The magnificent 1955 Swallow Doretti Roadster featured here is finished in stunning Pearl White over a gorgeous blue leather interior. This particular Doretti is one of the last examples built and reputedly sat in dry storage near Riverside, California, for almost 50 years. Beginning in 2011, an extensive nut-and-bolt, Concours quality restoration was performed that took four years to complete. Since then, this Swallow Doretti has enjoyed numerous accolades, including an appearance at the 2016 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance and an award from the Historic Vehicle Association at the 2016 Concours d’Elegance of America at St. Johns. An incredible amount of documentation accompanies this investment-grade motorcar, including its owner’s manual, tool kit, full tonneau cover, side curtains, restoration photos, and nearly $80,000 in receipts! We are extremely proud to offer this outstanding 1955 Swallow Doretti Roadster to the most astute collector or investor appreciating provenance, rarity, and exceptional condition. Classic cars have proven to be among the most resilient and rewarding investments in recent years, with the Historic Automobile Group Index (HAGI) jumping 39% in 2013, 16% in 2014, and 17% in 2015 while posting gains of 467% over the last 10 years. Ready to make an investment you can actually enjoy? Please contact one of our expert sales consultants for more information. They will be happy to give you a complete walk-around, supply you with a more detailed description, and answer any questions you may have. Buy with confidence.



HISTORY OF THE SWALLOW DORETTI

The Swallow Doretti was a product of the Swallow Coachbuilding Company, best known for its motorcycle sidecars and their association with Jaguar before WWII. After the war, William Lyons sold the company to Tube Investments, who quickly saw the demand for small sports cars because they had gained a share of the previously dominated market by motorcycle sidecars prior to the war. In 1954, the Doretti entered production. The car's foundation was a unique steel tube chassis that held Triumph TR2 running gear under aluminum bodywork. While the chassis itself bore a strong resemblance to the Triumph, it's construction was stiffer and noticeably larger. Drivetrain placement was pushed further back, which resulted in even weight distribution and smooth handling. Its aluminum bodywork gave the Doretti an ample power to weight ratio. Styling was penned by Frank Rainbow of Tube Investments, who evoked the look of some early Ferraris with his front-end treatment. The name Doretti was an Italianization of Dorothy Dean, the daughter of importer Arthur Anderson, who also happened to be the Triumph distributor for Southern California. With the stunning appearance, excellent handling, and 100mph performance, the Doretti was praised by automotive enthusiasts. Due to pressure from Lyons and the rest of the British Motor Industry, the Doretti ceased production in 1955, with only 276 examples produced. With only approximately 80 known to exist today, the Swallow Doretti remains highly praised in vintage sports car circles and are highly sought-after by collectors.

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