VETERAN CAR GUIDE
Swift Formed in 1896 from pioneering cycle company the Coventry Machinists Co . Ltd ., which had its roots in sewing-machine production from 1859 and entered bicycle production in late 1868 . The company was one of the largest bicycle manufacturers through the 1870s and 1880s . It was also a pioneer in the motor trade , introducing a De Dion-Bouton-type tricycle to its range in 1898 , but formed a separate company – The Swift Motor Co . – in 1902 . Swift bicycles had a reputation for quality although this market gradually declined through the Edwardian period . In 1918 , the two companies were merged into a single company – Swift of Coventry Ltd . – which ceased trading in 1932 . The 1904 example on this Run is a fine original example of the marque .
MOTORCYCLES
Minerva Minerva were the company that started the motorcycle movement . Initially , they provided ‘ Motor Sets ’ – engine , tanks , coil and battery , etc – to convert a roadster bicycle into a motorcycle . Many cycle factories such as Excelsior and Quadrant used them as their way into motorcycling , and later they made and sold complete machines .
Clément This was Clément ’ s introduction to motorcycling : a ‘ Motor Set ’ comprising an engine , petrol tank , belt rim , and coil , etc – everything needed to convert your roadster bicycle into a motorcycle . They were sold all over Europe and also in Australia and USA , and were imported into England by Charles Garrard . With the assistance of James Norton to make the frames , he sold motorcycles with these engines as Clément- Garrard or Norton Energettes ( the first Nortons ). These Clément engines were only in production for a couple of years , but helped to get the motorcycling movement started .
Dreadnought Built by Harold Karslake in late 1903 and early 1904 , this machine acquired the nickname ‘ Dreadnought ’ during his time with it . Based around what Karslake described as a ‘ stout loop frame ’, it used a singlecylinder engine from a BAT motorcycle – which were made in London – and Karslake enjoyed great success in trials . Along the way , he developed it into twin-gear form after finding that it struggled on steep hills with only a single speed . The Dreadnought is now owned by the Vintage Motor Cycle Club .
Cycles line up at the start of the 2019 Run .
50 The London to Brighton Veteran Car Run