Hello, I've just joined this forum as I have recently acquired a 1937 Singer, built as a racing special, from my father. The car was last registered in England as NSL 949 and now lives in Northern California.
It stared life as a 2 door Bantam in late 1937. It was basically passed around and parted out in England. From the history I have, the engine came to the US for someone's roadster. It was finally completed and returned to the road by a Michael Keaton in 2005. My father purchased it shortly thereafter to use as a spare pre-war race car. It was last raced at the SVRA Historics at Indianapolis in 2015.
As Pre-War registrar of NASOC, I'd love ot get some more photos and data (chassis number, etc) for my records.
Would you be interested in writing an article about the car for our club magazine? I am sure it would be of interest to our members.
I also own the remains of a Bantam Tourer. Let me know if you need anything.
Best regards,
Phillip
Your Friendly Canadian Pre-War Singer Specialist, Collector & Historian, Editor & Pre-War Registrar & Canadian Contact -NASOC
Singer Enthusiast for over 40 Years.
'28 Senior, '33 & '34 Sports, '36 Le Mans SS & Bantam
Perfect, a Singer, a Mini and a Morgan, you would be right at home at my house. But my Singer is in pieces, my Mini is bare metal right now and there has not been a 3-wheel Mog in my garage in years. I might have to stop by and say hi next time I am up in North Cal.
Mike Rambour. Site Administrator
1953 Singer 4ADT (sold), 1934 Singer 9 Le Mans, 1934 Singer 1 1/2 4-Seater Sports (sold), 2009 BMW K1300GT
The Morgan is being built, the Mini is my commuter car, the Singer needs a ring and pinion and I do have a '54 Ford F100 as a go to, always works truck. And to temper the British Invasion in the neighborhood
I will post some more pictures and numbers tonight after work. I would also be willing to do a write-up of the car and the history as I know it.
Conor,
I assume the running gear is all original Bantam, with the exception of the engine. I assume this is the 1500 cc post war engine. Have there been any engine mods done. How did it stack up against the competition?
Peter McKercher Vice President - NASOC
Pre war Singer Specialist and Collector
Automotive Historian
Author of "Racing Roadsters"
Peter, you are correct that the running gear is original Bantam. As I said earlier, the engine was sent to the US at some point, so the engine was sourced from what was available. It is a 1300cc from a Triumph Spitfire. Competitively, I think my Dad as an 84 year old race car driver, kept the car at the back of the pack.
My plan is to race it here in Northern CA.
The body is pretty crude with a lack of curves. So I might have to restyle it.
I haven't located the chassis number as the frame has been covered with a thick coat of paint. It is registered with a VIN of 20913 from a body tag on the firewall. I don't know where that originated from. And the NSL 949 number plate is a re-register. Let me know what additional information you need.
I did break a tooth off the ring gear in the rear, so if anyone has sources for parts, let me know.
Ironic that it has the small Triumph engine (Spitfire and Herald) as the pistons for the 1200cc version look like the best bet to use in my Senior engine!
Your Friendly Canadian Pre-War Singer Specialist, Collector & Historian, Editor & Pre-War Registrar & Canadian Contact -NASOC
Singer Enthusiast for over 40 Years.
'28 Senior, '33 & '34 Sports, '36 Le Mans SS & Bantam
Hello Mr. Green. I grew up as a small child with my father owning a Singer Roadster. My best memories were riding around with him. During the summer of the 2020 pandemic I found a chance to fulfill my childhood memories through Hemmings. I bought from a retired doctor in Pa. a red 48 Singer 9A # 4A 5152T. She is right hand drive with what appears to be a few upgrades from stock like an electric fuel pump and 4 gear transmission. Other wise she seems pretty much stock.
I'd love to find a history on her and any other info about her like original colors or accessories. I would like to find areo screens and windscreen mount mirrors for her. I have a few electrical gremblins (I think because the seller's son installed a new battery backwards), non working trafficators, and missing rubber boots around gearshift and pedals. I'm looking forward to driving the back roads and making new friends.