Skunkworks
DESIGN, RAPID PROTOTYPING, TYPE APPROVAL & QUALITY CONTROL FOR VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS
With 60 years of continual vehicle production with over 25 distinct Dutton Models and 7+ prototypes designed and manufactured for Major World car companies including Poland (Polski Fiat FSO). Russia (AvtoGaz). Iran (Iranvan/Renault). India (Bajaj Tempo now Mahindra & Mahindra/Mercedes Benz) and Europe (VanClee/Citroen).
We approach with the same enthusiasm working on smaller projects for companies including in Guadeloupe. Nigeria and the UK.
Regardless of whether you are looking for limited or full blown involvement with rapid prototyping, design and development – on time and on budget – or even mass production as we did with the VanClee then why not have an “off the record” chat with Tim Dutton to discuss your possible requirements.
If required, vehicles can be supplied complying with UK Individual Vehicle Approval regulations (IVA). This includes UK registration number and VIN plates with correct DVLA V5C registration document. In addition we can work with co-operation from other Approved testing facilities – For example our seat belt anchorage tests (photo) are conducted using the Motor Industry Research Association (MIRA now HORIBA MIRA ) the World renowned testing centre.
As an aside……The term “Skunkworks” originated from Lockheed Martin‘s Skunk Works, an internal research and development group. Skunkworks was a slang name we “adopted” in the 1980’s when we started to number new projects that hadn’t already been allocated a production name, all projects started off with a DDO number (Dutton Drawing Office)
Registered Trade Mark:- DUTTON (Class 12) #UK00001150532
KEEPING SPECIALIST VEHICLES ON THE ROAD
If you have any make of kit car or amphib taking taking up space in your garage and it’s not going anywhere anytime soon, let us get it back on the road while the sun is still shining for you to use and enjoy or to sell on.
Our kit car and amphib repair and servicing is available for all makes of vehicles. Our facilities include:- Tubular steel chassis repairs (imperial and metric) GRP bodywork including monocoques, spraying, engine swaps, suspension/brake upgrades, re-wiring to IVA Type Approval spec, MOT, IVA preparation, component sourcing and general servicing.
Our fully equipped factory has everything you could possibly imagine required to make cars:- Tube manipulation (steel, stainless and aluminium), GRP laminating, TIG, MIG, Spot, Arc, Gas, 30 tonne press, sheet metal tooling, fly presses, guillotines, lathes and the usual……
We also offer a trailered collection and delivery service for vehicles requiring our attention (not as a “general” service).
Feel free to contact us to discuss your requirements.
———
60 YEARS OF VEHICLES
1967 to DDO 18 Dutton designed 18 different Dutton kit cars, photos/details can be seen on our History page.
———
DDO19
This was the last Dutton (1988) prior to selling off the manufacturing rights. Although a full size mock-up based on the well proven S4 Phaeton space frame was produced from the wall drawings (in background of photo) it was never finished and consequentially never went into production and was eventually deliberately destroyed in 1990.
One of the secrets over the last 60 years of our success is commonality of parts; note Legerra windscreen, Melos rear wing and S4 Phaeton space frame chassis and rollover bar/shroud.
———
THE LANGLEY BUGGY
1989 this was the first non-car development we designed and built, an electric golf buggy part funded by The Design Council thru the Funded Consultancy Scheme.
Tim Dutton attempting to sell one to Sir Denis Thatcher at the London Golf Show 1992. Also the last time anyone saw Tim in a suit…..
———
The Amphib Period
DDO20 Mariner (MK3 Escort, petrol and diesel. LHD and RHD)
DDO21 Commander (Samurai, SJ413, SJ419, petrol and diesel. LHD and RHD)
DDO22 Surf (Jimny, petrol and diesel. LHD and RHD)
DDO23 Reef (MK7 Fiesta, petrol. RHD)
———-
DDO24 (Now Phaeton 5)
In 2024 we searched for the worst, badly maintained, high mileage and well used Series 4 Phaeton and cut it up to closely examine the chassis for any distortion and cracks using Ardrox. Unsurprisingly we didn’t find any cracks and only very light surface corrosion and that’s on a multi-tubular space frame that had been built over 40 years ago.
———
DDO 25 (Now B PLUS 3)
From Phaeton 5 to B PLUS 3 in 4 months…… Anyone want to buy a couple of spare Phaeton 5 front wings in green?
Based on the ubiquitous Phaeton 5 multi tubular space frame. First Photo of pre-production prototype (May 08 2026).
———
Wind deflector + heater blank following on for DDO 24
Working on. Production Phaeton 5 with prototype front wind deflector (mainly for track cars) and heater air intake repositioned as it looked too “noisy” on earlier cars.