Offered from the 'Somerset Hoard', barn stored since circa 1939
c.1902 Progress 9hp Two-Seat Open Tourer

•Short-lived Coventry make
•De Dion Bouton engine
•Offered for restoration

Hidden away from public view for more than eight decades, the Progress is one of seven cars coined the 'Somerset Hoard'. An exceptional discovery of seven mainly veteran cars that have remained together in the same Spiers family ownership, untouched and unused since the outbreak of The Second World War.

"By 1902, the (Progress) company had produced some 750 Voiturettes, motorcycles, quadricycles and tricycles, and from 1899 to 1903, had produced some 500 cars. This was only an output of two or three a week, yet for quite a small concern it amounted to an impressive and steady amount of sales." - Damien Kimberley, Coventry's Motorcycle Heritage.

The Progress Cycle Company of the Royal Progress Works, Bishopsgate Green, Foleshill Road, Coventry (later to become the Progress Motor Company) was founded by Enoch West and William Harris in 1891. Starting with motorcycles, the company diversified into motor cars, announcing its first product, called 'Progress', in 1899. According to the Beaulieu Encyclopedia: "It had a 2½hp De Dion-Bouton engine mounted under the seat at the rear of a tubular frame with single-chain final drive. It was 2-seater but later Progress cars, with 4½hp De Dion or MMC engines, had 4-seater vis-a-vis bodies and looked very like the contemporary De Dion."

From 1902 a selection of models was on offer including a twin-cylinder 8hp car with Daimler-type engine; a similar car with 6hp Simms engine; and a double-seat rear-engined voiturette with 6hp De Dion Bouton engine. Bodies were by Mulliner. By March 1902 a forward-engine 8hp car with Champion friction clutch, two gears and reverse transmission had been introduced. Towards the end of 1902 the speed was controlled by side levers. There was also a new 9hp De Dion Bouton engine with internal cone clutch, and steering column with three levers. This car has all of those features. Despite seemingly healthy sales, the Progress company was in liquidation by 1903. The successor West and West-Aster cars were produced for a few more years before meeting a similar fate in 1908.

No registration is known nor have any maker's plates been found on this car. The number '1 78 1' is stamped on the front seat sill board, but it is not known if this is '1781' or '78' in brackets. Notable features include the following: 'Progress' name on hub caps; three side levers; De Dion Bouton engine; and fully elliptic front springs.

Offered from long-term dry storage, this car has not been used for some considerable time and will require extensive restoration before returning to the road. Its mechanical condition is not known and thus the car is sold strictly as viewed. There are no documents with this Lot.