c.1903 Swift 6hp Three-Seater | Bonhams | 30 Oct 2026

Offered from the 'Somerset Hoard', barn stored since circa 1939

• Coachwork by Hollick & Pratt Co Ltd
• Registration no. FX 7944
• Chassis no. 65 (stamped LXV)
• Engine no. 12075

• De Dion Bouton engine

• Original British Motor Traction Co licence plate

• Detachable groom seat to rear

• Interesting design of rear transaxle

• Starting handle at rear

Hidden away from public view for more than eight decades, the Swift 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.

The Swift motor car had its origins in the Coventry Sewing Machine Company, which was formed by James Starley in 1859. In 1896 the Swift Cycle Company was formed, and in 1898 the firm turned to motor manufacture 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, by which time the firm had become The Swift Motor Company.

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 updated 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 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.

The first reference to this car's design appeared in 1902 but several revisions were made into 1903 including adding reverse gear; suspending the main frame above the rear axle on fully elliptic springs; fitting tubular distance rods between the rear axle and tubular chassis frame; and adopting two sets of pedals to control the rear brakes. Interestingly, the 6hp De Dion engine is started from the rear, going through the rear axle casing where the transmission gears are housed - a most interesting design of early 'transaxle'.

The original British Motor Traction Co licence plate number '1837' is mounted on the back of the engine, while car number 'LXV' ('65') is stamped on the top surface of the front seat rail. The bodywork is by Hollick & Pratt Co Ltd of Coventry, with doors added at the front.

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.