Singer Roadster

Infobox Automobile


name = Singer Roadster
manufacturer = Singer Motor Company
production = 1939–1955 11,063 approx producedcite book |last=Sedgwick |first=Michael |title=A-Z of Cars 1945-1970|year=1993 |publisher=Bay View Books |location=Devon, UK|id=ISBN 1-870979-39-7 ]
assembly = Coventry, England
class =
body_style = 2-door convertible
length = convert|151|in|mm|0|abbr=on
width = convert|58|in|mm|0|abbr=on
height = convert|58|in|mm|0|abbr=on
wheelbase = convert|91|in|mm|0|abbr=on
predecessor = Singer 9 sports
layout = FR layout

The Singer Roadster was launched by the Singer Motor Company in 1939 as an open version of the Bantam saloon. Production was suspended for the duration of World War II following which production of the car was re-started in virtually unchanged form. It was upgraded to the 4A model in 1949 with a four speed manual gearbox. The short lived 4AB and 4AC models came in 1950 followed finally by the 4AD or SM roadster in 1951. The last cars were made in 1955.__TOC__

inger 9 Roadster 1939-1949

Infobox Automobile generation
name = 9 Roadster


production = 1939-1949
engine = 1074 cc I4
transmission = 3-speed manualThe original Roadster was an occasional four seat, two door tourer and had the overhead camshaft, 1074 cc I4 engine used in the Bantam range but tuned slightly to give 36 bhp by fitting a better manifold and downdraught SU carburettor. Performance was handicapped by the use of a three speed gearbox and top speed was in the order of convert|65|mph|km/h|abbr=on.

The body was built in the traditional method of aluminium panels fixed to a wooden framework. The suspension used leaf springs and was non independent with rigid axles front and rear. The brakes were mechanically operated.

Post World War II cars had the chassis stiffened and the engine mounted further forwards.

Nearly all production post war was exported.

inger 4A Roadster 1949-1950

Infobox Automobile generation
name = 4A Roadster
production = 1949-1950 4122 made
engine = 1074 cc I4
transmission = 4-speed manualThe Roadster was updated to the 4A model in 1949 by fitting the four speed gearbox from the Singer Hunter. A Solex carburettor replaced the SU used on the previous car.

Home market cars were very rare.

inger 4AB and 4AC Roadster 1950-1952

Infobox Automobile generation
name = 4AB and 4AC Roadster
production = 1950-1952 1000 approx made
engine = 1074 or 1194 cc I4
transmission = 4-speed manualThe 4AB received a new chassis with independent front suspension by coil springs. The engine remained unchanged but the brakes became a mixed hydraulic/rod system.

The limited production 4AC used a slightly larger 1194 cc engine.

inger 4AD Roadster 1951-1955

Infobox Automobile generation
name = 4AD Roadster


production = 1951-1955 3440 madecite book |last=Robson |first=Graham |title=A to Z of British Cars 1945-1980 |year=2000 |publisher=Herridge |location=Devon, UK |id=ISBN 0-9541063-9-3]
engine = 1497 cc 48 bhp I4
1497 cc 53 bhp I4
transmission = 4-speed manual

The final version of the Roadster used the 48 bhp, 1497 cc engine from the SM1500 saloon fitted to a virtually unchanged chassis and body although the brakes were changed from pure mechanical to a hydraulic/mechanical hybrid system. Power was increased to 58 bhp in 1953 by fitting twin carburettors to the engine.

Although early production was still all for export, from 1953 cars became available on the domestic market.

A car tested by The Motor magazine in 1951 had a top speed of convert|73|mph|km/h|abbr=on and could accelerate from 0-convert|60|mph|km/h|abbr=on in 23.6 seconds. A fuel consumption of convert|25.8|mpgimp|L/100 km mpgus was recorded. No price was quoted for the car as it was for export only. cite journal | authorlink = Unsigned |title = The Singer SM1500 Road Test| journal =The Motor| volume = | pages = | date = September 26 1951]

inger SMX Roadster 1953

This experimental version had a glass fibre body. Probably around 10 were made.

References