Lot Ended
Description
1934 Singer Nine Sports
Fully restored over
the last few years including rebuilt engine and many new parts; very smart
example of this sporting four-seater
From the late
1920s to the mid ‘30s the Singer Car Company made a prolific range of machines
and by 1928 had become the third largest car manufacturer in
England.
What really
set Singer apart was their success in the trials and reliability events of the
day, their sports models being thinly disguised competition vehicles that could
be driven on the road during the week, but with minimal preparation could also
be raced at the weekend. Introduced in 1932, the Nine Sports was typical of the
breed and quickly established a formidable reputation on sporting events both at
home and abroad.
It was fitted
with the same jewel-like 972cc overhead cam engine as the Nine and the Junior,
but with various performance tweaks including twin SU carburettors that raised
power to around 35bhp and gave it a top speed of some 70mph. The close-ratio
gearbox (with optional ‘Perm-Mesh’ clutchless operation) made it especially
suited to trials work where maximum speed was not as important as power and
acceleration.
Suspension was
by half elliptic springs all round with adjustable André Hartford shock
absorbers, while stopping power came courtesy of Lockheed 10-inch hydraulic
brakes front and rear. From 1933 a four-seat version was available, styled by
Eric Neale, which had a louvred bonnet and scuttle, cutaway doors,
Rudge-Whitworth knock-off wire wheels, sprung steering wheel and Jaeger
instruments.
First
registered in London in July 1934, this four-seater Sports was acquired by the
last-but-one owner in a dismantled state in 2005. He set about a full
restoration which included fitting new wings front and rear, new brakes and
suspension, a new windscreen, new tyres and a full interior retrim in dark red
hide. The radiator was also reconditioned and a new core
fitted.
When the
restoration was virtually completed, illness intervened and the car was laid up
until 2013 when it was acquired by the previous owner via one of our auctions.
He lavished much time and money on the car, including getting the carburettors,
distributor and steering box rebuilt and the brakes overhauled with many new
parts. The wiring was renewed and the Jaeger chronometric speedo and rev counter
were rebuilt and an additional temperature gauge was fitted behind the gear
stick. A new hood, hood cover and tonneau were also fitted. The engine was also
fully rebuilt when the crankshaft snapped while attending a rally in France in
2016, since when the car has only covered a few hundred
miles.
Our vendor acquired the car two years
ago, again via Brightwells, and has used it only sparingly, reporting that it
runs and drives well. It has certainly been starting promptly and running very
sweetly as we have moved it around on site, with good 30psi oil pressure at
tick-over.
Documentation includes a good file
of bills charting the works carried out to date, an old green log book from 1967
when the car was in Reigate, owner’s handbook, workshop manual, parts catalogue
plus other technical literature about the model.
These lovely little sportscars are great fun to drive and this
freshly rejuvenated example, which retains its original (transferable) number
plate, looks mighty tempting at the guide price
suggested.
For
more information contact James on 07970 309907 or email
[email protected]