Lot details Registration No: ER 2097 Chassis No: 5226 Mot Expiry: None
Introduced in 1912, the Singer Ten was arguably Britain's first 'light car'. Although, priced to compete in the 'cyclecar' market, it eschewed the air-cooled V-twins and chain drive transmissions favoured by many of its contemporaries in place of 'big car' technology. As such, it was built around a channel section ladder-frame chassis equipped with a 1096cc (pair-cast, water-cooled) four-cylinder engine and three-speed manual gearbox mounted in unit with its back axle. Priced at £185, it soon acquired a reputation for reliability, economy and (when suitably fettled) speed. Tuned by Lionel Martin (later of Aston Martin fame) and B. Haywood, a 'Ten' won the 100-lap stock car race at Brooklands at an average speed of 57.49mph. Indeed, by the time of the last pre WW1 meeting in 1914, Singer held all the 1- to 9-hour Brooklands' records for the sub 1100cc class. Distinguishing itself in theatres of war as diverse as France, Egypt, Mesopotamia, Italy and Salonika, the 'Ten' returned to civilian production in late 1918. The backbone of Singer sales until the mid 1920s, it was subtly refined gaining four-wheel brakes and a more orthodox gearbox location amidships as the decade progressed.
Finished in blue with contrasting black upholstery, this particular example is said to have been extensively refurbished by the previous owner "over a number of years". Believed to have covered a mere 1,195 miles since work was completed, its last MOT certificate expired on May 14th 2005. Offered for sale with "complete photographic record of the restoration" and "many receipts", this characterful Vintage Singer was first registered on 30th April 1924.
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