Web Forum for Singer Cars

I just had to share this with fellow Singer Owners. John Parker has sent me pictures of his two litre engine rebuild. Feel free to drool!

Wow gorgeous

Should fit in the 1.5 just fine, if you had not already rebuilt it

I think he might need it for his 1934 Sports! I've driven in it - amazing acceleration and the burble from the exhaust is terrific.

I've also had the pleasure of experiencing it on the open highway. What a lovely machine.

Some more pictures of progress. Note the electric water pump.

It needs to be on display in your living room not hidden in a car Brian!

Leo Joseph Shorter was an automobile engineer of the old school and a leading personality in the Motor Industry for over 50 years. After a career that included working on aircraft engines during the first world war he joined Singer Motors in 1932 and was responsible for the design of the successful OHC engines. I have to admit that I love the elegant simplicity of these engines and am in awe at how advanced Leo's designs were with semi-hemi heads, inclined valves, extractor exhausts etc. Many of the features were copied by Jaguar in the 1950s for their race winning cars. His obituary is on Grace's Guide.

Hi Brian,

Thanks for posting your most recent entry on this thread.

I've been away from the website for a long while. I would apologize but it's been for family reasons: my remarkable wife Nancy grew sick and left us early this year, so I chose to spend as much time with her as humanly possible. Just beginning now, in the odd moment here and there, to get me pins under me again.

Do you have, and might you post a link to Grace's page that shows the Leo Joseph Shorter obituary? I should like very much to read it.

It's most interesting, though not a surprise, given the time frame of his career, that Mr. Shorter worked in aero engine design. I only recently learned that W.O. Bentley received his greatest award for his aero engine work, rather than for his unparalleled contribution to automotive engineering.

Hope this finds you well.

Kind Regards,

David

Very sorry for your loss David. I have no idea how one copes with that, but hopefully your family will be a great support for you.

Hi David, very sorry to hear of your loss. My own illness means I spend less time in the garage and more time surfing the net but I am receiving a lot of help from friends and family.
The Leo Shorter obituary is here: https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Leo_Joseph_Shorter
I look forward to reading more of your posts.

Hello Brian,

First, thank you for responding, and for letting me know of your illness. I am Very sad to learn that this is restricting your work. I am having that experience, simply for a different and perhaps obvious reason. At least in your case you don't have cause for recrimination or guilt. I chide myself regularly for not being able to summon the emotional/psychic fortitude to get myself into the garage.

And thank you, too, for the kindness and sincerity I feel in your wishes of condolence. I hope not to sound in any measure preachy when I say that loss has and is teaching me a great deal. Some of the lessons learned are not ones I would have asked to learn, but some are enriching. I can only wish for you that the support your friends offer gives you hope and spurs your project on.

When I'm less than well, I find it helps me tremendously to do something for and/or with someone else. It is my sincere wish that I were closer so I could lend a hand in the beautiful project you are undertaking. I had my eyes on that car with the hope of buying it from the first time I learned of its existence ( then in the US ).

Thank you, too, for the link to the Leo Shorter obituary. It makes for very interesting reading indeed.

As you are able to spend time online, please keep us posted on the progress you continue to make with this lovely Singer.

Kind and Warm Regards,

David

we must all be old with all our illnesses. In my case...I have 2 elderly mothers who keep having health issues. I am one of the lucky ones with not one but 2 mothers...my wife says its a "French thing", my Father was a Shipmaster/Captain in the Merchant Marines, so lets say girl in every port and leave it at that. But both Mom's are in their 90's and have health issues, one here in the U.S. and the other in France forcing me to go to France a few times a year to take care of things and not actually visit France like I would like. I have missed a lot of work this year, luckily I can do most of it remote but I foresee my boss someday saying that I can't keep missing this much work. When I need to get my mind off all these issues, I go into my shop and even just sitting in it, makes me feel a little bit better.

Of course David, none of my issues even come close to yours, Sorry for your loss ! I can't even imagine losing my best friend who is also my wife.