Phæton 5
A BRIEF HISTORY OF TIM
For further information click 'History'.
Photos will be added as the project moves forward.
RECENT PUBLICATION:- See Complete Kit Car magazine October for write-up on Dutton.
RECENT PUBLICATION:-See TKC magazine Sept/Oct for 6 page write-up on what's happening at the factory including exclusive photos of the 5 as it progresses.
.................................................................................................
The design brief was simple, to produce a 21st century version of the best selling "Super-Kit Car" in the World in the 1980's - the Dutton Phæton, 1000's upon 1000's were made.
Once the parameters had been clearly set - with particular emphasis on retaining the classic looks and proportions of the original - we turned our attention to the donor car. The early open 2 seater Duttons were based on everything from Sprite/Midget/Morris Minor, thru to Herald/Spitfire/Vitesse, countless Escorts and Cortinas et al. Clearly something much more modern (and less expensive/rare) was required . We had seriously considered the earlier MX5 Mk1 and Mk2, cheap but prone to rust and being 20 plus years old very likely to require more expense in repairing or replacing parts to bring up to an acceptable IVA standard. And the Elephant in the room - who would want to start their future pride and joy based on a donor car manufactured last century?
We chose the Mazda MX5 Mk3 (NC) 2005 to 2015 and decided that 2005 was more than early enough bearing in mind the sophisticated electronics now embedded in all modern cars (and now somewhat stretching the imagination - Moore's Law.....)
Specifications for prototype:
* Note sump and exhaust system are not lower than chassis
| Built 1967 using all Sunbeam Alpine components 1725cc (93bhp), registered 1968, the Mantis. |
 |
 |
| 2 of only 5 surviving photos. | All Aluminium body. | |
| 1972 B Type. | ||
 |
 |
|
| J.Tighe wondering if he made the right
choice, standing outside our WW11 Nissen hut at RAF Tangmere. |
2025, some 53 years later, still driving
his B Type (if his son isn't borrowing it). |
|
| Early 80's Phæton S3. |
 |
 |
| Mid 80's. |
 |
 |
| Late 80's Phæton S4. |
 |
 |
| Duttons in Competition. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
For further information click 'History'.
Photos will be added as the project moves forward.
RECENT PUBLICATION:- See Complete Kit Car magazine October for write-up on Dutton.
RECENT PUBLICATION:-See TKC magazine Sept/Oct for 6 page write-up on what's happening at the factory including exclusive photos of the 5 as it progresses.
.................................................................................................
The design brief was simple, to produce a 21st century version of the best selling "Super-Kit Car" in the World in the 1980's - the Dutton Phæton, 1000's upon 1000's were made.
Once the parameters had been clearly set - with particular emphasis on retaining the classic looks and proportions of the original - we turned our attention to the donor car. The early open 2 seater Duttons were based on everything from Sprite/Midget/Morris Minor, thru to Herald/Spitfire/Vitesse, countless Escorts and Cortinas et al. Clearly something much more modern (and less expensive/rare) was required . We had seriously considered the earlier MX5 Mk1 and Mk2, cheap but prone to rust and being 20 plus years old very likely to require more expense in repairing or replacing parts to bring up to an acceptable IVA standard. And the Elephant in the room - who would want to start their future pride and joy based on a donor car manufactured last century?
We chose the Mazda MX5 Mk3 (NC) 2005 to 2015 and decided that 2005 was more than early enough bearing in mind the sophisticated electronics now embedded in all modern cars (and now somewhat stretching the imagination - Moore's Law.....)
 |
 |
 |
| Background showing one of half a dozen dashboard mock-ups to check position of switches/heater vents/instruments etc. | Master buck ready for production moulds. |
Specifications for prototype:
| inch | mm | |
| Overall Length | 142 | 3,606 |
| Overall Width | 68 | 1,727 |
| Ground Clearance under chassis | 4(F) 5(R) | 100(F) 127(R) |
| Ground Clearance under engine * | 4 | 100 |
| Track | 57 | 1,447 |
| Wheel base | 86 | 2,184 | Weight | 1,390(lb) | 629(kg) |
| SPECIFICATIONS (typical, depending on MX5 donor) | |
|---|---|
|
Left or Right hand drive. 5 or 6 speed gearbox. 1800cc or 2000cc 4 cyl engine. Limited slip diff. Bilstein dampers. Stainless steel side exhaust system. Power steering (can be immobilised if preferred). Adjustable steering column. Fully reclining black leather front seats with head rests. Heated seats. 12V 120W power socket. Dash glove box. 3 rear storage boxes, 1 lockable. Interior lamp. 11 gallon/50L fuel tank. Diagonally split ABS dual brake system, servo, disc front and rear. Locking/immobiliser. Radio/CD player. |
7J x 17" Aluminium 10 spoke wheels with low profile 205/45/R17 tyres. 1 internal dipping mirror. 2 door mirrors. Heater, variable speed with 2 dash vents and windscreen de-mister. Halogen headlamps, Pair fog lamps, LED rear lamps inc fog and reversing, LED front and side indicators, hazard warning. 3rd brake light. Speedo, rev counter, fuel gauge, water temp, oil temp. Wiper 2 speed + Mist + Int. Clock. |
| What you get in the Phæton 5 kit: | |
|---|---|
|
Fully assembled:- Body tub in your colour + all internal flooring in black bonded monocoque unit BOLTED to:- Complete finished steel space frame, painted. Locking/hinged bonnet. Locking/hinged boot lid. Loose:- Front diff mounting Rear gearbox mounting Windscreen with interior mirror plinth and aluminium surround. Black dashboard with all holes precision cut. Whole set of cupro nickel brake pipes. Whole set copper fuel pipes. Complete stainless steel exhaust system. 2 front/2 rear suspension coil springs. Extended handbrake rod. Steel roll bar. GRP black roll bar surround. Pair wiper arms/blades. Battery master switch and cables. Battery clamp. Full set of decals - 2 off DUTTON PHÆTON 5 (sides), 4 off DUTTON hub cap. Light pack:- pair 7 inch headlamps + side, pair LED front indicators + LED repeaters, pair combined LED rear - stop/side/reverse/fog/indicator, Front/Rear lighting wiring diagrams. GRP heater box. Fasteners etc pack:- Tetrosyl Mirror fix, to permanently attach interior mirror plinth to windscreen. Front/Rear suspension bolts. Front diff bolts. Gearbox bolts. TBA...... |
|
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||
