Donnet / Donnet-Zédel

France, 1924 – 1934

SA des Automobiles Donnet, Nanterre, Seine; Neuilly, Seine, Pontarlier, Doubs.

After Zédel and Vinot et Deguingand ceased production, Donnet, a new company constituted from them in 1924, offered two new cars called Donnet-Zédel. A light car was made, the 7CV Donnet-Zedel Type G, which had a side-valve 4-cylinder engine of 1100cc and (unusual for so small a vehicle) a 4-speed gearbox. It was a solidly-built machine, and a Donnet-Zedel sports model was listed. There was, in addition, a medium-sized four of about 2¼-litres. From 1926, the Donnet-Zedel firm came to concentrate upon a 2½-litre six, also with side valves, which proved a popular car. Another, smaller six with 1.3-litres (later 1.8-litre) Sainturat-designed engine was also offered by Donnet-Zedel. In the 1932 range however, was a new small Donnet-Zedel car in the shape of a 750cc 2-stroke. This, a violet design, had been sold as the Dequingand until 1930. A fwd 2-litre 6-cylinder Donnet-Zedel, shown at the 1931 Paris Salon came to nothing. With the demise of Donnet, Simca took over the Donnet-Zedel factory.

Source: Georgano, encyclopedia of motorcar; TRN

The information is written with the greatest of care. However, if you have any suggested amendments please contact us at office@prewarcar.com

Swift

GB, 1900 – 1931

(1) Swift Motor Co Ltd, Coventry, Warwickshire, 1900 – 1919

(2) Swift of Coventry Ltd, Coventry, Warwickshire, 1919 – 1931

Swift progressed from sewing-machines through bicycles, motor tricycles and quadricycles to cars. Their first Swift car was a voiturette with a tubular chassis, powered by an MMC single-cylinder engine of De Dion type, but with an original transmission system. There was direct drive on both the 2-forward speeds of the Swift car, provided by two rings of teeth on the crown wheel and two pinions. The design of the Swift car was unreliable, for the rear axle was unsprung and attached to a flexible chassis. This was soon dropped on the Swift car in favour of normal transmission, and the axle was sprung from 1903. These single-cylinder Swift cars, with various makers’ engines installed, were the only Swift car offerings until 1904, when an excellent Swift-made twin of 10hp was added. Bigger 3- and 4-cylinder Swift cars were made at the time, and in 1909 a short-lived single-cylinder 7hp Swift car, also sold by Austin was added, but most sales came from the 2-cylinder light Swift car. In 1912 this Swift car was replaced by a 7hp 2-cylinder cyclecar with shaft drive, made by the Swift Cycle Co Ltd. For 1914 the Swift Light Car, which Swift car was virtually the cyclecar with a pressed steel, in place of tubular, chassis, was offered by the Swift Motor Co Ltd. The Cycle Co made no further Swift cars, and the formation of Swift of Coventry in 1919 merged the two companies. An 1.100cc 4-cylinder Swift Ten replaced the 2-cylinder car in 1914. This Ten Swift car was continued after World War 1, with a new 2-litre Swift Twelve beside it. The latter Swift car had 4 forward speeds but was otherwise similar. After this, only 4-cylinder Swift cars were made, irrespective of current fashions. These Swift cars were immensely strong and simple, inefficient in terms of power output but not utility. The Swift Ten was redesigned on more modern lines in 1923. A slightly smaller engine with detachable head and coil ignition was made in unit on the Swift car with a 3-speed gearbox, though the model Swift car reverted to a magneto in 1925. As the 12/35hp Swift car, the Swift Twelve was brought up-to-date with the same features, becoming the 14/40hp Swift car in 1926. In the same year the Ten’s engine was enlarged to 1.200cc. Wire wheels were optional on Swift cars from 1927, and 4-speed gearboxes came in 1929. The 1930 Ten Swift car had a narrow ‘ribbon’ radiator shell, and was available with Swallow 2-door saloon coachwork as well as fabric saloon and tourer styles. This Swift car was supplemented in 1931 by the 8hp Cadet 2-door saloon which in its cheapest form the Swift car cost only £149. Swift cars could not compete with the mass-producers, however, and the Swift car make died shortly after.

CDN, 1911

Swift Motor Car Company of Canada Limited, Chatham, Ont.

One prototype Swift car, possibly based on the US Anhut, was produced by this Swift car firm of marine-engine builders.

Source: Georgano, encyclopedia of motorcar; TRN, HD

The information is written with the greatest of care. However, if you have any suggested amendments please contact us at office@prewarcar.com