[15][16] Moving the fuel tank to a vertical position allowed two small jump seats to be added.[11][15]

"Anderson arranged a promotion display for the car at the Ambassador Hote1 in Los Angeles."[17]

In 1954 Rainbow travelled to the US to present car in Los Angeles, at the Ambassador Hotel.[18]

Based on earlier design done by Eric Sanders of TI.[19]

Production of the Doretti stopped in 1955 when the parent company TI Group changed policy. Allegedly, pressure placed on the TI Group's directors by the British motor industry, most notably Jaguar, alleged that Doretti production created a conflict of interest for TI by giving Swallow an advantage over other customers in buying its products.[citation needed]

The Doretti was the only car that the TI Group ever built under the Swallow name. In total 275 Mk I open two-seaters were produced, and a single fixedhead coupé.[15]

Twelve cars left incomplete when production ended were sold off as kits.[3]

"about twelve of the cars in the assembly process and not completed, were disposed of as kits to enthusiasts. Another recipient of many surplus Doretti parts was John Churchley, owner of Monkspath Garage in Solihull. Following up on an advertisment, Churchley visited the factory spares department who wanted to clear out their stock. After purchasing all the stock, Monkspath exported Doretti parts world-wide for many years."[20]

The Doretti name and logo were registered as UK Trade Marks by Canadian Peter Schömer in September 2013. The registration expired in September 2023, and was removed in March 2024.[21]

Rainbow worked for Triumph briefly before taking over Teesdale Tools, his father's business.[22][11]

Sir John Black's interest in the Doretti went beyond Standard-Triumph's role as a parts supplier to Swallow Coachworks; Black wanted to take over the project and rebrand it as a Triumph.[23][11][8] A Doretti prototype, specially trimmed and painted a custom red colour, was made available to Black in 1953. During a test drive in this car, Black and driver Ken Richardson were struck by a truck entering the works. The men were injured but survived, while the car was destroyed. Black left the directorship of Triumph shortly thereafter.[24][25]

A single fixed head coupé, designed by Peter Kirwan-Taylor, who went on to style the original Lotus Elite, was produced.[23][11]

Prototype completed in nine months, then sent to the United States. ref??? msm

Arrived in the US with first shipment of TR2s. To Cal Sales, and Dorothy Deen. https://mossmotoring.com/the-first-trs-in-the-usa/

In 1956 Swallow Coachbuilding (1935) Company Ltd. was sold to sidecar builder Watsonian of Birmingham.[18] https://www.uniquecarsandparts.com/history_swallow_sidecars.htm [26]

Features[edit]

Rear three-quarter view

Chassis and body[edit]

The Doretti has a ladder chassis whose main lengthwise members are tubes of Reynolds 531 manganese–molybdenum, medium-carbon steel.[15] Reynolds, the tubing supplier, was another member of the TI Group.

Long u-channel stampings were attached above and below the main tubes to create rectangular side members. ref???

The double-skinned body had an inner structural steel skin on each running from the front of the car to the back, only being interrupted for door access cutouts, and an aluminium outer skin.

Fabrication of the aluminium bodywork was contracted out to Panelcraft Sheetmetal Company Ltd. of Birmingham.[8]

The Doretti had much improved stability, its track was 3 in (76 mm) wider, and its wheelbase 7 in (178 mm) longer.

Some have likened features of the Doretti's body with the Ferrari 166MM 'Barchetta' and Austin-Healey 100.[27] Other reviewers said it most closely resembles the Allard Palm Beach.[23][11]

Hand built.[23]

Trim[edit]

Interior

Cars came with fitted leather luggage.[15][28]

Came with a heater, which was an extra-cost option in the TR2.[28]

Car had side-curtains, rather than wind-down windows. ref???

Powertrain[edit]

Power comes from a 1,991 cc (121.5 cu in) Standard wet liner inline-four engine.

The car's manual transmission has four forward speed, plus reverse, with the first gear unsynchronised.[29] Most cars were fitted with an optional Laycock-de Normanville electric epicyclic overdrive.

Running gear[edit]

The Doretti's front suspension was sourced from the TR2, and comprised upper and lower wishbones, coil springs, and telescopic dampers.[11]

The rear suspension used the TR2's solid axle, semi-elliptic leaf springs and lever-arm dampers, but added tubular radius arms to control the wheel hop experienced by the TR2.[3][30]

Performance[edit]

Customised Doretti, chassis 1152

An overdrive-equipped Doretti tested by British magazine The Motor in 1954 had a top speed of 100.2 mph (161.3 km/h), and could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph (0 to 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 measured during the same test.

The test car cost £1,158 including taxes.[2] The standard version without overdrive cost £1,102. At the time a Triumph TR2 cost £887.[31]

Technical data[edit]

Swallow Doretti Detail
Engine: Standard wet liner inline-four engine
Bore × Stroke: 83 mm × 92 mm (3.27 in × 3.62 in)
Displacement: 1,991 cc (121.5 cu in)
Maximum power: 90 bhp (67 kW) at 4800 rpm
Maximum torque: 116.6 ft⋅lb (158.1 N⋅m) at 3000 rpm
Compression ratio: 8.5:1
Valvetrain:  Single cam-in-block, pushrods, rocker arms, 2 overhead valves per cylinder
Induction:  Two SU H4 carburettors
Cooling:  Water-cooled
Transmission:  Manual, 4-speeds plus reverse
Clutch:  Borg & Beck 9 in (229 mm) single dry plate
Steering:  Bishop Cam
Turns lock-to-lock:  2¼
Turning circle:  36+1⁄2 ft (11.1 m)
Brakes f/r: Lockheed drums 10 in (254 mm) front, 9 in (229 mm) rear
Suspension front: Upper and lower wishbones, coil springs and telescopic dampers
Suspension rear: Beam axle, semi-elliptic leaf springs, lever-arm dampers
Body/Chassis: Double skinned steel/aluminium body on tubular steel ladder chassis
Track f/r: 48 / 45+1⁄2 in (1,219 / 1,156 mm)
Wheelbase: 95 in (2,413 mm)
Tyres f/r: 5.50 × 15
Length:
Width:
Height:		 152 in (3,861 mm)
61 in (1,549 mm)
48+1⁄2 in (1,232 mm)[1]
Weight: 19+1⁄4 long cwt (2,156 lb; 978 kg)[2]
Maximum speed: 100.2 mph (161.3 km/h)[2]
Fuel consumption:  28 mpg‑imp (10 L/100 km; 23 mpg‑US)

The Balchowsky Dorettis[edit]

American racing driver and race car builder Max Balchowsky performed engine swaps on six or seven Dorettis during the years 1954 and 1955. The swaps entailed removing the original Standard four cylinder engine, and installing in its place an American V8, most often a Buick, but also Cadillac and Chevrolet.[32][33]

Motorsports[edit]

Some racing here.[34]

Some more racing here.[35]

Dorettis appeared in several sports car races, both in England and the US, including many SCCA events stateside.[36]

Max Balchowsky personally raced a modified Swallow Doretti just prior to acquiring the Morgensen Special, which he rebuilt to create the original Old Yeller.[37]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f "The Swallow Doretti" (PDF). The Motor. 6 January 1954. pp. 851–852.
  2. ^ a b c d "The Swallow Doretti" (PDF). The Motor. 15 September 1954. pp. 222–225.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Neath, Alan (ed.). "Swallow Derotti sports cars built in Aldridge". www.aldridge-web.com.
  4. ^ "Swallow Motorcycles". www.historywebsite.co.uk.
  5. ^ "Tube Investments". www.gracesguide.co.uk. 16 March 2023.
  6. ^ "Reynolds Tube Co". www.gracesguide.co.uk. 12 March 2023.
  7. ^ a b Dykes, Chris (3 June 2009). "Dorothy Deen". www.hagerty.com.
  8. ^ a b c d Thorne, Malcolm (29 June 2023). "Triumph TR2 vs Swallow Doretti: genetic engineering". www.classicandsportscar.com.
  9. ^ Yankey, Ken (29 December 2003). "Dorothy Deen". Archived from the original on 13 February 2007. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
  10. ^ Stein, Jonathan A. (7 November 2007). "Dorothy Deen, 1922–2007". www.velocetoday.com.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g Lawrence, Mike (September 1988). "A car called DOROTHY" (PDF). Classic and Sports Car. pp. 72–77.
  12. ^ "Missing Moniker — Swallow Doretti" (PDF). Motoring Classics. Summer 2017. p. 8.
  13. ^ "Triumph-Engined High-Speed Roadster — The Swallow Doretti". The Autocar. 15 January 1954.
  14. ^ Yankey, Ken (15 November 2003). "Swallow Doretti Page — Frank Rainbow". Archived from the original on 18 May 2021. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
  15. ^ a b c d e Lawrence, Mike (1996). A to Z of Sports Cars, 1945-1990. Bideford, Devon: Bay View Books. pp. 292, 293. ISBN 1870979818.
  16. ^ Yankey, Ken (2005). "Swallow Doretti Cars and Owners — Swallow Sabre/Doretti Mk II". doretti.co.uk.
  17. ^ "Chapter V: Helliwells". pp. 58–69 https://www.doretti.no/pdf/helliwells_walsall_history.pdf. {{cite book}}: |first= missing |last= (help); Missing or empty |title= (help)
  18. ^ a b May, R.W., ed. (July–August 1973). "British Sports Cars of Yesteryear — The Swallow Doretti" (PDF). The Bulletin. Horsham, Sussex: The Allard Register & Sports Car Association. p. 2.
  19. ^ Escalante, Albert (1 March 2000). "The Swallow Doretti". mossmotoring.com.
  20. ^ Yankey, Ken (17 June 2021). "Swallow Doretti Cars and Owners — Post-production vehicles". doretti.co.uk.
  21. ^ "Trademarks — Doretti". trademarks.ipo.gov.uk.
  22. ^ Melissen, Wouter (28 October 2011). "Swallow Doretti". www.ultimatecarpage.com. p. 2.
  23. ^ a b c d Lawrence, Mike (September 1988). "The Swallow Doretti — A Missed Opportunity?". Motor Sport}.
  24. ^ Krause, G. William (8 September 2017). "The Italian Job". The Illustrated History of Triumph Sports and Racing Cars (PDF). CarTech. pp. 42–63. ISBN 978-1613253397.
  25. ^ Yankey, Ken (29 August 2023). "Swallow Doretti Cars and Owners — Chassis No.1000". www.doretti.co.uk.
  26. ^ "Swallow". www.historywebsite.co.uk.
  27. ^ Dival, Steve. "The Swallow Doretti". www.trdrivers.com.
  28. ^ a b "29 — 1955 Swallow Doretti Roadster". The Zoute Sale. Bonhams. 7 October 2016. pp. 82, 83.
  29. ^ "No. 1546 : Swallow Doretti" (PDF). The Autocar. September 1954. pp. 419–422.
  30. ^ {{cite magazine |last=Bolster |first=John |date= |title=John Bolster Tests The Swallow Doretti |url=https://www.doretti.no/pdf/autosport_october_1954.pdf |magazine=[[Autosport (magazine)|Autosport |pages=462–464 |location= |publisher= |access-date=}}
  31. ^ Robson, Graham (2006). A-Z of British Cars 1945-1980. Devon, UK: Herridge Books. ISBN 0-9541063-9-3.
  32. ^ Yankey, Ken (2007). "Swallow Doretti — Cars & Owners — Max Balchowsky — 2". Archived from the original on 24 March 2020. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
  33. ^ Rong, Blake Z. (August 2016). "Balchowsky's 1959 Old Yeller II: The Junkyard Dog That Beat The World". Road & Track.
  34. ^ Minasian, Raffi (20 October 2021). "Swallow Doretti". sportscardigest.com.
  35. ^ "Racing". Archived from the original on 26 December 2008. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
  36. ^ Krejci, Martin (ed.). "Swallow". www.racingsportscars.com.
  37. ^ Nagamatsu, Ernest. "Welcome to the official Old Yeller II website".
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Further reading[edit]

  • Georgano, Nick, ed. (2001). "Swallow (ii) (GB) 1954-1955". The Beaulieu Encyclopedia of the Automobile — P–Z. Vol. 3 (2nd ed.). Chicago, Illinois: Fitzroy Dearborn Publishers. p. 1554. ISBN 1-57958-293-1.</ref>
  • Farr, Bill (August–September 2001). "Swallow Doretti". British Car. No. 92. p. 40.

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Swallow Doretti.

Category:Sports cars Category:Cars introduced in 1954 Category:Convertibles Category:Rear-wheel-drive vehicles

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