1954 Swallow Doretti Roadster
Jaguar began as a motorcycle sidecar manufacturer under the name Swallow in 1935. After WWII, the sidecar business was sold and the name changed to Jaguar — the icon we all know today. The Swallow Doretti was a two-seat roadster with the motor and gearbox from the Triumph TR2. The tight handling and 100 MPH top speed made it a performer in its day, while the Doretti name was used to give the car some Italian flair — along with a body design reminiscent of the Ferrari 166M Barchetta. Only 276 were built between 1954 and 1955, with pressure from Jaguar rumored to have factored into stopping production. This Doretti was sold new in Scotland before making its way to Canada, From there, its westward journey ended in Idaho, where it received a complete ground-up restoration to its current factory-correct standard. The car will be auctioned at RM Sotheby's Amelia Island auction in May.