A Very Special Gift...

[Phillip]

What a great group of enthusiasts this Singer community is!

A package arrived for me yesterday that was a surprise and a delight. Something very special in meaning to "Baby Blue" my 1936 Singer Le Mans Special Speed Model.

It is a badge. Quite a nice one. And a special gift from Tony Raynor out in California.

Raynor_FCCC Badge_web.jpg (119.92 KiB) Viewed 3326 times

Why is this so special?

My Singer is one of three Le Mans that were shipped new to North America directly from the factory. It was ordered by Revecomb Motors based in British Columbia, Canada and delivered to the first owner in San Diego, California. The Singer became a well known fixture in the local post-war sportcar movement and featured in many events in the Four Cylinder Car Club.

You can learn more about the Four Cylinder Car Club here:

http://www.fourcylinderclubhistory.com/ ... ll-history

For photos of my Singer during the ownership of the Burkhard family check here:

http://www.fourcylinderclubhistory.com/ ... arly-1950s

So...a real Four Cylinder Car Club badge is something I have coveted since I learnt about the history of my Singer. Tony knew this and, having found one at the Queen's English car show in Burbank one year and restored it, decided it really belonged on the badge bar of Baby Blue.

Here are a couple of photos of The Baby back in the day sporting her FCCC badge (you can just make it out in the photos)

JeanBurkhard-Gymkhana-c1951_web.jpg (108.65 KiB) Viewed 3326 times

Here Jean Burkhard competes in an FCCC Gymkana. This is a very rare colour photo of my car. Jack Burkhard, her husband, painted it two-tone red. This was in the early 50's. The car was to feature in Road & Track in March 1953.

Singer_Bill Smith_c1955_web.jpg (62.14 KiB) Viewed 3326 times

This photo was taken @1955 when the Singer was owned by Bill Smith. A number of other badges have sprouted on the badge bar along with the FCCC one.

A very big thank you to Tony for his very generous and kind gift. Baby Blue will wear it proudly as part of her heritage!

Cheers mate!

[cdk84]

Hey Phillip,

Congratulations on receiving the handsome historical badge you described. Don't suspect these grow on trees, let along in such fine condition. Look forward to seeing it 'in the metal' on your delectable car. It's great to learn more of Baby Blue's history, in particular its two tone red phase.

The period photos are always of interest to me, as you well know. Yours is a very special car, from my point of view.

And a shout out to Tony for seeing that wonderful badge into your hands. That kindness exemplifies the spirit of our club, and camaraderie in general. Nicely done, Tony.

Kudos all around!

Cheers

[Phillip]

The FCCC badge is proudly displayed on the badge bar now, next to a California state badge I found in a door pocket of the car when I bought it. Both fitting reminders of this Singer's rich history...

4 Cylinder Car Club Badge on LM_WEB.jpg (228.89 KiB) Viewed 2955 times