Coventry-based bicycle maker Swift turned to motor manufacture at the turn of the 19th Century with a single-cylinder voiturette powered by an MMC engine, progressing to a 10hp twin-cylinder light car, entirely of its own design, in 1904.

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 up-dated 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.

This attractive and practical four seat Brighton-eligible car was discovered in Ireland circa 1960 and brought to England where its new own...