As the company headed deeper into body production, its name was changed to SS Cars Limited in 1933. William Lyons became very serious about auto building. The firm began using more capable chassis and creating performance cars that finally lived up to their quality looks.
The separate companies were converted to aid in Britain's war effort during Word War II. When production resumed in 1945, the name SS Cars Ltd was quickly changed to Jaguar Cars Ltd to avoid the Nazi stigma. William Lyons abandoned the sidecar works to focus on car building.
This was not the end of Swallow, though. The maker of sidecars and car bodies was purchased by the Helliwell Group, a producer of aircraft components. Since its buyout by the Helliwell Group, Swallow had continued producing sidecars at a Walsall Airport facility. For the years 1954 and 1955, that airport works was used to produce the Triumph TR2-based Swallow Doretti.
The shape of the new car was a hybrid of Italian and British elements. The prominent grille was reminiscent of the Ferrari 166, while the rear end hinted at MGA influence. The car was well-proportioned and attractive, looking much better than most examples of low-volume cars from largely unknown manufacturers. Adding to the body's appeal was its high level of fit and finish.
Such drastic changes were not found in the powertrain, where stock TR2 engines and gearboxes were employed. They ran a 90 horsepower 121 cubic inch inline 4 cyclinder engine capable of 100 mph. These stock units failed to compensate for the increased weight of the Doretti, and performance suffered. The Doretti was only slightly slower than the TR2, but with a cost 20% higher than its Triumph relative, this was inexcusable. The Doretti also offered less interior space for luggage and passengers. Slow sales resulted, and production was discontinued in 1955 after just 276 had been built.
Despite its shortcomings, the Doretti was a well-engineered sports car. Its good looks and high quality made it a car worth keeping, and more than half of all Swallow Dorettis are accounted for today.
