1935 Singer 9 Le Mans Long Tail 4 Seater

A sporting offering from the 1930s, the Nine Le Mans was produced by Singer Motors Ltd initially from 1933 to 1937 to provide competition at a time when motorsport was fast developing. Whilst a four seater example of the Singer Nine did finish thirteenth in the 1933 Le Mans 24 hour race, Singer achieved better results with the Le Mans in the Sporting Trials, Hillclimbs and Endurance Rallies such as second place in The Coupe des Alpes of the same year.

Based on the Singer Junior, the Nine Le Mans had a tuned and strengthened version of the 972cc four cylinder engine with 2 gallon aluminium sump for added cooling and produced some 34hp. The lowered chassis was underslung at the rear and the hydraulic Lockheed brakes were more powerful than the equivalent MGs. It was often thought that the Singer drove somewhat better than the said MGs certainly in terms of handling. For the 1935 model year, Singer produced a limited run of a hybrid version of the 9 Sports and Le Man, known as the Long Tail, which provided four seats but retained the desirable performance those models were known for.

This particular Nine Le Man Long Tail was first owned by a Mr Grosscurth of Maindenhead. By 1937, the Singer had moved to Middlesex where it appears to have remained there until the 1960s when it moved to Surrey and then to Exeter, Devon in 1971. We believe that some restoration was carried out in that year, for example work to the front wings and apron panels, and the fitting of a new windscreen frame surround, new radiator and new upholstery, etc. Its current custodian purchased the Singer in 1972 in good, usable order and it has remained, remarkably, in that ownership ever since. It was put into dry storage in the early Seventies with no use for some fifty years, we are told that it is complete but will require mechanical recommissioning and restoration now. The Singer would possibly benefit from a repaint but the body is sound and solid. The original steel running boards are present but not fitted. The upholstery is tidy and the hood frame is present but requires a new hood cover. A replacement bonnet is included in the sale. A lovely project then and a sporting car that would certainly be welcomed by the VSCC.

The history file contains invoices from the 1970s, correspondence (including some from the DVLC), a 1972 MOT test certificate, a handwritten list of owners, a copy of The Singer Owner from 1972, an RF60 continuation book, a V5 document and the V5C registration certificate.

Auction Date: 1 March 2024