Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions - components

We are asked about many subjects in the Dutton Owners Club, and these pages are aimed to help you find some of the answers to the most commonly asked questions. All these FAQs are from our members and the DOC accepts no liability for the information following. These methods have been used by our members, but people who are unsure should consult a qualified specialist (eg: welder, engineer, mechanic) if they require further information.
If you can't find the information you need here, you may also post a general question on the online Q&A page.

Click on the links below to go direct to the relevant section.

What components are my car made of?

The MoT

Gearboxes, suspension and general mechanical stuff

Electrics and interiors

Wheels, tyres and hubs

Reclaiming a period car registration number

Dutton sports car components

If you're not sure what your Dutton is/could be made of, this page should give you an insight into the type of components likely to have been used. This list comprises of original specification parts. Note that during the life of the vehicle many of these could have been changed to other parts.
Not all of these parts are used in standard format and may well be modified. This is indicated by (M) in the table below along with a brief description of the modification.

	B Type, B Plus, Malaga, Phaeton S1 & S2	Phaeton S3 & S4, B Plus S2, Melos, Legerra
Front upright	Triumph Herald / Spitfire / Vitesse / GT6	Ford Escort MkI or MkII. (M) cut down in length with mounts for top ball joint. (Maxi)
Top wishbone	As above	Dutton (uses Triumph Herald etc. inner bushes and Maxi ball joint). Triumph Herald (option on late models with Triumph top ball joint) Dutton wishbone is tubular and Triumph is 'C' section
Bottom wishbone	As above	Escort MkI or MkII track control arm. (M) with mounts for spring damper unit, except for late models which had spring damper unit mounts on top wishbone.
Front springs / dampers	As above. (M) Cut to free length of 11 inches If replacing most people use 180 - 220lb springs depending on engine weight and car use. (Try Dampertech, Merlin, Demon Tweeks etc - contact details on the where can I get page).	Many variations used over production period. Basically early models used Hillman Imp front units, then later models used a wide range of units with different ratings. If replacing most people use 180 - 220lb springs depending on engine weight and car use. (Try Dampertech, Merlin, Demon Tweeks etc - contact details on the where can I get page).
Steering rack	As above	Escort MkI or II to suit upright. (Ball joints on MkI and II have different tapers and threads, MkI imperial and MKII metric.) More details in article on Drum to Disc Conversion on the members only page.
Rear axle	B Type -Triumph Herald / Spitfire / Vitesse complete with suspension. B Plus, Malaga - Ford Escort, Cortina MkI or II, Morris 1000.(M) with mounts for trailing arms and panhard rod Phaeton S1 - Ford Escort, Cortina MkI or II, Capri MkI, Corsair. (M) with mounts for trailing arms and panhard rod Phaeton S2 - Ford Cortina MkI or II complete with suspension.	Escort MkI or II
Trailing arms	Solid axle - 3 from Spitfire (radius arm)	Standard on Legerra, option on other models. 5 link (4 trailing arms + 1 panhard rod) with Dutton links using Triumph front wishbone bushes.
Panhard rod	Solid axle - Herald or Vitesse (radius arm)	As above
Rear spring / dampers	B Type - Herald / Spitfire / Vitesse B Plus, Malaga, Phaeton S1 - Hillman Imp front units. Some early B+ used Lotus 7 units Phaeton S2 - Cortina MkI or II	Escort MkI or MkII Springs - MkI and II are different widths, MkI - 50mm MkII - 60mm Dampers - pre 74 (MkI) with bolt type top end, must close to 10½" between bolt holes, as saloon type, or MkII van. Legerra ( and option on Phaeton S4 and Melos) - Dutton 5 link, spring / dampers as front.
Steering column	Triumph Herald / Spitfire / Vitesse. (M) lengthened	Escort MkI or MkII. (M) lengthened
Handbrake	Triumph hand brake lever, early Ford type with rod and cable on rear axle	Escort MkI or MkII. (M) shortened on some early models
Pedals	Brake and clutch B Type, B Plus, Malaga - Dutton pedal box to take Lucas Girling master cylinders. Phaeton S1 & 2 - Cortina MkI or II Accelerator Herald	Escort MkI Original Pinto powered Legerras used Escort MkII pedal box
Wiper motor system	Herald / Spitfire / Vitesse or for Phaeton S1 & 2 - Cortina MkI or II (M) mechanism shortened	Escort MkI or Mk11. (M) mechanism shortened
Heater	Mini	Escort MkI or Mk11
Fuel Tank	B Type, B Plus, Malaga - Dutton or Mini van. Phaeton S1 & 2 - Cortina MkI or II saloon	Escort MkI or MkII estate or van
Rear lights	Bedford CF	Phaeton S3 (most) - Bedford CF Phaeton S3 (late) & S4 - Rectangular units available from SVC - (contact details on the where can I get page) Melos - Trailer style (try SVC or Europa) Legerra - Early Ford Sierra

Dutton utility vehicle components

This list comprises of original specification parts. Note that during the life of the vehicle many of these could have been changed to other parts.

	Sierra	Beneto	Rico
Front suspension	Escort MkI or MkII complete	Escort MkII complete Option of Escort MkI complete	Escort MkI or MkII complete
Steering rack	As front suspension	As front suspension	As front suspension
Steering column	As front suspension	As front suspension	As front suspension
Rear axle	Escort MkI or MkII complete.	Escort MkII complete Option of Escort MkI complete	Escort MkI or MkII complete
Rear spring / dampers	As rear suspension	As rear suspension	As rear suspension
Handbrake	As rear suspension	As rear suspension	As rear suspension
Pedals	Escort MkI or MkII	Escort MkII Option of Escort MkI	Escort MkI or MkII
Windscreen	Escort MkI	Escort MkII	Escort MkI
Front doors	Escort MkI with bonded on GRP skin below window Drop head had either Dutton GRP moulding or part of soft top	Escort MkII	Escort MkI with bonded on GRP skin below window
Wiper motor system	Escort MkI or MkII	Escort MkII Option of Escort MkI	Escort MkI or MkII
Heater	Escort MkI	Escort MkI	Escort MkI
Fuel Tank	Escort MkI or MkII estate or van	Escort MkI or MkII estate or van	Escort MkI or MkII estate or van
Front lights	Series 1 and Series 2 - 7" round units Series 3 - Escort MkIII	7" round units	Originally - Delorean (small rectangular) Later - Escort MkIII (larger rectangular, sloping inside edge)
Rear lights	Series 1 and Series 2 - Bedford CF Series 3 - Escort MkIII van Drop head - Rectangular units available from SVC - (contact details on the where can I get page)	Rectangular units available from SVC - (contact details on the where can I get page)	Saloon - Escort MkIII ridged units Shuttle - Escort MkIII van