What is it about the 4AD? or Philosophy 101 or Mikes new car

[mikeyr]

I got a new car this weekend, been looking forward to getting it as I have big plans for the motor. But after I got the car home, I am looking at what I bought and walked into the house told my wife that a few weeks ago Peter called me a "hoarder" because I had some spare lug nuts and brake drums for a poster here. I had to tell my wife that Peter might be right, after looking over what I got I came to the conclusion that I have enough parts that I could finish this car CORRECTLY, all the proper bits and get a nice 4AD together. The only thing I am missing is a speedo and gauge cluster because I gave those away to a club member late last year. Also missing top bows since I have given all of them away over the years, after all it never rain in California.

No kidding, I really could finish this car, I have to keep telling myself, I need the motor, I need the motor, no more 4AD's for me EVER, must resist. Notice the high tech CocaCola distributor, what will the kids think of next on these cars, what was wrong with the old fashioned distributor that they have to come up with clear plastic ones so they can see the spark created ? Yeah, its a also a Single carb motor but no worries I will not lower myself to the point where I would drive a car with only one carb, I will put my last twin-carb head on it and I will finally get to use my RHD 4AD bell housing that I have had since the mid-1970s, never did figure out how I got a RHD 4AD bell housing since they never made a RHD 4AD but I finally get to use it. This motor will use up most of my last spares as it has been stripped externally of every removeable item but I have everything so it will be a running motor soon.

But as I worked on bits yesterday I kept thinking to myself, what is it about the 4AD ? why is that I can look at this and go "Yeah, not a problem, I could do this" with total confidence, yes, I have done a few of them before but why is it that the 4AD is so confidence inspiring when the pre-war Singer's are down right scary, there are times when I wonder if I ever will finish my Le Mans but I could finish this 4AD much faster then the Le Mans. There is no real difference between the Le Mans and the 4AD, its just a frame and body with a motor but while I would really have to think before taking on another pre-war project, a 4AD is almost fun, why ?

At least its going to be fun until Dave gives the total cost for the parts, I assume I will need pistons/rings and bearings, everything else I have, although it will burn up my last NOS twin-carb gasket set.

Just some random thoughts

[Paul Bouchard]

Hi Mike!

Welcome back into the Post-War world. Correct me if I am wrong, but did someone squeeze an A Series rim on the front axle?? Gutsy.

Paul

[Peter McKercher]

Mike
I believe I said "Pack Rat", not hoarder - totally different connotation - could even be perceived as a compliment in Singer circles.

[mikeyr]

Good eye Paul, yes they did but its no longer useable, they had the wrong lug nuts so they welded a washer onto each bolt hole on the rim to hold the lug nut in place, now that is gutsy...oh look the wheel is loose because we have the wrong lug nuts, well lets weld a washer on the rim.

And I believe you are right Peter, it might have been pack rat but same idea.

And I think I will keep the frame, when I am done with the motor in 2-4 years, I will put a 4AD together, I have one spare body and lots of fenders, etc. But it will have to wait a few years until I am done with the motor so I am not back into the post-war world yet. My original plan was to use the frame for welding practice for my daughter but I have found out that I can't cut up a good frame and it gives me a chance to get rid of parts in a few years.

[Peter McKercher]

Are you and your daughter planning on a reprise of Flash Dance?

[mikeyr]

Very good, had to think about that one, forgot she was a welder in that movie.

My daughter is not a very good welder yet, she can do OK with a MIG but TIG is a different story, so I was going to cut it up and have her weld it back up as practice, that won't happen, I can't cut a good Singer frame. I will have to get steel elsewhere for her to practice.

She needs the practice if she gets the 66 Mustang she wants, it needs lots of welding. On the good side by now she should have the motor removed from that frame and its maybe even on the engine stand by now. Daughters are very expensive but give them a few tools and they are a good thing to have around when you want a motor pulled and you have to be at work.

[Phillip]

Congratulations Mikey!

And way to go for putting your money where your mouth is and joining the Save-a-Singer Foundation!

Funny...you say a pre-war project is scary and a 4AD a familiar exercise...for me it's the reverse. I've owned A, 4A and 4AD Roadsters, but the LHD 4AD is the scariest for me...everything is jammed in and that IFS is a bitch to do the bushes and rubbers on! I'm a commited beam axle man!

And to that end...I have another project...pre-war...welcome to my world!

[mikeyr]

No fair, your car is more complete than mine.

Congratulations

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[Phillip]

Thanks Mike,

Sadly a bit less complete than it looks: The dash went missing during storage and it was fitted with an MG Y engine and gearbox back in the mid 50's.

Luckily, like you, I tend to be a 'hoarder' and so have all the bits in stock, including a '34 engine and gearbox, but bar a speedo. Just picked up a very tasty pair of original Singer-issue Solex carbs for it - not the '50's replacements that need adaptors. The car has been stored since 1959, so is very original otherwise, including the upholstery, so I want to get it back to as close to stock as I can. Loads of little original details are intact that are often lost nowadays or 'restored out' by the unknowing. There was even a new top with it...purchased in England back in the early 60's!!!

Like you, I wasn't looking for another car, but this was offered to me as being preferred to go to me and I just could not let it disappear into the unknown.

Now...the question is...how many is too many????

[mikeyr]

Now...the question is...how many is too many????

That is easy, one more than the wife will let you keep.

I still say its more complete than mine and with all the bits you have it wont be hard to put right, although with the MG engine and the parts availability of MG, you could make this one a daily driver, especially in your mild winters up there in the frozen North.

[Paul Bouchard]

That is easy, one more than the wife will let you keep.

That is very clever... and so right! Being in a colder climate, the issue is covered storage space. Leaving a car outside with all of the radical temperature (and humidity) changes is brutal.

Having participated in a 4AD rebuild I will say that I do prefer the beam axle variants. The 4AD does not lack in beefyness, just so many little bushings. The lower ones were especially stubborn. What the 4AD does offer is a nice crusing vehicle more appropriate for this continent's road network. Highway driving (at 45 MPH) is scary at best in the A... Nothing like driving next to some 18 wheeler!

[Phillip]

Hey Mike,

The wife has five dogs and three cats, so that would equal at least 8 Singers. I figure I've got 'spousal room' to move!

I considered a change from the MG 'Y" engine, which is a bit of a lump, to a smaller BMC A-Series, but the purist in me won out. I drove Jim Keniston's Sports in the UK when it had the A-Series in it and it went like stink. 80mph on the M25..no kidding! I'd be hard pressed to get 60 with the 972. Still, with such an original car, I went back to stock. I'm even considering the shocking 'pee green' and ivory original colour scheme. Won't get many 'People's Choice Awards' with that!

Paul's right...the 4AD, especially the 4ADT...is a very practical Singer for the modern world, especially in North America. Hell, we had two MG guys at Stowe who bought Singers because the word is the 4AD is actually a better car. Finally! The word is spreading! I suspect prices will rise for this model once the economy sorts itself out.

Meanwhile, motor on with your new 4AD project there, Mike, and ENJOY!

[FORREST]

PHILLIP AND OTHERS;

I DID SAY THAT I PREFERED THE SINGER 4AD TO THE MG YT BUT I STILL THINK THAT MY FAVORITE CAR IS THE MGA AS I NOW HAVE 7 OF THEM. I ALSO SEEM TO BE IN THE ENGLISH CAR PRESERVATION SOCIETY AS AT LAST COUNT THE BRITISH CARS NUMBERED 15. I ALSO DON'T SEEM TO BE ABLE TO PASS UP A RESCUE PROJECT, EVEN A SINGER THAT I WAS GOING TO BUY FOR PARTS FOR ANOTHER PROJECT. I GUESS THAT IT IS JUST GOOD TO KNOW THAT THERE ARE OTHERS AS CRAZY AS ME.

MIKE I HOPE THAT OUR PATHS CROSS SOME DAY

BEST OF LUCK TO ALL

FORREST JOHNSON

[Phillip]

Hey Forrest,

And now that same 4AD 'parts car' has been a 'Star at Stowe!'

Seriously, though, Forrest, it was great to see you and Dale at the show and to share your enthusiasm. And kudos to you for saving what is going to be a very nice, original Roadster, rather than a source of parts. It was indeed too good to break! You did the right thing!

Motor on, buddy, and we look forward to seeing you again next year.

BTW, the MGA certainly seems to be moving up as one of Abingdon's most popular. It's a very practical sports car for the modern age.

[Peter McKercher]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. This picture appeared in a Car Craft magazine in 1954 suggesting that not everyone liked the rear end design of the 4AD