Skunkworks
Prototypes developed with a very large degree of autonomy, all under the forensic eye of Tim Dutton….. The term originated from Lockheed Martin‘s Skunk Works, a highly classified, internal research and development group.
Skunkworks was a slang name we used from the late 80’s to number new projects that hadn’t already been allocated a production name, all projects started off with DDO number (Dutton Drawing Office)
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1967 to DDO 18 Dutton designed 18 different Dutton kit cars, mostly undocumented.
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DDO19
This was the very last Dutton (1988) prior to selling off the manufacturing rights, we still own (since 1982) the registered Trade Mark DUTTON. 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 59 years of our success is commonality of parts; note Leggera windscreen, Melos rear wing and S4 Phaeton rollover bar/shroud.
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1989 to 1993 we designed and built many cars for companies in Russia, Iran, Guadeloupe, Nigeria, India, UK and Europe. But with a number of NDA’s issued in perpetuity still flying around there are no photo’s.
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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 very last time anyone saw Tim in a suit…..
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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)
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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.
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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).
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Wind deflector + heater blank following on from 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”.
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DDO 26 like no car you have ever seen from the Dutton stable based on the 5 chassis Q3 2026