Singer Bantam
| Industry | Automotive |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1936 |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom |
| Products | Cars (Singer Bantam) |
The Singer Bantam was manufactured by Singer between 1936 and 1939. It represented Singer's inaugural model featuring an all-steel body, produced by the Pressed Steel Company. Unveiled at the 1935 London Motor Show, the Bantam was designed as an economical successor to the earlier Singer Nine lineup.
History
Based on the Singer Nine and styled with strong influence from the Ford Model Y, the Bantam debuted with two body styles and trim options: 2-door and 4-door, available in Popular or De-Luxe variants. Both trims shared a common body shell; however, De-Luxe versions included a sliding sunroof, leather upholstery, chrome bumpers, and a rear luggage rack, whereas Popular models were fitted with a fixed roof panel.
The Bantam incorporated numerous parts from Singer’s existing inventory, such as the Le Mans’ underslung chassis and 972 cc overhead cam engine, albeit tuned with a reduced compression ratio and equipped with a single Solex carburettor. Power transmission was managed through a three-speed manual gearbox featuring synchromesh on third gear. Initial versions came with wire wheels, but by 1937 easyclene wheels became standard equipment. A chromed flying Bantam hood ornament adorned early models until its prohibition in 1937.
In 1937, a limited-edition Tourer variant was launched. The 1938 Saloon received enhancements including a reinforced chassis and suspension to support a larger 1074 cc inline-four engine delivering 30 hp, along with cable-operated braking systems. The body saw subtle updates such as an added chrome trim strip and redesigned bonnet louvres.
Numerous Bantams remain extant in Australia and New Zealand, where Singer exported rolling chassis complete with powertrains. Australian coachbuilder Flood primarily constructed these as tourers and roadsters, which subsequently influenced Singer’s 1939 roadster model built on the Bantam chassis and engine.
Brakes, suspension and steering
The vehicle’s braking system consists of hydraulically operated four-wheel brakes using the Lockheed design, complemented by a hand lever featuring a trigger to engage the rear brakes. Both front and rear suspensions employ half-elliptical springs with oilite bearings combined with double-action hydraulic shock absorbers. The rear suspension assembly and frame are positioned beneath the axle. Steering is facilitated through a worm-and-nut mechanism mounted within a bracket secured to the frame.
Road test
A correspondent from The Times highlighted the engine’s robust torque and rapid acceleration. While not as silent as a side-valve engine, it demonstrated commendable efficiency. The gear lever was noted as somewhat stiff, requiring a brief pause to allow synchromesh engagement. The brakes performed effectively but exhibited a slight pull towards the nearside. Driver ergonomics were praised for comfort, although the accelerator pedal might require adjustment for taller drivers. The vehicle achieved a comfortable top speed of approximately 60 mph (97 km/h) under adverse weather conditions.
Motor sport
Tom Brady clinched victory in the 1939 Australian Stock Car Road Championship driving a Singer Bantam.
Roadster
On 6 March 1939, Singer released the open four-seat Nine Roadster, equipped with a mildly tuned 1074 cc overhead camshaft engine derived from the Bantam Nine and paired with a three-speed gearbox. In September 1949, it was rebranded as the Singer 9 Roadster series 4A coinciding with the introduction of a four-speed transmission. Production persisted using the 1.1-litre engine until 1953, followed by continuation with a 1½-litre variant marketed as the Singer SM Roadster up to 1955.