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1934 Singer Le Mans

Story and History

1934 Singer Le Mans - restored condition & celebrity journalist owned

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 average

The company introduced a Sports model of their successful model, the 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 such a small sports car

The factory soon introduced an updated 'Le Mans' two-seater model to celebrate the racing success, of course they'd be foolish to miss such an opportunity

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 and mated this to a close-ratio gearbox

The Le Mans looked the part too with its' pretty faired scuttle, slab fuel tank and twin spare wheels

A top speed seems rather on the low side nowadays, so we have to remember that anything above 50mph in 1934, was "absolutely cracking along, old boy"

This little charmer was delivered on 9th February 1934 to a Mr Spencer of Bolton through Henleys in Manchester

The green logbook shows a string of owners in the Sussex area in the 1970s, the previous owner purchasing her in 2012

He is a well known motoring journalist, well versed in Singers, as this Le Mans was not his first by any means

A stickler for correctness he quickly set about putting a few things in order

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

More recently over the last couple of years, covered were overhauling the braking system with new seals, replacement of numerous fixings with correct BSF items, an upgraded dynamo with alternator internals plus the distributor has similarly been upgraded internally with an electric module

All gauges work correctly, including the clock (!!!) whilst carpets and period style leather interior has been updated too

Other than that, oh and a full engine overhaul (ooops, nearly forgot........silly me)

So, the original unit (scarce in a car so old) although still usable, was removed and rebuilt - whilst everything else had been overhauled it seemed a sensible idea to finish off the little car perfectly, and hence John Parker was asked to undertake the works

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

I can say that she is completely on the button and is full of verve, a perfect gear change can be effected (even by me)

She is not long back from the National Singer weekend and has also featured in Octane magazine over the past few years

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

She comes with the original log book / copy of original build records / copy handbook / history folder / magazine articles / bills & computer stick full of images & letters all of which attest to the quality of this little pippin

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Specifications

Status
Previously Sold
Engine Size
972cc
Transmission Type
4 Speed Manual
Miles Recorded
1,108
Chassis Number
60223
Finance