The Swallow Doretti was built by the Swallow Coachbuilding Company of Walsall, later to become part of the Tube Investments empire.The name Swallow was purchased from the Jaguar Car Company following 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 the Triumph TR2 and was offered only in convertible form. The car was powered by the Standard Triumph 90 bhp 4 cylinder engine and drove the rear wheels via a 4 speed gearbox. The chassis was Swallow's 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 a traceable history back to that date. It would appear the the car was put into storage for some twenty years and did not emerge again until the early noughties. The car was acquired in 2016 by a retired engineer who the set about a major restoration. At the time it was found that the car had the wrong engine which nescessitated 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 86mm piston and liners increasing the 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 3/4 HS6 carburettors to be fitted to the low port cylinder head. The transmission, including the Laycock overdrive underwent  a complete overhaul. During the restoration major items were renewed including a new hi torque starter motor, new fuel pump and new hydraulic master cylinder. The car was totally rewired. The wire wheels were rebuilt with the rear wheels offset to achieve a wider track.A new bespoke hood was ordered and the car comes with a tonneau cover and side screens.

The car has covered just 500 miles since the rebuild was completed and is readt to enjoy.

Part exchange welcome, ancient or modern, funds either way.

Please call me on 01676 533949 or 07860 804390 for ann appointment to view.