Lot 519: 1904 Swift 7hp Four Seater

Like many of its peer group, Midlands-based manufacturers, Swift of Coventry Ltd adapted skills gained in the manufacture of bicycles, tricycles and quadricycles to motor car production. Their earliest light car employed a locally built MMC engine and all early cars were powered by single cylinder units from various manufacturers until 1904 when a twin cylinder 10hp car was added to the range.

This attractive and practical four seat Brighton-eligible car was discovered in Ireland c.1960 and brought to England. Its new owner was Lt. Col. J F Gresham of Worcestershire, a V.C.C. stalwart who campaigned the car actively, taking part in five London to Brighton Veteran Car Runs and also rallying with the Swift in Holland. Remarkably the car was driven from its Worcestershire home to participate in all of these events. Upon acquisition of the family 1901 De Dion Bouton, bought new by his father, Gresham parted with the Swift to well known Yorkshire collector, the late Peter Black, in whose family ownership the car has since remained. Peter Black was to drive this car on the 1967 London to Brighton Veteran Car Run and on many subsequent occasions. The performance of the two seater car was such that a further two seats in period style were added in more recent years, enabling this car to carry four people to Brighton.

This rare, British-built, single cylinder-engined veteran is equipped with Perfecta brass acetylene headlamps, Lucas oil side lamps, an Oldfield Dependence rear lamp and a brass bulb horn. It enjoys the added advantage of a Stepney wheel and the later Zenith carburettor now fitted, combined with a modern trembler coil, ensure optimum performance. The coachwork is attractively liveried in dark green with black wings and body mouldings and upholstered in deep-buttoned black leather. The single-cylinder, vertical, forward-mounted engine drives through a three speed gearbox with reverse, with final drive by shaft.

This attractive veteran, from forty year ownership and with a good Brighton record, is V.C.C. dated, MoT tested and licenced to October 2008. It comes with a Swansea V5C registration document.

The successful purchaser of this car will have ample opportunity to familiarise himself with this interesting motor car prior to participation in the 2008 LBVCR.