Coys Auction - True Greats
Royal Horticultural Halls
Elverton St
Westminster
London SW1
Tuesday 7 December 2010
Founded in 1905 by bicycle manufacturer George Singer, the firm made its first saleable car in Coventry the following year. By 1928 Singer had grown to become Britain's third largest car maker after Austin and Morris. Singer entered into a flirtation with motorsports in the 1930s that took it to that font of racing greatness, Le Mans. At the core of the story was the ohc four created for the Singer. Enlargement of this engine's displacement resulted in the 972cc Nine series (so named for its taxable horsepower rating). Among the cars in the series were the Sports models, a coupe and a four-seat open car on a lowered chassis. These were soon accompanied by a Le Mans 2-seater. According to The Beaulieu Encyclopaedia of the Automobile, "Encouraged by reliable performances in the 1934 Le Mans race, Singer prepared a team of lightweight 2-seaters for 1935." These cars could hit 90