Dutton a Brief History

And 2024 announcement

BRIEF HISTORY
Dutton Cars founded by Tim Dutton-Woolley were based in Worthing, Sussex, England and manufactured kit cars between 1970 and 1989.

In terms of number of kits produced it was the largest kit car manufacturer in the world at that time and produced 8,000 kits.

Initially a series of cars named P1 were manufactured from a small workshop and in October 1971 the B-Type appeared with a more or less standard specification based on Triumph Herald components.
With the increase in demand the production soon moved to a far larger factory in Tangmere, Chichester.

Most Dutton’s depended on a ladder frame chassis built from steel profiles which held the various parts taken from the donor car.
Originally using Triumph Herald parts the later Dutton kits also used Ford Escort Mk 1 or Mk 2 donor components.

The B Type eventually evolved into the Dutton Phaeton. Later versions of the Phaeton were based on Ford Escort components and were produced until 1989.
These were also available as fully built-up cars with a 1.6-litre Ford Crossflow engine.

DUTTON SIERRA
In 1979 Dutton launched the Dutton Sierra an Escort based estate car with off-road looks. Three years later the Ford Motor Company decided to use the Sierra name on their Cortina/Taunus replacement and served Dutton with a legal writ demanding that they stop using the Sierra name.

At a case in the High Court in London Dutton famously won the right to continue using the Sierra name on kit cars as the judge ruled that they were a separate category from assembled cars.
The case was often described as a gritty “David and Goliath” battle and provided Dutton with some welcome publicity.

The Sierra was Dutton's best seller with production reaching a peak of 22 cars a week. A further move to larger premises back in Worthing was made in 1982 with glass fibre body making at a separate works in Lancing.

On the usual rear wheel drive Escort underpinnings Dutton placed the body of the new Rico. It made its debut in October 1984 at the Birmingham Motor Show.
It used the mechanical parts and doors from a two door Escort but had a Dutton developed glass fibre body over a steel tubular frame.

By 1984 some 80 people were employed spread over four factories with a large showroom in Worthing and production topped 1,000 a year.

ENGINE AND DRIVETRAIN OPTIONS
Not everyone went with the standard options from the donor.
In this case a 434ci V8 Small Block Chevy running Nos in a Dutton Phaeteon.

(Video Credits to Shift Light TV)

It has since been fitted with a parachute as running into 8’s !!!

HACKER MAROC S2

In 1989 all the previous designs were sold and new model had been developed called the Maroc. The Maroc was a heavily modified Ford Fiesta donor with a convertible body. It was available as a factory built car and from 1993 kit versions were also an option.
The design was sold on to Novus of Bolney, Sussex and production continued until 2006.

After leaving the Kit Car industry Tim Dutton operated as a consultant but returned in 1995 with the Dutton Mariner and Dutton Commander.
These were amphibious cars based on the Ford Fiesta and Suzuki Samurai.
In 2005 the Dutton Surf was introduced based on the Suzuki Jimny.

WORLD RECORD

Tim Dutton and Dutton Cars still hold a World Record after having crossed the English Channel with two Duttons simultaneously in 2006.

In 1995 Tim was commissioned by Lucky Strike (BAT) for GP driver Olivier Panis to make a spectacular entrance where he piloted his Dutton 5 miles along the coast from Beaulieu Sur Mer into Monaco Harbour for the Grand Prix with BAT's promotion in full swing (so much more noticeable than arriving in a run of the mill gin palace or helicopter) Photo of wrapped Dutton with Tim and Olivier (driving) with caption "wet weather set up" on hull

EARLY DUTTON CARS
Early Dutton kits are now hard to obtain and highly sought after. Most Dutton’s have already been assembled and are only available as second-hand cars, usually in need of some restoration.
After selling his amphibious cars business Tim has recently been buying and restoring cars including Phaeton S4s, one of the biggest selling models.

CLUB SCENE
With the sheer volume of kits that were produced the Dutton Owners Groups are very active an attend all major Kit Car Shows. The Dutton Marque has a loyal following Worldwide.

CLUB FACEBOOK LINKS :
Dutton Owners Club International

Dutton Owners Kit Cars

2024 ANNOUNCEMENT
In July 2024 Tim announced that he is returning to manufacturing kitcars again, his first since 1989.

DUTTON WEBSITE LINK :
Dutton Website

PHAETON SERIES 5
The new car will be called Phaeton Series 5 utilising the Mazda MX-5 Mk3 as the single donor. The first demo car will be based around an MX-5 Sport 2-litre with a six-speed gearbox and limited-slip differential.

Compared to the S4, the new S5 will be 4 inches wider and have 6 inches extra legroom and will also accommodate the MX-5’s sports seats from the donor.

Tim was also adamant that to keep build costs down the Phaeton S5 had to be a true single donor vehicle just like his amphibious Reef and Surf models were.

With 8,000 kits being previously manufactured the new Phaeton series 5 car’s VIN number will end in ‘…8001’ which as Tim says: “All rather apt given that is where I left off”

SUBSCRIPTIONS :
Both TKC and CKC can ship hard copies Worldwide and digital formats are also available.

Links :
Complete Kit Car Magazine

Total Kit Car Magazine

BUILDERS GROUP:
Complete Kit Car - Builders Break Room


INSURANCE :
Howden Insurance - Thatcham Branch