Dutton Cars
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Dutton Cars, based in Worthing, England, was a maker of kit cars between 1970 and 1989. In terms of numbers of kits produced, it was for a time the largest kit car manufacturer in the world.
The company was founded by Tim Dutton Wooley and ran from a small workshop where a series of cars based on the P1 prototype were built, no two being the same. Things stabilised in October 1971 when a production model, the B-Type appeared with a more or less standard specification and based on Triumph Herald components. A move was also made to a larger factory in Tangmere, Chichester.
In 1979 Dutton announced the Sierra, an estate car with off-road looks. The Sierra name was also planned to be used by Ford who claimed sole rights. A court case resulted and Dutton won the right to continue with the name on kit cars as the judge ruled that these were a separate category from assembled cars. Dutton was awarded costs aginst Ford and gained immense publicity. The Sierra is claimed to be the biggest selling kit car ever. A further move to larger premises back in Worthing was made in the same year with glass fibre body making at a separate works in Lancing.
By 1984 70 people were employed and production topped 1000. In 1989 the company was closed down and the designs sold. A new model had been developed called the Maroc, a heavily modified Ford Fiesta with convertible body, and this was made by 'Hacker Engineering in Littlehampton. Initially it was available as a factory finished car but prices became too high and from 1993 kit versions were made available. The design has been sold on to Novus of Bolney, Sussex and a modified version is still available (2006).
After leaving the kit car business and closing down the company Tim Dutton Wooley operated as a consultant but returned to the automobile making business in 1995 with the Dutton Amphibian and Dutton Commando, amphibious cars based on the Ford Fiesta and Suzuki Samurai. One has been driven across the English Channel.
[edit] Models
| Type | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dutton P1 | 1970-1971 | Lotus 7 like car based on MG Midget mechanical parts. Aluminium body panels, glass fibre wings. |
| Dutton B Type | 1971-1974 | Triumph Herald based. Body mainly made from glass fibre. Ford engine optional. |
| Dutton B Plus | 1974-1977 | Rear axle now Ford Cortina but with coil springs. |
| Dutton Malaga | 1974-1977. | Front wings moulded in with body. |
| Dutton Malaga B+ | 1975-1977 | Malaga front and B+ rear. |
| Dutton Cantera | 1976-1977 | Coupé version of Malaga B+. |
| Dutton Phaeton Series 1 | 1977-1981 | Updated Malaga B+. |
| Dutton Phaeton Series 2 | 1981-1982 | Rear suspension modified to use Cortina springs. |
| Dutton Phaeton Series 3 | 1982-1986 | Modified chassis to use Ford Escort components. |
| Dutton Phaeton Series 4 | 1986-1989 | Modified body with integral bumpers. |
| Dutton B Plus Series 2 | 1989 | B+ with Phaeton body style. |
| Dutton Melos | 1982-1989 | Phaeton chassis with new body with more rounded styling. 2+2 seat configuration |
| Dutton Legerra | 1988-1989 | The first Dutton with opening doors. |
| Dutton Sierra Series 1 | 1980-1984 | Ford Escort based four seater. Estate car/off road styling. An early 2 wheel drive SUV. |
| Dutton Sierra Series 2 | 1984-1986 | Improved body with some double skinned panels. |
| Dutton Sierra Series 3 | 1986-1989 | New body but very similar in styling to Series 2. |
| Dutton Sierra Drop Head | 1983-1989 | No roof. Pick up version also made. |
| Dutton Rico | 1984-1989 | Ford Sierra based four seat saloon. |
| Dutton Rico Shuttle | 1986-1989 | Estate car version of the Rico. |
| Dutton Beneto | 1989 | "SUV" styled version of the Rico. |
