Dutton (United Kingdom)

Dutton was a British manufacturer known for its prolific production of kit cars, with an estimated total of around 8,000 kits produced during its operational years. Founded by Tim Dutton-Woolley in the late 1960s, the company emerged from his realization that there was a lack of affordable kit cars in the market. The first model, the Mantis, was a gull-wing coupé based on a modified Lotus Eleven. Dutton's initial foray into kit cars began with the P1 in 1970, which featured a simple spaceframe design compatible with BMC running gear, although early sales were slow.

The company gained momentum with subsequent models, including the B-series and the Malaga, which incorporated Triumph Spitfire front suspension and offered a variety of engine options. By 1977, Dutton had produced its 500th kit, and production doubled within the next two years. In 1979, Dutton introduced the Sierra, which was notable for being one of the first kit cars that did not fit the traditional sports car mold. Following a legal dispute with Ford over the name, the vehicle was rebranded as the Dutton Sierra Kit, which became one of the best-selling kit cars of its time.

Throughout the 1980s, Dutton continued to innovate, sourcing all components from Ford. The Phaeton, a further development of the P1, was launched in 1980, followed by the Melos in 1981, which was designed as a more comfortable 2+2 sports car. The company also introduced the Leggera in 1986, a modern interpretation of the Austin-Healey 'Frogeye' Sprite. Dutton's range expanded to include the Beneto, an estate inspired by the Range Rover, and the Hacker, a variant of the Beneto.

Despite the popularity and competitive pricing of its kits, the company faced challenges as the kit car market began to decline in the late 1980s. In 1989, Dutton sold its designs to other companies, and many of these projects eventually folded. The company later rebranded as Hacker Engineering, introducing the Maroc, a convertible 2+2 based on the Ford Fiesta III, in the early 1990s. This model was followed by the Dutton Mariner in 1995, an amphibious vehicle that combined automotive and marine capabilities. The Mariner featured a waterjet propulsion system and was designed for both land and water use, marking a unique chapter in Dutton's history.