‘Kuklos’, the motoring correspondent of the Daily News, writing in 1911 of the single cylinder 7hp Swift, said “The Swift Motor Co. Ltd. can honestly claim, I believe, to have been the pioneers in this country of the small car movement” and went on to add, “Their 7hp two seater is a beautiful example of the best work of the modern locomotive engineer, and there are few such clean and thoughtful specimens of his work as the power unit of this muscular motorkin”.
The single cylinder 7hp car was replaced for the 1912 Season by another muscular motorkin, the twin cylinder Swift Cyclecar, which, exploiting the burgeoning fashion for cyclecars at that time, was exhibited at the Cycle and Motor Cycle Show at Olympia that year. Powered by a 972cc engine, the new Swift had thermo-syphon cooling, magneto ignition, leather-to-metal clutch, three forward speeds and reverse and a live rear axle.
This car was first registered in Rutland in 1913 and has been known to the Veteran Car Club since 1959 when Dating Certificate no.762 was issued. It was acquired by the Max Lips Collection in 1969 and has now been museum displayed for some thirty-five years. This attractive diminutive Edwardian, eligible for the highly acclaimed Veteran Car Club ‘Singles and Twins’ events is presented in green livery with black wings and wire wheels. The brown leather upholstery and hood will benefit from attention but the car is otherwise attractively equipped with brass acetylene headlamps, double twist bulb horn, folding brass windscreen and the minimal dash is furnished with a Stewart speedometer. Rally plaques confirm active activity in V.C.C. events during the period 1958-1961 and the tax disc suggests that this car was last used in the U.K. in 1968.
It comes with a V.C.C. Dating Plate and Certificate no.762 and documentation with the car should assist in obtaining either its original registration number or a suitable period replacement. Careful recommissioning is advised following a period of museum storage.