What ever happened to Dutton
Discussion
What ever became of the Dutton Phaeton?Such a classic in it's day.I was wondering what happened to the moulds?Would it be possible to create a new version with more up to date components.Does any one have any drawings or plans that I could have a look at?
It wouldn't take a huge amount of effort to reproduce one.I've been thinking about this for some time now,what does every one else think?Would it be worth it? Would people be interested?
MikeP
It wouldn't take a huge amount of effort to reproduce one.I've been thinking about this for some time now,what does every one else think?Would it be worth it? Would people be interested?
MikeP
I'm sure someone will be along to answer this in more detail, but if not Tim Duton is still around making amphibious vehicles(www.amphijeep.biz), there is also the Dutton Owners Club(www.duttonownersclub.co.uk).
The Phaeton still has quite a following from what I understand, so there could be some interest.
The Phaeton still has quite a following from what I understand, so there could be some interest.
I had a Dutton phaeton .. chassis P381 where are you now?
It later became the eagle p21 i think .. a kind of re-run of the S4 Phaeton from what i recall ..
the cheapest way into that kind of motoring, but for a reason .. they were dreadful cars in sports car terms, I had one for about 3 years and it went from 1600x flow to 3 litre essex in that time .. hooligan machine as long as you didn't expect too much from the chassis, which regularly broke from flexing.
A twin turbo rover V8 Phaeton can be had for about 2-2.5 k gbp which is bargain performance in anyone's book .. and in smaller S1/ 2 form are fairly good looking ..
My S3 had a combination of escort, triumph and hillman imp suspension which surprisingly enough didn't concern me at all!
Bargain hooligan performance weapon.
It later became the eagle p21 i think .. a kind of re-run of the S4 Phaeton from what i recall ..
the cheapest way into that kind of motoring, but for a reason .. they were dreadful cars in sports car terms, I had one for about 3 years and it went from 1600x flow to 3 litre essex in that time .. hooligan machine as long as you didn't expect too much from the chassis, which regularly broke from flexing.
A twin turbo rover V8 Phaeton can be had for about 2-2.5 k gbp which is bargain performance in anyone's book .. and in smaller S1/ 2 form are fairly good looking ..
My S3 had a combination of escort, triumph and hillman imp suspension which surprisingly enough didn't concern me at all!
Bargain hooligan performance weapon.
As for what happened to Dutton, I believe Tim Dutton did sell the Phaeton & B+ to Eagle, not sure about who the Melos or Sierra went to, but ultimately all the companies involved went bust/closed down and the remaining moulds went onto Pete Brown.
As for chassis jigs etc who knows, but it's a simple enough design to copy an existing Phaeton S4. As these used a mk2 Escort you'd probably be better off updating it to use a Sierra donor. If I was doing this I'd use the de dion rear end from GTS (as it can keep the escort axle dimensions and 5 link mountings but uses the sierra diff, etc) and for the front end a modified locost setup using the sierra uprights should work fine.
Hey presto brand new Duttons for relatively little financial outlay!
edited in an attempt to make this interesting!
>> Edited by peetbee on Tuesday 5th October 12:41
As for chassis jigs etc who knows, but it's a simple enough design to copy an existing Phaeton S4. As these used a mk2 Escort you'd probably be better off updating it to use a Sierra donor. If I was doing this I'd use the de dion rear end from GTS (as it can keep the escort axle dimensions and 5 link mountings but uses the sierra diff, etc) and for the front end a modified locost setup using the sierra uprights should work fine.
Hey presto brand new Duttons for relatively little financial outlay!
edited in an attempt to make this interesting!
>> Edited by peetbee on Tuesday 5th October 12:41
Interesting stuff,I am well conversant with the Sierra running gear as I have built many TVR's(profile)Would any one have some pictures of a Series 3 or 4 chassis for me to have a look at or some drawings?
Who are GTS?I assume they use Sierra components too.
Would seem to me if a chassis can be produced using whatever suitable donor parts,a totally new car could be made,albeit in small numbers.
As I understand,all the fibreglass components can be obtained along with the screen.So apart from sourcing the odd few bits,lights etc,it's about there.How about a fuel tank?What was that off or is it a custom build job.
I probably could do with a build manual.I think I have one years ago,don't know if I still have it now though.
Any one got one lying around or a photocopy?
I will do some more research.
Who are GTS?I assume they use Sierra components too.
Would seem to me if a chassis can be produced using whatever suitable donor parts,a totally new car could be made,albeit in small numbers.
As I understand,all the fibreglass components can be obtained along with the screen.So apart from sourcing the odd few bits,lights etc,it's about there.How about a fuel tank?What was that off or is it a custom build job.
I probably could do with a build manual.I think I have one years ago,don't know if I still have it now though.
Any one got one lying around or a photocopy?
I will do some more research.
Curses, another potential money making idea slips me by!
GTS can be found here And pics of the chassis, some here and I have some better ones on my PC at home which I can post if you're interested.
I even have a build manual, but they're not up to much. The fuel tank in the s3/s4 phaeton and melos were escort van tanks, so a suitable modern equivalent would be needed again. However as there is a recess in the boot floor a bespoke tank would fit in there nicely and increase boot space.
Hope this helps!
edited to make links work!
>> Edited by peetbee on Wednesday 6th October 07:23
GTS can be found here And pics of the chassis, some here and I have some better ones on my PC at home which I can post if you're interested.
I even have a build manual, but they're not up to much. The fuel tank in the s3/s4 phaeton and melos were escort van tanks, so a suitable modern equivalent would be needed again. However as there is a recess in the boot floor a bespoke tank would fit in there nicely and increase boot space.
Hope this helps!
edited to make links work!
>> Edited by peetbee on Wednesday 6th October 07:23
Well if your interested,I would be willing to chat to you.Two heads are better than one.I do a lot of this type of thing but all help and input is always welcome.
I run a small engineering company which makes parts for Smart Cars amongst other things,and also a security company.www.coverguard.ltd.uk.Have a look!
In the mean time would it be possible to photocopy the build manual?It would give me an idea of whats involved perhaps.Would be handy to get an original if poss to measure and draw.
Look forward to hearing from you.Perhaps you could email me direct,then I can give you my details etc
Cheers Mike P.
I run a small engineering company which makes parts for Smart Cars amongst other things,and also a security company.www.coverguard.ltd.uk.Have a look!
In the mean time would it be possible to photocopy the build manual?It would give me an idea of whats involved perhaps.Would be handy to get an original if poss to measure and draw.
Look forward to hearing from you.Perhaps you could email me direct,then I can give you my details etc
Cheers Mike P.
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