1934 Singer Nine Le Mans

Lot details
Registration No: RD 5401
Chassis No: 60123
Mot Expiry: June 2012

The Singer registration number 'RD 5401' is a Le Mans two-seater from 1934. Little is known of its history until its acquisition by prominent competitor John Gray in 1976, who proceeded to campaigned the car in MCC trials such as the Land's End one and maintained the Singer accordingly. Ownership passed to the vendor in 2004, who ran it in standard form in competition events organised by the VSCC. It was two years later that Gibson Brothers, who specialise in the Singer marque, commenced production of replacement engine blocks, aluminium cylinder heads and gearbox clusters more suited to competition and modern traffic conditions. As Gibsons happened to have not one but two of the original team cars on the premises at the time, the opportunity was taken to completely refashion 'RD 5401' as an evocation of them.

Work commenced in 2007 and entailed a total strip down. The chassis was then trued up and modified / reinforced in line with those of the team cars. A new body tub was secured from a specialist manufacturer and fresh bonnet crafted in aluminium. An all new engine was built up employing a fresh aluminium dry-linered block into which a special billet crankshaft, high torque camshaft, lightened flywheel, AP clutch, uprated oil pump and Gibson-made water pump were installed. The ensemble was topped by an aluminium cylinder head containing gas flowed ports and oversized valves and fed by a special inlet manifold and pair of SU carburettors. A full flow exhaust and Bosch distributor were also added and the original dynamo refurbished by a suitable specialist

The transmission was brought up to scratch with a new aluminium gearbox casing, Gibson-sourced gear cluster, new Hardy Spicer propshaft and uprated replacement axle and differential. The front axle was overhauled and new road springs fitted all round, together with brakes of Works specification. A set of new 18-inch wire wheels were secured and shod with Blockley tyres.

The team cars had a number of features that visually distinguished them from the production models and these were duly incorporated in the evocation as follows:

- Headlamp stone guards
- Unique horns
- One spare wheel rather than two
- Special cycle wings at the front and clipped ones at the rear
- Uniquely shaped windscreen frame
- Different facia panel and instrument layout
- Bucket rather than bench seats
- Bonnet straps
- Finned and ventilated alloy brake drums with cast iron liners
- Torque reaction cables for the front axle

Following some gentle running in, the completed evocation was given a rolling road tune up, following which it recorded an optimum output of 62bhp at 4,900rpm. The Singer was now ready to hit the tracks once more and made its debut at Donington in 2011. Though the car initially showed great promise, it sadly had to be retired owing to a faulty battery and gear selection problems. For the August VSCC meeting at Prescott, the wheel was passed to veteran racer Barrie 'Whizzo' Williams, who achieved an ascent in 58 seconds. This interesting evocation has not been campaigned since, however, and for other reasons is now being sold.

'RD 5401' sports traditional Dark Green coachwork and is trimmed in Green vinyl. Considering the expense and level of work completed, it's perhaps no surprise the vendor currently regards the bodywork and engine as "very good" and the paintwork, interior trim and gearbox as "good". The car comes with an MOT valid until June 26th. On the button and ready to go, this delightful restored and refashioned Singer is surely set to provide considerable of enjoyment for its next keeper, and is bound to create a great deal of interest wherever it goes.