Singer Nine
| Industry | Automotive |
|---|---|
| Founded | February 1933 |
| Fate | Ceased production of Singer Nine in 1949 |
| Products | Singer Nine cars, vans, and Roadster models |
The Singer Nine was manufactured by Singer Motors Limited initially from February 1933 until 1937, and then resumed production as a Roadster model between 1939 and 1949. Launched as an affordable alternative to the previous Junior range, the "Nine" power unit was briefly fitted into the Junior bodywork during 1932 production challenges, resulting in the unique "Junior Nine" variant, distinguishable by its distinctive cursive "Nine" badge on the radiator grille.
In 1936, the Nine saloon was replaced by the more compact Bantam Singer Nine, although sportier versions remained available until they were succeeded by the Bantam-derived Nine Roadster in 1939.
Singer also produced a limited number of six "Nine" 5cwt vans, with only one example still existing today. This particular van is notable for its extensive use throughout World War II by the construction firm Harry Kilminster Ltd.
History
The Nine was equipped with an overhead camshaft engine, which was an evolution of the earlier powerplant used in the 8HP Junior. An early form of this engine was showcased as the "Junior Nine" at the 1931 Olympia Motor Show prior to the official launch of the Nine. The power unit generated , coupled with a four-speed manual transmission.
Saloon
Nine Sports and variants
Starting in October 1933, Singer introduced a four-seat tourer known as the "Nine Sports," characterized by shortened front wings and the absence of running boards. One of these cars secured thirteenth place at the 1933 24 Hours of Le Mans. To commemorate this achievement, the sporty two-seater Singer Le Mans was launched, featuring twin Solex carburettors that produced at 4600 rpm and could reach speeds of with the windshield lowered—offering competitive performance at an accessible price.
The Nine Sports demonstrated strong endurance credentials, finishing second in its class at the 1933 Alpine Six Days Trial (Coupe Internationale des Alpes). Despite its rated horsepower, the engine’s two-bearing crankshaft restricted sustainable revolutions to around 3600 rpm, effectively capping usable output at approximately 28 bhp.
By 1934, front wings were lengthened to provide improved protection for side paintwork. In 1935, running boards were reintroduced alongside larger doors and a more rounded rear design on what became known as the "Long-tail Nine." This update coincided with a four-seat version of the Le Mans model. The arrival of the Bantam Nine in 1936 brought a refined three-bearing engine, resulting in discontinuation of the original Nine by 1937. Nevertheless, the "Nine" designation continued with the Bantam-based Roadster from 1939 until production ceased in 1949, extending through models such as 4A/4AB up to 1953.
Le Mans
Produced between 1933 and 1937, the Nine Le Mans featured a tuned-up 972 cc inline-four engine enhanced with stronger valve tappets, an inclined camshaft, and a larger cast aluminium oil sump. This increased output to a reliable , mated to a close-ratio gearbox. The chassis design was lowered behind the radiator shell, creating an underslung rear frame that gave it a sleeker profile compared to the standard Sports model. Its competition-focused design omitted running boards and included an external fuel tank plus dual spare wheels mounted at the rear axle for added weight distribution. Unlike rival MG models, Singer equipped this car with more effective hydraulic Lockheed brakes. While it did not achieve significant success at Le Mans itself, it earned numerous victories in hillclimbs, trials, and endurance competitions such as the Liège-Rome-Liège and Alpine Cup Rally. A four-seat variant was introduced in 1935 that combined elements from both Sports and standard Le Mans versions.
Special Speed
In 1935, Singer unveiled the Special Speed, which featured a more spacious passenger area achieved by relocating the spare wheels, running boards, and installing a larger fuel tank. The engine received enhancements including twin vertical Solex carburettors, an inclined spark plug cylinder head, a heavier flywheel, and a counterbalanced crankshaft. This model succeeded the Le Mans for the 1936 and 1937 production years.
Le Mans Replica
Also introduced in 1935, the high-performance Le Mans Replica was priced at more than double that of the standard Le Mans. Only four units were manufactured, all retained by Singer until after the 1939 racing season. One of these secured first place in the one-litre category at the 1935 24 Hours of Le Mans and finished second in its class. The Replica also competed in races at Brooklands, Donington, and the Ulster Tourist Trophy. It featured a 10:1 compression ratio alongside other engine modifications and utilized a steel channel-section streamlined body instead of traditional ash construction, with Electrum replacing cast aluminium. These changes reduced weight from to , enabling speeds exceeding .
Although sold as "replicas" to meet production criteria for TT races, these vehicles exhibited significant mechanical differences—including unique chassis designs, front axles, body mountings, and modified differential ratios—and delivered greater power and speed than their namesake models. Three out of four entered the 1935 Le Mans event; all four still exist today, with three remaining operational.
Carburettors
The majority of Singer Nines came equipped with Solex 30 IF "down-draught" carburettors, while some were fitted with 30 FHG horizontal types—although few of these have survived. After World War II, Solex initiated a complimentary upgrade program allowing owners to replace their original 30 IF or FHG carburettors with modern cast aluminium versions: the 30 FAI (vertical) or 30 AHG (horizontal). The original carburettors were melted down and reformed into these updated models.
Throughout the 1930s, various carburettor types were installed across Singer’s engine range. The Junior, Nine, 14hp, 1.5 Litre, and 2 Litre engines typically employed single or twin Solex carburettors depending on the variant, with saloon models generally using single units. The experimental 1.5 Litre Crossflow engine—limited to just 72 cars—was equipped with twin SU carburettors; only eight examples are known to survive. Some later Junior models from 1930 and 1931 featured single SU carburettors before the 1932 "Junior Nine" reverted to Solex units.
Roadster
The Roadster was a version of the Bantam Singer Nine. After a period of absence from this segment, Singer cautiously returned to the sports tourer market by launching the open-top four-seater Nine Roadster on 6 March 1939. It incorporated a lightly tuned variant of the larger 1074 cc overhead camshaft engine derived from the Bantam Nine and shared its three-speed transmission.
Singer Commercials
Singer manufactured a limited selection of commercial vehicles, with only a small number surviving today.
Singer Nine Van
Just six Singer Nine vans were produced; only one—a 1934 model—remains in use by a small firm located in Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire. Another was dismantled in 1953 due to engine failure. The remaining four are believed to have been scrapped following their service lives.
Singer Ten Van
Produced in greater quantities than the Nine van, the Singer Ten van supported various team events for Singer’s racing division. Despite its comparative success over the Nine van, only a single example survives today at the Coventry Industrial Museum.