Throwback Thursday: 1954 Swallow Doretti road test

This meant that the Doretti, weighing less than a ton, had “very lively performance, a satisfactory maximum speed, lively acceleration, and, in view of the performance,  a modest thirst for fuel”.

We achieved a top speed of 101mph, and found “the Doretti will cruise very comfortably at around 80mph, leaving plenty of power on hand, should it be required”. There was plenty of power at low revs, too, and we found the unit to be very flexible.

The clutch, meanwhile, was smooth and “well able to deal with the demands of an enthusiastic sports car driver”.

The suspension was one of the key differences to the TR2 that the Swallow was based on.

“At the front, the suspension consists of a conventional arrangement of coil springs and wishbones,” we explained, “but at the rear, torque rods are added to the open propeller-shaft drive to ensure that the rear leaf springs do not simulate a letter S under violent braking or accelerating.”

We found the ride to be “hard by modern standards, particularly noticeable over rough surfaces”. However, this meant there was “very little roll on corners”.

Weight distribution was 52/48 in favour of the front, giving “a very slight degree of understeer”. However, “the car displays good manners generally and holds its line well on corners. The steering is light and accurate.” There was little kickback through the wheel and it provided good feedback.

The hydraulically operated brakes, meanwhile, “are very powerful and require only a moderate pedal pressure for maximum retardation”.

One of our biggest gripes with the Doretti was refinement. “With the hood and side screens in position, the general noise level is comparatively high,” from the exhaust, air intake cleaners and gears. It was, at least, relatively free of vibration.

Of practicality, we said: “Bearing in mind the length of the wheelbase, the cockpit space is rather limited and a little extra travel on the seat adjustment would be appreciated.”

“The seat itself is quite large and gives good support,” we continued, but even as far back as it would go it was “comparatively close to the steering wheel, while the wheel itself is rather close to the inside of the door”. Headroom was good. The pedals were well spaced, although there wasn’t much space to rest one’s left foot.

The dashboard was laid out simply, and we were pleased that a heater came as standard, making the car “quite warm and snug, with very little draught, even at high speed”.

As for the soft-top roof, “it can be quickly folded down into the well behind the seats and enclosed by a tonneau cover which is provided with a central zip so that the passenger seat can be enclosed when the car is driven solo”. We drove the Doretti in heavy rain and found it to be completely waterproof. Luggage space was notably restricted, mind.