Registration No: AWM 293
Chassis No: 63232
MOT: Exempt

• Current ownership since 2008
• Extensively restored in the early 2000's
• Full weather equipment with side screens and hood
• Subject to an engine overhaul in 2019
• Dave Hardwick special speed head and counter-balanced crankshaft
• Previous gearbox overhaul by Singer specialist John Parker

Produced from 1933 to 1937, the Nine Le Mans had a higher tuned version of the 972cc inline-four, with stronger valve tappets, a thicker, sharply angled camshaft paired with flat-back rocker arms, and a bigger and better-cooled cast aluminium oil sump of roughly 6 gallons in capacity. Power climbed to a sustainable 34hp and a close-ratio gearbox was fitted. The chassis was dropped in the centre after the radiator, and thus underslung at the rear, giving the car a much lower profile relative to the road, as compared to the Sports variant. No running boards, a 12-imperial-gallon (55 litres) external fuel tank and twin spare wheels finished the competition appearance and added valuable weight to the rear axle. As opposed to the competing MGs, the Singer had more powerful and dependable hydraulic Lockheed brakes. The Nine Le Mans, while not particularly successful at the track which gave it its name, clocked up an impressive number of wins at hill climbs, trials, and various endurance races such as the Liège-Rome-Liège and the Alpine Cup Rally.

For 1934 the front wings were elongated to protect the paintwork on the sides of the car, as the earlier short units were found wanting. For 1935, as the sportier Le Mans gained a four-seater option, running boards also appeared, along with larger doors and a curvier rear end, now nicknamed as the "Long-Tail Nine".

Built in 1935 with the Body No. C149 and Car No. 63232, a dashboard plaque suggests the car was once sold by Denmead Motors, Hampshire. Discovered in the early 1980s, by a previous custodian, the Singer had been in ‘barn find’ condition and required a total restoration. Then tied to a trailer with many boxes resting with the larger components, the c.95% complete car was eventually sent to Singer restorer, Trevor Cornelius, in 2002. Sometime in 2003 the car was extensively restored and back on the road once more.

Today, finished in a striking Bright Red paintwork, it presents very well, particularly complemented with matching Red wire wheels and with swooping rear lines, that almost suggest speed when stationary, the back quarters matching the design of the front wings. Grille badges, a pair of vintage-style air horns and an ‘A’ pillar-mounted spotlight add to the charm. The standard specification windscreen has been joined by a set of ‘aeroscreens’ for a period sports car look. Full weather equipment, side screens and top are also present. A copy of MASCOT, the Association of Singer Car Owners, shows the car on the owner’s club stand at the NEC Classic Motor Show in 2014.

2019, saw the ‘Long-Tail’ Singer benefitting from an overhaul of the engine, along with some upgrades, such as a counter-balanced crankshaft. Dave Hardwick Singer specialist of Lincoln provided a Special Speed Head at a cost of £1,600 and a Special Speed Camshaft at a cost of £300, plus 8 valve springs and 4x exchange reprofiled rockers.

ELB Engineering of Old Sudbury carried out much of the work to overhaul the Singer’s engine in early 2019 at a cost of just over £2000.00. The short engine was stripped and cleaned and importantly checked the level of wear and tear. The block was then re-bored by 0.040”. The process involved the regrinding of the crankshaft, white-metal of the conrods and main bearings, a line bore of the block, phosphor bronze and manufacture of 4x end bushes, removal and refit of those, clearances and crankshaft end float set, assembly, lubrication, tightening up to manufacturers settings and oil pipework fitted. Subject to a previous gearbox overhaul by Singer specialist John Parker the Singer is offered with a collection of invoices and current V5C document.

For more information, please contact:
James McWilliam
james.mcwilliam@handh.co.uk
07943 584760