[Swallow Doretti Rocker Cover]

I am on the look-out for a Doretti Alloy Rocker Cover for my Swallow Doretti. Can anyone point me in the right direction? Presumably America is the most likely source. Can any of our American TR/Doretti friends help?

Thank You

Nigel Wilcox

 

 

Nigel,

 

I've reproduced this valve cover.. you can contact me off forum

tom Householder

trhouse@greenapple.com

[Dorothy Deen]

Hi Peter,

 

I think it's fair to say that the Doretti owes a considerable amount to the Austin Healey in terms of overall looks, as Frank Rainbow cheerfully acknowledged - but then both marques were more than a little influenced by the Italian styling trends of the time.

 

Cheers,

 

Alec

 

The Doretti design concept starts early in 1952 before the Healey is introduced. Both cars are definitely influenced by the late forties Ferrari. Jerry Cokers guideline in design was to not have any straight lines on the car. In my research I spoke with Jerry and he volentered an impession John Black had when he saw the 100 at the Earls Court 1n 1952.

I hope the previous post clears some of the mystery about the Doretti beginings.

Tom Householder

[Dorothy Deen]

"In Search of the Swallow"

 

“ Doretti in Design”

 

Thirty years of digging though a mired design history of the Swallow Doretti the chronology of events align and the whole story unfolds. The Doretti adorned with initial design awards and sales sucsess was run-a- muck in part by a suggested conflictive interest clause relative to Swallow Coach Builder’s prior ownership.

 

Recorded histories fall short in satisfactorily convincing one of its origin. Primarily due to the rush in which the Doretti and the TR2 get on line to fill the appetite of the USA and World market for sports cars. Sports car fever was jump started by Ferrari's introduction and racing success with the 1948 166mm Bachetta (one of the first being shipped to Southern California). Adding to the Doretti confusion is the secret involvement Sir John Black collaborating in its development and sidestepping an initial commitment to Willy’s to distribute the TR2 line.

 

The concept for the car begins in California with the Andersens and Swallow Director John Saunders early 1952. Dorothy reportedly drew up a suggested design, I suspect was similar to a Ferrari.  Late in 1952 Sir John Black gets involved through Saunders after the introduction of the TR1, interested in a design similar to the Healey 100. The Doretti is designed and built in the same four months the prototype TR2 cars are being put together. While in England in the spring of 1953 to give input on the almost finished prototype Doretti, Dorothy rode in the Jabbekee speed test car with Richardson It’s at this time the distribution talks about the TR line start taking form, and the rights to the Doretti accessories name is sold to Tube Investments.  There is a lot more to the convoluted interlace between Dorothy, her Father Aurthur, and Triumph. The California involvement is considerably more significant than the history books credit. The initial major investment is committed via the Andersen’s wanting to get into the auto business after the sale of their Rome Cable Tubing Company interests. Most of the initial 80 or so Doretti cars were committed to the USA. Cal Sales is formed and built after the sping 1953 trip to England and in full swing for the debut of the Doretti and introduction of the TR2 in Jan 1954.

 

The Doretti car badge was designed in California. The Triangle shape and overtop Doretti name. Taken from the originl accessories company logo. The infered prancing horse is several drawing generations away from the creature that originally came off the drawing board. It originally looked like a Heraldic medieval fire breathing horse (visions of the headless horseman's steed) with some distinct Gryphon characteristics. The Hollywood antimated British creation lent to some consevative clean up and resolution loss in badge production. However it kept it’s infered posture sporting still the heraldic flair with a symbolic lions tail. Even without being able to specifically identify the equine creature, the result is a very elegant and favorable signature badge.

 

The laced cowl capping is shared with the 1948 166mm Barchetta. (These are the only two cars in history that are known to have used the treatment).  It's not hard to see what all influenced the design when you take close look at the early history. 

 

I sort of tout history by calling the Doretti a Heraldic California Ferrari.... and Triumphs Healey want-to-be.  The world thinks it's Italian. The quasi educated think it’s British - the between-the-lines reality is that it is an American concept car, Collaborated on and built in England, using some of the finest craftsmen of the industry.

 

The Doretti was formally designed By Frank Rainbow, who also over-saw the production at Swallow Coachbuilders. Frank hired Panelcraft LTD Woodgate to build the bodies.  They had just built the first 140 Nash Healeys. (Check out the panel similarities sometime). Panelcrafts experience with the similar lines without a doubt expedited the almost overnight completion of the prototype. Their experience provided superior quality in the resulting production.

 

The interaction with Sir John Black, with visions of a Healey similar design, provided the Doretti with a drive train. Sir John is quoted to have said in front of the 52 Healey display. “This is the car we should have built” weeks later he is in a meeting with Andersen, Saunders, and Frank Rainbow discussing design parameters. Design starts Jan of 1953.

Black seals a deal early in 53 with Willy’s to distribute the TR2 and then drops out of the deal, (following Willy’s merger with Kaiser)and pursues distribution with Andersen that spring. Black gets the first production Doretti... Is in an accident with it and the Hush! Hush! car is exposed.. He gets layed up and then retired by the board, amidst the TR2 and Doretti making their debut in the USA.

Triumph fortunately ends up with Dorothy - the exciting and multi-talented distributor who promoted both cars quite successfully, and her father Aurthur, who traveled throughout the Western USA selling dealers the new franchises. And we the public, have obsession with “Triumph Glory” and “Power Graced by Elegange”

 

Thanks Dorothy!!!!

 

 

 

T.R. Householder

Swallow Doretti Consultant

Vintage Triumph Register

Doretti.com

“In Search of the Swallow”

[Dorothy Deen]

Dorothy, in fact. was a major factor in the success of TRIUMPH . Most of us are second and third generation owners away from the early fifties and didn't experience the excitement of the Sports Car explotion world wide in the late forties and fifties. For me it has been a treat to re-live that era through the TR2 and Doretti research I've done over the past 40 years. Dorothy and Jim have been very gratious in the sharing their experiences with the presevationist and enthisiasts that still live the thrill. A few years back, before she took ill, I encouraged her to attend the San Diego Triumph meet to see the enthusiasm owners still have for the Marque she so succesfully promoted. She had a wonderfull time sharing her experiences with the participants. As a humble tribute I have put a photo of her in the Doretti and a TR up on my screen saver and invite the Triumph and Doretti world to do the same.

 

T.R. Householder

Swallow Doretti Vehicle Consultant

Vintage Triumph Register

Doretti.com

trhouse@greenapple.com