More than an old car #213: Singer Roadster

I know that it has been a long while since I wrote a blogpost, what with being caught up in life stuff etc. This 1951 Singer SM Roadster 4AD has been stuck in my drafts for a while, and I figured that it was a good time to finally publish it..

The original Roadster released in 1939 was intended to be the roadster version of the Bantam saloon. Its body was built in the traditional method of aluminum panels fitted to a wooden framework, with brakes being mechanically operated. Production restarted after the war until 1949, with the arrival of the SM Roadster (4A) model. The 4AB model (released in 1950) had a shortened bonnet with curvier and steeper fenders, while the 4AD (released in 1951) was almost identical in bodywork and general specifications.

Both the 4AB and the 4AD were announced by Singer for the 1951 model year, with the 4AB destined for the home market and the 4AD for export only.  The most visible external differences between the 4AB and the 4AD were the bumpers, which were now larger and more rounded and the tail lights, which were mounted on long extension housings attached to the rear fenders. The 4AD also had a more powerful engine compared to the 4AB. Reviews noted that the 4AD was "a lively open tourer with a performance that falls somewhere between that of a similarly powered saloon and an out-and-out sporting car”.

The Singer 4AD Roadster was powered by a 1496 cc inline-4 engine, allowing it to reach a top speed of 117 km/h with an acceleration of 23.6 seconds [0-60 mph]. It had dimensions of 3835 x 1473 x 1486 mm and weighed in at 810 kg, with a fuel capacity of 10.9 litres / 100 km. 

Production of the Singer Roadster ended in 1955 with 3,440 4AD models made. A few units existed in Singapore previously, and this particular one was imported and registered in 1978. As the only unit here currently, it does not appear much except during the F1 drivers' parade: Fernando Alonso, Nico Hulkenberg, Romain Grosjean and Jenson Button have been ferried in it. Despite being 1 of 5 Singer cars in the country, it is amazing how someone appreciated the car well enough to bring it here long ago..hopefully you will be able to recognise it at the next F1 parade!