The 1954-1955 Swallow Doretti was a short-lived attempt at a competitor for the Triumph TR2. Production was undertaken in Britain by a subsidiary of the giant Tube Investments Group. The branch was descended from the original Swallow coachworks of the '20s and '30s from which Jaguar evolved, but was not connected with the latterday Jaguar firm.
The Doretti borrowed much from its intended rival, using the TR2 engine, transmission, and front suspension. Its chassis was a box-section/tubular-member affair, and was topped by a smart, two-seat roadster body.
Bigger, heavier, and slower than the TR2, the Swallow Doretti's top speed
was nonetheless comparable at about 100 mph. However, the Doretti was very
costly, and failed to sell for that reason. Production ended almost as soon as
it began, marking the first -- and last -- attempt by this Swallow company at
carmaking.
- Well-known Triumph running gear
- Pleasant styling
- Individual and exclusive
Minuses of the 1954-1955 Swallow Doretti:
- Body and chassis parts all gone now
- Extremely rare and hard to find, even in Britain
Production
of the 1954-1955 Swallow Doretti:
approximately
250
Specifications
of the 1954-1955 Swallow Doretti:
Wheelbase, inches: 95.0
Length, inches: 156.0
Weight, pounds: 2,155
Price, new: NA
Engines for the 1954-1955 Swallow Doretti:
| Type | Size | Horsepower | Years |
| ohv I-4 |
1,991 cc (122 cid) | 90* | 1954-1955 |
* Gross
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