1912 Swift Open Two Seater

Lot details
Registration No: LM 7133
Chassis No: 8439
Mot Expiry: None

"The heyday of the Swift concern was really in the period before the First World War, when the variety and quantity of their production was comparable with practically any contemporary maker of light or medium-sized cars" ('The Complete Catalogue of British Cars', Culshaw & Horrobin).
One of several Coventry based bicycle manufacturers to embrace the internal combustion engine Swift had progressed from single-cylinder to multi-cylinder machinery by 1904. Having failed to perfect an ingenious 'double pinion' transmission system early on, the company took a somewhat conventional approach to automotive design thereafter adopting all-round leaf-sprung suspension and shaft drive etc in line with its peers. Renowned for their build quality and reliability, Swift cars rejoiced in the affectionate nickname of the 'The Little Timekeepers'.
Finished in blue with black leather upholstery, this particular example is variously described by the vendor as being in "fair" (wheels / tyres), "fair to good" (paintwork), "good" (chassis, bodywork), "working order" (1056cc twin-cylinder sidevalve engine, three-speed manual transmission) or "new" (interior trim) condition. Reportedly "purchased by the present owner at the A.W.F. Smith Motoring Museum sale in 1968", we are also informed that 'LM 7133' has been "restored but not used since". Consequently lacking a current MOT certificate, it is nevertheless said to be "running and driving". Riding on red-painted wooden artillery wheels, this intriguing Edwardian light car is offered for sale with V5C registration document and "comprehensive history".

PLEASE NOTE: We have not had this vehicle running.

PLEASE NOTE: A green logbook accompanying this lot suggests that it might be an 8.9hp model. However, the 1968 Sotheby's auction catalogue which is also on file lists the car as a 7hp model.