Help identifying coupe

[ColinB]

Can anyone help identify this 1937 car? It is for sale and I'm interested in it as I have always wanted a coupe, but looking on the galleries on the SOC and ASCO websites I can't identify it. I don't think its a Bantam as the bonnet louvres are not the same but it looks similar to the 11hp saloon although its a two-door.

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[jeans_old_man]

Hi Colin,

According to the 1937 sales brochure (for sale on ebay at £119) It's a Le Mans Coupe. It came complete with interior light and ashtray! Only two seats though!

You might have a fight on your hands - I quite fancy it myself!

Brian

[ColinB]

Could be a Le Mans Brian, although the grille, bonnet louvres, sidelights and wheels are all different so I have my doubts. I will look into it further. If I manage to buy it at a reasonable price I will sell my Series One to fund the transaction.

[ColinB]

I'm pretty sure its a Bantam although I can't find details of coupe version. Given the number of models Singer produced that isn't all that surprising. If it is indeed a Bantam that should make it more affordable which is good news for me!

[jeans_old_man]

I think it's a bitsa. Le Mans Coupe body but a Bantam front end and wheels. The result of a front end shunt perhaps? The front wings don't seem to blend in with the running boards very well. The bonnet side grill looks like it's from a roadster!

I've gone off it now.

Brian

[ColinB]

The inside looks very like a Bantam and I have found another picture on the web of a Bantam with a very similar front end and bonnet louvres. Its a shame North Yorkshire is so far away as it needs a very serious going over to determine exactly what it is. My other concern will be filler as this is probably a pressed steel body which will no doubt have been attacked by rust. I have asked the auction house to tell me what the car is called on the log book and the owner's manual so, if they respond, that should help.

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[jeans_old_man]

Well done in finding that! There is an article about a 1936 Bantam Coupe here:

http://www.singercars.com/showcase/C_Sims.html

It claims the body is aluminium and the wings steel. So no worries about filler. It does look like the factory took the Le Mans Coupe body and fitted Bantam parts to it - probably a result of the the bad name and plummeting sales Le Mans cars had after the Ards fiasco.

It looks 'unrestored'. I'm warming to it again. Pickering is only two hours from me!

Brian

[ColinB]

I'll be along to let your tyres down Brian!
I think I'll make the trip to inspect the car and bid by phone if it looks worth it as if I win I will need another trip with a trailer to pick it up. If you are seriously interested we should have a chat as there is no point in bidding against each other and I will happily make way for you.

[Peter McKercher]

Nice to see someone using this info. I wrote up that blurb on the Singercars website about 20 years ago.

[mikeyr]

Nice to see someone using this info. I wrote up that blurb on the Singercars website about 20 years ago.

And WOW the formatting on that page is AWFUL and 20 years out of date, someone on this site has been really bad about updatin....uh wait that is me, never mind. Great page Peter

[Phillip]

It is a Bantam Nine Coupe and I have seen period road tests on them and have a handbook for one.

The story as I understand it is that there were surplus bodies left over when the sports coupe production wound up and, since the chassis of the last generation Le Mans and Coupe were based on the Bantam, the body fit perfectly. My handbook shows the same layout as the photos posted. There's a three speed gearbox, but it has a remote control!

You can also find a photo of the Bantam Coupe on page 178 of The Singer Story. It is described as being a mixture of parts from the Nine Sports Coupe, Bantam, and Super Nine. It's a very pretty and rare car and one of the last coachbuilt models as they moved to pressed steel!

[telco.2]

That's a lovely looking car Colin, all the best if you decide to go for it!!
Bill

[ColinB]

I'm going up on Sunday to view it Bill, and if its as good in the metal as in the photos I'll definitely have a try for it.

[ColinB]

I have just discovered from the Singer Bantam Register that this car was owned by Robin Throp who was I believe a very active member of the Singer community until he died a few years ago. I presume the current owner bought it from his estate.

[Phillip]

Robin had quite a few Singers in his time. A real central character in the SOC for many years.

I think he had a Roadster called "Radish' and I saw that come up for sale recently also.

This Coupe is a very attractive Singer and deserves a good 'Singer loving' home that will appreciate it!

In may experience, you buy a Singer and then somehow end up with three! lol!