After Swallow Sidecars achieved the SS100 and became SS Cars Ltd (and eventually Jaguar Cars), the sidecar operation was set up as Swallow Coachbuilding and then came to be owned by the Tube Investments Group. In 1954 an attempt was made to create a sports car marketed above the Triumph TR2 and beneath the more expensive Jaguar XK120. Frank Rainbow designed the Doretti built on steel tubes and using Triumph TR2 mechanics. The name 'Doretti' may come from Dorothy Deen who was involved in a brand 'Doretti' selling luggage and accessories, and her father Arthur Andersen met Eric Sanders of Tube Investments and discussed creating a new sports car. The steel tuble chassis was wider and longer than the TR2 item, and was clothed in a body made by Panelcraft. Launched in 1953, the Doretti was effectively killed off in 1955 possibly because Tube Investments sold many components to Jaguar and Triumph who may have worried about competition from the Doretti. Sir John Black was badly injured on a demonstration run in a Swallow Doretti driven by BRM test driver, and subsequently stepped down from the board of Standard-Triumph; this event may have quelled his enthusiasm for the Doretti
Swallow Doretti. - Badge on bonnet
Swallow Doretti - grille. Behind the grille lay a 1991cc 4-cylinder Triumph TR2 engine.
Swallow Doretti. Built on Triumph TR2 mechanics, the Doretti had a 4-cylinder engine derived from the Standard Vanguard unit.
Swallow Doretti. In 1945 Jaguar Cars sold off its former Swallow Coachbuilding operation and in 1954/55 Swallow created a few Triumph TR2-based sports car named the 'Doretti' after American distributor Dorothy Deen.
Swallow Doretti. Built by Swallow Coachbuilding Company ogf Walsall from late 1954. Conceived by Eric Saunders, the Doretti used a new tubular frame chassis with the suspension and mechanics from the Triumph TR2. The body was designed by F. G. Rainbow and was both longer and wider than the TR2. Production ceased in 1955 after 290 were sold; the car was too expensive and did not sell well on the American market, and Standard-Triumph stopped selling components to Swallow.
Swallow Doretti. Frank Rainbow designed the Healey-like body in 1953 and the Doretti was in production by 1954
Swallow Doretti. Frank Rainbow designed the Doretti body which was built on a tubular frame longer and wider than the Triumph TR2 on which it was based, The body was built by Panelcraft Sheetmetal Co. Ltd of Woodgate, Birmngham
Swallow Doretti. The body was designed by F. G. Rainbow and was both longer and wider than the TR2. Production ceased in 1955 after 290 were sold;
Swallow Doretti - interior
Swallow Doretti. Frank Rainbow designed the Doretti body which was built on a tubular frame longer and wider than the Triumph TR2 on which it was based, The body was built by Panelcraft
