Singer Le Mans

Click Here for Full Screen Image - Click Here to Download Image

Coventry-based Singer were one of the big-league players in the early ‘30s. Their success was based on quality engineering sold at a reasonable price. They were tough, reliable and although entirely conventional, were definitely a cut above the equivalent Ford or Morris.

The company introduced a Sports model of their successful Nine in order to spice up their marketing, entering works prepared cars into the 1933 Coupe des Alpes where they finished 2nd in class and the Le Mans 24 hour race where one came an extremely creditable 13th overall – an amazing performance for a relative tiddler.

The factory soon introduced an updated ‘Le Mans’ two-seater model to celebrate the racing success. This had a hot cam and a large finned aluminium sump fitted to the 972cc ohc engine, along with a counter-balanced crank to better sustain high revs. Mated to this was a close-ratio gearbox which was fitted into a 'dropped' chassis. The Le Mans looked the part too with its faired scuttle, slab fuel tank and twin spare wheels. They went well, topping 70mph with ease.

This little charmer was delivered on 9th February 1934 to a Mr Spencer of Bolton through Henlys in Manchester. The green logbook shows a string of owners in the Sussex area in the 1970s, the vendor acquiring the car in 2012. It was not his first Le Mans by any means, and he quickly set about putting a few things in order – a job which inevitably took rather longer than anticipated.

One of his first tasks was to put the bulkhead back to original, an earlier restoration having left this area and a replacement bonnet's accuracy somewhat lacking. He was lucky enough for the work to coincide with a new batch of Singer club bonnets, so a correct one was purchased and professionally fitted and painted.

Further works included a steering box rebuild, halogen bulb conversion, new rear hub splines, rebuilt shock absorbers, a modern propshaft from Propshaft Services and four brand new wheels (plus tyres), plus two others fully rebuilt. Within the last couple of years, the vendor has also overhauled the braking system with new seals, and has replaced numerous fixings over the period with correct BSF items.

The car has been in regular service, although it became apparent that its (correct and original) engine needed attention. The unit was removed and sent to Singer engine specialist John Parker. It was stripped and fitted with a fully crack-tested crankshaft, new white metal bearings, JP pistons, a new timing chain and a new-type rear main seal. The clutch centre plate was also replaced along with the rear rubber engine mountings. The head had already been overhauled with a new camshaft, rocker shaft, resurfaced rockers and new valves, guides and springs. A correct inlet/exhaust manifold was sourced, along with two Solex FAI carburettors to replace the fragile Mazak originals.

The dynamo was sent to WOSP to have an alternator grafted into its internals and the Distributor Doctor overhauled the distributor and fitted an electric module. All the dials function properly thanks to SpeedyCables (including the clock which is unusual) and the interior is very smartly trimmed in antiqued leather and fresh carpets. To top it off, it has a new tonneau cover and recently covered side-screens and although there is no hood, the frame is included in the sale.

On the button and ready for immediate fun, it is not long back from the National Singer weekend and has also featured in Octane magazine.

A very large file of bills record the fortune that has been spent over the last five years, turning what was a slightly average car into one of the finest examples on the road.