Singer Gazelle

The Singer Gazelle name has been applied to two generations of motor cars from the British manufacturer the Rootes Group, using the Singer marque. It was positioned between the basic Hillman range and the more sporting Sunbeam versions.

Gazelle I and II

Infobox Automobile generation
name = Singer Gazelle I & II


production = 1956-1958
4344 and 1582 madecite book |last=Robson |first=G. |title=A-Z of British Cars 1945-80|year=2006 |publisher=Herridge |location=Devon, UK |id=ISBN 0-9541063-9-3]
predecessor = Singer Hunter
body_style = 4-door saloon, 2-door drophead, estate car
engine = 1497 cc Straight-4 overhead cam
transmission = 4 speed manual with optional overdrive
length = convert|163.5|in|0|abbr=oncite book |last=Culshaw |first= |coauthors=Horrobin |title=Complete Catalogue of British Cars |year=1974 |publisher=Macmillan |location=London |id=ISBN 0-333-16689-2]
width = convert|60.75|in|0|abbr=on
height = convert|60|in|0|abbr=on
weight =
wheelbase = convert|96|in|0|abbr=on

The Gazelle was the first Singer to be produced following the take-over of the Singer company by the Rootes Group in 1956 and was a version of the mainstream Hillman Minx differing mainly in retaining the Singer overhead cam engine. Externally the only significant difference was a restyled nose based around a traditional Singer grille.

The Mk II version from autumn 1957 could be bought as an estate car, and had optional overdrive and larger fuel tank.

The suspension was independent at the front using coil springs while at the rear was a live axle and half elliptic leaf springs. The steering gear used a worm and nut system.

As standard, the car had a bench front seat but individual seats were available as an option. To allow for the bench seat, the handbrake lever was between the seat and the door.

The drophead version had a two position hood where it could be either completely lowered or rolled back to just behind the front seats described as the "coupé de ville" position. All side windows could be completely lowered. To compensate for the loss of body rigidity by the removal of the roof, extra cross bracing was fitted under the car.

A car with overdrive was tested by the British magazine The Motor in 1957. It had a top speed of convert|78.0|mph|km/h|abbr=on and could accelerate from 0-convert|60|mph|km/h|abbr=on in 24.8 seconds. A fuel consumption of convert|33.5|mpgimp|L/100 km mpgus was recorded. The test car cost £1016 including taxes of £332. This included the optional overdrive, heater and radio. cite journal | authorlink = Unsigned |title = The Singer Gazelle| journal =The Motor| volume = | pages = | date = December 22, 1957]

Gazelle IIA to IIIC

Infobox Automobile generation
name = Singer Gazelle IIA to IIIC


production = 1958-1963
3824, 10,929, 12,491, 13,272 and 15,115 made
predecessor =
body_style = 4-door saloon, 2-door drophead, estate car
engine = 1494 cc (1592 cc on the IIIC) Straight-4 overhead valve
transmission = 4 speed manual with optional overdrive or automatic
length = convert|163.5|in|0|abbr=on
width = convert|60.75|in|0|abbr=on
height = convert|57.25|in|0|abbr=on
weight =
wheelbase = convert|96|in|0|abbr=on

The main change when the Gazelle II became the IIA was the standard Hillman pushrod overhead valve engine replaced the Singer overhead cam unit. The new engine was more powerful, developing 56 bhp against 49 bhp.

In line with Rootes Group policy the car kept getting small upgrades each with a new designation. In September 1958 the car became the III, got better seats and could be ordered with duo-tone paint.

The IIIA of 1959 gained small tail fins and a larger windscreen. The engine was upgraded with twin Zenith carburettors replacing the single Solex, distinguishing it from the Minx, and lifting output to 60 bhp. Home market cars got a floor gear change and as well as overdrive, Smiths Easidrive automatic transmission also became an option.

The 1960 IIIB reverted to a single carburettor and got a new back axle

A larger engine of 1592 cc developing 53 bhp was fitted to the July 1961 IIIC. The convertible was dropped in February 1962 followed by the estate car in March 1962.

A Series III convertible with the 1494 cc engine was tested by the The Motor in 1959. It was recorded as having a top speed of convert|83.4|mph|km/h|abbr=on and could accelerate from 0-convert|60|mph|km/h|abbr=on in 21.2 seconds. A fuel consumption of convert|32.5|mpgimp|L/100 km mpgus was recorded. The test car cost £1003 including taxes of £295. This included the optional overdrive. The convertible cost £67 more than the saloon.cite journal | authorlink = Unsigned |title = The Singer Gazelle Series III| journal =The Motor| volume = | pages = | date = April 29, 1959]

Gazelle V

Infobox Automobile generation
name = Singer Gazelle V


production = 1963-1965
20,022 made
predecessor =
body_style = 4-door saloon
engine = 1592 cc Straight-4 overhead valve
transmission = 4 speed manual with optional overdrive or automatic
length = convert|164.5|in|0|abbr=on
width = convert|60.75|in|0|abbr=on
height =
weight =
wheelbase = convert|96|in|0|abbr=on

There was no Gazelle IV. The Gazelle V, following the Minx update, had an updated body with longer rear doors and no longer having a wrap around rear window.

The front brakes became discs and from 1964 it got a new gearbox with synchromesh on first gear. The optional Borg Warner automatic got a floor mounted selector lever.

Gazelle VI

Infobox Automobile generation
name = Singer Gazelle VI


production = 1965-1967
1482 made
predecessor =
body_style = 4-door saloon
engine = 1725 cc Straight-4 overhead valve
transmission = 4 speed manual with optional overdrive or automatic
length = convert|166.5|in|0|abbr=on
width = convert|61.75|in|0|abbr=on
height =
weight =
wheelbase = convert|96|in|0|abbr=on

The VI is the last and rarest of the Gazelles. The engine is all new with a five bearing crankshaft and capacity of 1725 cc at first developing 65 bhp but this was later reduced to 59 bhp.

The Singer grille was no longer attached to the opening bonnet but remained fixed to the front panels on opening.

econd generation

For the second generation made between 1967 and 1970, see Rootes Arrow.

References