Dutton B Type

I bought a Dutton B, thinking it was a poor man's Caterham. So not the case. The panels were shoddy, the chassis didn't feel anything like as rigid and going over the mild speed bumps at the old Severn Bridge, the rear wheel arch cracked right through! I know some added extra stiffening into the chassis. Maybe the panels could be improved with a lot of work but Duttons were pretty notorious at the time for being of low quality. The Phaeton probably improved the bonnet molding quality but was an aesthetically horrendous backstep.

Airflow through the cockpit was also hugely different to the seven. The Caterham was really surprisingly comfortable, but not so the Dutton. It was pretty miserable in all but the finest weather.

The only thing that was truly excellent was that unlike the seven the side screens and soft top could be stowed in the boot - (and the very fact it had a usable boot) - unlike the seven where if you risked the weather and took all that off - they were back home in the garage if it then rained!

As to styling it is very subjective but I liked it and thought the tail inspired. The car looked great from behind if overly boxy and crude from the front.

Great fun for way under Caterham/Westfield money. Best looking of the Dutton bodywork, especially the rear wheel arch area.