Singer Le Mans History

The Singer Nine Le Mans appeared in 1933, named for the marque's class success at the French endurance race. It used a higher-tuned version of the 972 cc overhead-cam engine — about 34 bhp, later more — with a close-ratio gearbox, a chassis dropped in the centre and underslung at the rear, no running boards, an external 12-gallon fuel tank, and twin spare wheels for a full competition look.

A key advantage over its principal rival, the MG Midget, was dependable hydraulic Lockheed brakes where the MG used cables. The Le Mans was never a winner at Le Mans itself, but it racked up a long list of victories in hillclimbs, trials, and endurance events through the mid-1930s.

For 1935 the faster Special Speed model arrived with a tuned engine (around 38.5 bhp) breathing through twin vertical Solex carburettors, plus a roomier four-seat option. A high-profile steering failure at the 1935 Ulster Tourist Trophy dented Singer's competition image, and the Le Mans was dropped after 1937.