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1947' Singer Nine Roadster
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£8,900Published 26 June 2018ID: D9Lhum
Expired
6 years, 5 months ago
6 years, 5 months ago
Information from the owner
Body: Sports Car
Age: 71 years
Fuel: Petrol
Seller's comments about 1947' Singer Nine Roadster
For sale in North Buckinghamshire is this 1947 Singer 9 Roadster
History of the model
The Singer Nine Roadster model was introduced in 1939 and unusually, as a 4 seat open top car; not as a racing or 2 seat sports car. There are however many similarities with the earlier Le Mans, particularly across the drive train and in the chassis rails and front scuttle build.
The Roadster is traditionally coachbuilt vehicle with an Ash frame under an aluminium skin and sitting on a substantial steel chassis. In line engine gearbox and back axle driving rear wheels. This follows the style of the day. (aka MG, Morgan and Morris etc).
The car had brakes to all four wheels, a very advanced engine design (Overhead Cam, when Morris were still side valve) spare wheel and boot. With an asking price of £169 it found instant appeal to the sports minded motorist who wanted a weekend touring car.
The new Nine was neither a placid saloon nor a sports car, but it was of a sporting heritage with plenty of power, lively performance and attractive lines. The ’39 car was fitted with a single S.U. downdraft carburettor, a 1074cc / 36b.h.p engine (at 5000rpm) and a three speed gearbox capable of 65mph and near 40mph in 2nd gear. Production stopped with the outbreak of WW2, restarting in 1946 with little change.
Summary of the car for sale
This example is from 1947, which had a slightly upgraded specification to include a 4 speed gearbox and Solex Carburettor. The car was last used in the 1980’s, but seen out and about briefly in 1991 when it moved garages. Purchased locally 5 years ago, my having known the previous owner for over 25 years.
The Singer was dismantled by the previous owner for proposed restoration and arrived as a bare car with many boxes of bits! A lot of work had been completed, but not everything and it all required re-commissioning or checking before assembly.
Engine and chassis numbers are correct and the car checked against original records held by the Singer Owner’s Club (SOC) confirm this is a genuine and original UK car.
A body off restoration has now been completed and the car is in what I would describe as “First Fix” stage. Complete, correct, legal, and reliable, everything works as it should and I have been driving it around for a few months now.
My decision throughout has been to reassemble the original car and bring her back to life as a useable vehicle with original stored parts where possible. This car, as it stands now, is already very presentable, it is a lot of fun, and looks much as it always was when in regular use.
The vehicle now needs to be driven as it is for a while longer to allow the bodywork to settle before the final stage of restoration. If I were to retain the car, this would be respray, interior trim and hood. This being all that is now necessary to complete.
This historic vehicle can be brought to a good show condition with little more effort if the new owner so desires, or driven from now on as she is.
Detail of work done.
Much of the work was completed over an extended period by the previous owner. I purchased a partly assembled, but stalled, rolling restoration.
Chassis:-
Body off – chassis sand basted, new rear cross rail chassis welded in to support tail of body, all else good. Painted. Re assembled to body and frame using new securing bolts and mounting rubber.
Body & Frame:-
Wood...Some of the lighter ash frame replaced. Two significant lengths of frame along the sides of the car replaced. Also replaced all wood over rear wheel arches and all of the flooring.
Metal...All floors, seat supports, whole of rear tub, boot floor and sides of rear wheel arches are replacement sections. Additionally, steel strengtheners were inserted into rear section of body along the inner wheel sections to prevent any future tail fracture (an issue for these cars when the rear chassis fails through rust).
Aluminium skin:- Not a lot done. The car is much as it has always been. Though it was re-sprayed by a previous owner some years ago but it is all as delivered to me.
Brakes steering and suspension:-
New brake shoes all round. All braking mechanisms checked and refitted / rebuilt / remanufactured as necessary with new brake springs where necessary.
Steering box rebuilt, replacement drive nut.
King pins are new.
All swivels are rebuilt.
All wheel bearings were dismantled & re-greased.
New wheel nuts and studs as necessary to road axles.
Engine:-
Rebuilt engine complete with new sleeve liners and pistons. Reground crank. Replacement oil pump,
The block & head are undamaged by frost etc. and are original to the car. Engine has completed less than 5,000 miles.
OHC chain etc. changed
Dynamo, checked
Starter checked.
Fan bearings checked.
Carburettor rebuilt, re-jetted and new butterfly assembly fitted
Gearbox / Clutch:-
Overhauled box and remote change assembly.
Replacement clutch plate. (not sure on cover plate).
Back axle :-
Wheel bearing on N/S re-fitted. All bearings greased. Newly balanced prop shaft & new bearings
Trim / Electrics:-
New wiring loom.
Gauges dismantled and cleaned where necessary. Period flashing indicators fitted & with period lever.
“D” rear lamps sourced & fitted. All original electrics refitted loom to new loom.
New leather covers for front seats (Early MGB reclining and on new runners!) and new manufactured rear seating.
New battery.
Regulator checked and output adjusted to 14.7 V max.
Complete stainess steel exhaust system.
New (lift arm) trafficators fitted to body (but not wired in).
Original fuel tank relined and a new tank sender fitted.
New antifreeze and oils throughout.
Uses Castrol Valvemaster mix with petrol.
Headlamp reflectors are new, but currently left fitted to the original rims. (new rims available with car).
Windscreen and surround are the original and beautifully chromed. (I have a spare)
Steering wheel is the original, but refurbished & painted.
The hood is useful as a pattern as very tatty. Side screens are with the car. (also tatty).
Hood frame is present.
Tyres are good cross ply’s (Avon’s) with new inner tubes.
Replacement chrome headlamp surrounds come with the car as do several boxes of useful spare parts, plus pop shafts, steering tubes and much more.
Workshop manuals and books worth £100 on their own come with the car
The original transferable number plate is available and is of course expected to go with the car. It's a haggle point if a price can't be agreed, or it's not required as the car is going abroad. An age-related, non-transferrable registration will be provided as an alternative.
The car has a good chassis and frame. The chrome work is generally good.
The gearbox is a 4 speed transmission from a later car (probably a Singer 4A) as this was a popular conversion at the time (The speedometer is for a 3 speed change gearbox and reads about 10mph fast).
All in all, a rare chance to own a well built British Roadster. Current sold prices over the last two years for the Singer Roadster (1946 – 1953) seem to sit between £4,000 for a dismantled unrestored car, through to £20,000 + for a concourse example.
There are not many of these cars around, and you'll look hard to find another genuine UK car with all paperwork and in good running order, ready to drive away.
As projects go, this is a winner. Trimming this one to finish should certainly be achievable. The hard work really has been done. A supply of Roadster spares are available through the SOC as is much information and help.
My reason for selling? I purchased the car as a project to prevent it from being broken up / sold for spares when the original owner was unable to complete the build.
Price:- asking £8,900 Come view and make an offer over a cup of tea or coffee. Haggarty insurance agreed a value of £7,000 in 2016, based on it then being a non-running restoration project.
Thanks for reading this far.
The car is based in Buckinghamshire. MK16 9NZ
Tony. My contact detail: 07860 370558
Specification
Roadster 9-hp series (1947) & A (1948-49)
Engine
Bore & Stroke 60mm x 95mm
Displacement 1074cc
Firing order 1,3,4,2
Oil pressure (hot) 30 - 35 lb./sq. in.
Fuel Supply
Carburetor Solex 30FAI
Choke 22
Main 115
Air Correction 230
Pilot 45
Starter Petrol 115
Starter Air 4
Valving
Intake tappet clearance 0.005" (hot)
Exhaust tappet clearance 0.007" (hot)
Valve-timing indication ¼ on flywheel
Intake valve opens 20° BTDC (125⁄32" on flywheel)
Ignition
Breaker gap 0.012"
Plug gap 0.025"
Ignition timing indication ¼ on flywheel
Ignition timing 5° - 10° BTDC (fully advanced)
Clutch
Clutch type 7½ Borg & Beck Single Dry Plate
Brakes
Brake type Girling Mechanical
Brake linings 6½" x 1¼" x 3⁄16"
Wheel Alignment
Toe-In 1⁄8"
Camber 3° laden
Caster angle 2° laden
King pin angle 7° laden
Suspension
Semi-elliptic to both front and rear
Solid axles back and front.
Body:-
Aluminium over Ash frame sides and doors
Front floor Wood
Wings, bonnet & scuttle - Steel
Rear tub & floor - Steel
History of the model
The Singer Nine Roadster model was introduced in 1939 and unusually, as a 4 seat open top car; not as a racing or 2 seat sports car. There are however many similarities with the earlier Le Mans, particularly across the drive train and in the chassis rails and front scuttle build.
The Roadster is traditionally coachbuilt vehicle with an Ash frame under an aluminium skin and sitting on a substantial steel chassis. In line engine gearbox and back axle driving rear wheels. This follows the style of the day. (aka MG, Morgan and Morris etc).
The car had brakes to all four wheels, a very advanced engine design (Overhead Cam, when Morris were still side valve) spare wheel and boot. With an asking price of £169 it found instant appeal to the sports minded motorist who wanted a weekend touring car.
The new Nine was neither a placid saloon nor a sports car, but it was of a sporting heritage with plenty of power, lively performance and attractive lines. The ’39 car was fitted with a single S.U. downdraft carburettor, a 1074cc / 36b.h.p engine (at 5000rpm) and a three speed gearbox capable of 65mph and near 40mph in 2nd gear. Production stopped with the outbreak of WW2, restarting in 1946 with little change.
Summary of the car for sale
This example is from 1947, which had a slightly upgraded specification to include a 4 speed gearbox and Solex Carburettor. The car was last used in the 1980’s, but seen out and about briefly in 1991 when it moved garages. Purchased locally 5 years ago, my having known the previous owner for over 25 years.
The Singer was dismantled by the previous owner for proposed restoration and arrived as a bare car with many boxes of bits! A lot of work had been completed, but not everything and it all required re-commissioning or checking before assembly.
Engine and chassis numbers are correct and the car checked against original records held by the Singer Owner’s Club (SOC) confirm this is a genuine and original UK car.
A body off restoration has now been completed and the car is in what I would describe as “First Fix” stage. Complete, correct, legal, and reliable, everything works as it should and I have been driving it around for a few months now.
My decision throughout has been to reassemble the original car and bring her back to life as a useable vehicle with original stored parts where possible. This car, as it stands now, is already very presentable, it is a lot of fun, and looks much as it always was when in regular use.
The vehicle now needs to be driven as it is for a while longer to allow the bodywork to settle before the final stage of restoration. If I were to retain the car, this would be respray, interior trim and hood. This being all that is now necessary to complete.
This historic vehicle can be brought to a good show condition with little more effort if the new owner so desires, or driven from now on as she is.
Detail of work done.
Much of the work was completed over an extended period by the previous owner. I purchased a partly assembled, but stalled, rolling restoration.
Chassis:-
Body off – chassis sand basted, new rear cross rail chassis welded in to support tail of body, all else good. Painted. Re assembled to body and frame using new securing bolts and mounting rubber.
Body & Frame:-
Wood...Some of the lighter ash frame replaced. Two significant lengths of frame along the sides of the car replaced. Also replaced all wood over rear wheel arches and all of the flooring.
Metal...All floors, seat supports, whole of rear tub, boot floor and sides of rear wheel arches are replacement sections. Additionally, steel strengtheners were inserted into rear section of body along the inner wheel sections to prevent any future tail fracture (an issue for these cars when the rear chassis fails through rust).
Aluminium skin:- Not a lot done. The car is much as it has always been. Though it was re-sprayed by a previous owner some years ago but it is all as delivered to me.
Brakes steering and suspension:-
New brake shoes all round. All braking mechanisms checked and refitted / rebuilt / remanufactured as necessary with new brake springs where necessary.
Steering box rebuilt, replacement drive nut.
King pins are new.
All swivels are rebuilt.
All wheel bearings were dismantled & re-greased.
New wheel nuts and studs as necessary to road axles.
Engine:-
Rebuilt engine complete with new sleeve liners and pistons. Reground crank. Replacement oil pump,
The block & head are undamaged by frost etc. and are original to the car. Engine has completed less than 5,000 miles.
OHC chain etc. changed
Dynamo, checked
Starter checked.
Fan bearings checked.
Carburettor rebuilt, re-jetted and new butterfly assembly fitted
Gearbox / Clutch:-
Overhauled box and remote change assembly.
Replacement clutch plate. (not sure on cover plate).
Back axle :-
Wheel bearing on N/S re-fitted. All bearings greased. Newly balanced prop shaft & new bearings
Trim / Electrics:-
New wiring loom.
Gauges dismantled and cleaned where necessary. Period flashing indicators fitted & with period lever.
“D” rear lamps sourced & fitted. All original electrics refitted loom to new loom.
New leather covers for front seats (Early MGB reclining and on new runners!) and new manufactured rear seating.
New battery.
Regulator checked and output adjusted to 14.7 V max.
Complete stainess steel exhaust system.
New (lift arm) trafficators fitted to body (but not wired in).
Original fuel tank relined and a new tank sender fitted.
New antifreeze and oils throughout.
Uses Castrol Valvemaster mix with petrol.
Headlamp reflectors are new, but currently left fitted to the original rims. (new rims available with car).
Windscreen and surround are the original and beautifully chromed. (I have a spare)
Steering wheel is the original, but refurbished & painted.
The hood is useful as a pattern as very tatty. Side screens are with the car. (also tatty).
Hood frame is present.
Tyres are good cross ply’s (Avon’s) with new inner tubes.
Replacement chrome headlamp surrounds come with the car as do several boxes of useful spare parts, plus pop shafts, steering tubes and much more.
Workshop manuals and books worth £100 on their own come with the car
The original transferable number plate is available and is of course expected to go with the car. It's a haggle point if a price can't be agreed, or it's not required as the car is going abroad. An age-related, non-transferrable registration will be provided as an alternative.
The car has a good chassis and frame. The chrome work is generally good.
The gearbox is a 4 speed transmission from a later car (probably a Singer 4A) as this was a popular conversion at the time (The speedometer is for a 3 speed change gearbox and reads about 10mph fast).
All in all, a rare chance to own a well built British Roadster. Current sold prices over the last two years for the Singer Roadster (1946 – 1953) seem to sit between £4,000 for a dismantled unrestored car, through to £20,000 + for a concourse example.
There are not many of these cars around, and you'll look hard to find another genuine UK car with all paperwork and in good running order, ready to drive away.
As projects go, this is a winner. Trimming this one to finish should certainly be achievable. The hard work really has been done. A supply of Roadster spares are available through the SOC as is much information and help.
My reason for selling? I purchased the car as a project to prevent it from being broken up / sold for spares when the original owner was unable to complete the build.
Price:- asking £8,900 Come view and make an offer over a cup of tea or coffee. Haggarty insurance agreed a value of £7,000 in 2016, based on it then being a non-running restoration project.
Thanks for reading this far.
The car is based in Buckinghamshire. MK16 9NZ
Tony. My contact detail: 07860 370558
Specification
Roadster 9-hp series (1947) & A (1948-49)
Engine
Bore & Stroke 60mm x 95mm
Displacement 1074cc
Firing order 1,3,4,2
Oil pressure (hot) 30 - 35 lb./sq. in.
Fuel Supply
Carburetor Solex 30FAI
Choke 22
Main 115
Air Correction 230
Pilot 45
Starter Petrol 115
Starter Air 4
Valving
Intake tappet clearance 0.005" (hot)
Exhaust tappet clearance 0.007" (hot)
Valve-timing indication ¼ on flywheel
Intake valve opens 20° BTDC (125⁄32" on flywheel)
Ignition
Breaker gap 0.012"
Plug gap 0.025"
Ignition timing indication ¼ on flywheel
Ignition timing 5° - 10° BTDC (fully advanced)
Clutch
Clutch type 7½ Borg & Beck Single Dry Plate
Brakes
Brake type Girling Mechanical
Brake linings 6½" x 1¼" x 3⁄16"
Wheel Alignment
Toe-In 1⁄8"
Camber 3° laden
Caster angle 2° laden
King pin angle 7° laden
Suspension
Semi-elliptic to both front and rear
Solid axles back and front.
Body:-
Aluminium over Ash frame sides and doors
Front floor Wood
Wings, bonnet & scuttle - Steel
Rear tub & floor - Steel
