In single family ownership since 1931
1904 Swift 7hp Two-Seater

Footnotes

Coventry-based bicycle maker Swift turned to motor manufacture at the turn of the century with a single-cylinder voiturette powered by a De Dion-style MMC engine, progressing to a 10hp twin-cylinder light car, entirely of its own design, in 1904. Both larger and smaller models were made at this time using a variety of engine types but the 10hp twin was Swift's most popular offering. The twin was replaced by an 1,100cc four-cylinder 10hp model in 1914, and this was revived after WWI and periodically improved and up-dated throughout the 1920s. Swift continued to concentrate on the manufacture of small family cars, and as the firm made almost all its own parts these were invariably of higher-than-average quality. Sadly, this policy did not enable it to compete with its mass-producing rivals and the firm struggled on until finally it was forced to close in 1931. According to the Swift Register, only a little over 200 Swift motor cars of all types are known to survive worldwide, mostly in the UK but spread as far as South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.

This early single-cylinder Swift was purchased by the vendor's grandfather in 1931 from a farmer in Eversley, Berkshire. Since then, the car has completed no fewer than 57 London-Brighton Runs plus numerous other events and rallies over the years. It has only failed to finish on four occasions, and in 1968 successfully completed the Run despite having tailgated another vehicle following a brake failure. The Swift was professionally repaired. Earlier this year the car successfully completed the Ellis Journey celebrating the first recorded motorised carriage journey in the UK.

'H 51' comes with various trophies, pendants, badges and other memorabilia accumulated over the last 90 years together with a VCC dating certificate and three journals dating from the present day back to the 1930s, including photographs. Also included in the sale is a (copy) maintenance manual; spare trembler assembly; spare inlet valve and housing; spare exhaust valve, spring, cotter and retainer; and numerous other parts and spanners. The Swift also comes with a Bantam Smart two-wheeled trailer with customised enclosing wooden top, which features a hand winch and spare wheel and has been designed for storage in a domestic garage (buyer to collect).

This Lot is available to view at Classic Car Storage near Petersfield, Hampshire (by appointment with the Car Department only) from Monday 24th October to Wednesday 2nd November. It will then be available to view at Bonhams, 101 New Bond Street on Friday 4th November from 10am.