Singer Gazelle History
The first Rootes-era Singer — an up-market Hillman Minx that initially kept Singer's own overhead-cam engine.
Photo: “1964 Singer Gazelle V.jpg” by Vauxford / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
History
Introduced in 1956, the Gazelle was the first Singer of the Rootes era: a more up-market version of the mainstream Hillman Minx, distinguished by a traditional Singer grille and better trim. Early cars notably retained Singer's own pre-war-derived overhead-camshaft engine, a last link to the independent company.
From 1958 the Gazelle switched to Rootes's pushrod engine, completing its transition into a badge-engineered car positioned between the basic Hillman range and the sportier Sunbeam models. It was updated through the 'Audax' bodies and finally onto the Rootes Arrow platform.
The Gazelle ran until 1970, when the Singer marque was discontinued. The final Arrow-platform Gazelle is among the last Singer-badged cars produced.
Generations
Gazelle I–IIA · Audax (with Singer OHC engine)
The original up-market Hillman Minx derivative that kept Singer's own overhead-cam engine before switching to Rootes power.
Gazelle III–VI · Audax (Rootes engine)
Photo: “1964 Singer Gazelle V.jpg” by Vauxford / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Fully badge-engineered Audax-bodied Gazelle on Rootes pushrod engines, gaining front disc brakes and, later, a 1,725 cc engine.
1958 Photo: “1958 Singer Gazelle Series III (14116090179).jpg” by Sicnag / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0
1959 Photo: “1959 Singer Gazelle Series III (21880779798).jpg” by Jeremy from Sydney, Australia / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0
1960 Photo: “1960 Singer Gazelle (6475819361).jpg” by Riley from Christchurch, New Zealand / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0
1961 Photo: “1961 Singer Gazelle Series IIIC (24293040649).jpg” by Sicnag / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0
1963 Photo: “1963 Singer Gazelle Series IIIC (14302208494).jpg” by Sicnag / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0
1964 Photo: “1964 Singer Gazelle Series V Saloon (47136812872).jpg” by Sicnag / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0
1965 Photo: “Singer Gazelle V (1965) (51141287209).jpg” by Andrew Bone from Weymouth, England / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0
1966 Photo: “Singer Gazelle VI registered April 1966 1725cc.jpg” by Charles01 / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Gazelle (Arrow) · Rootes Arrow
The final Gazelle on the Rootes Arrow platform (Hillman Hunter family), built until the Singer marque was wound up in 1970.
1968 Photo: “1968 Singer Gazelle 1.8.jpg” by Vauxford / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Body styles
- Saloon
- Convertible
- Estate
Related models
Collect the nameplate
Find a scale model of the Singer Gazelle
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