Singer Bantam

Bantam Singer Nine
Bantam 4-door saloon de luxe 972cc 1936 example
Overview
Manufacturer	Singer Motors Limited
Production	1936–1939
Assembly	Coventry, England
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door saloon 4-door saloon 2-door van 2 and 4 seat tourer
Layout	FR layout
Powertrain
Engine	972 cc OHC I4 1074 cc OHC I4
Transmission	single-plate dry clutch,[1] 3-speed manual, syncromesh on top and second gears with central control, needle roller bearings hold the driveshaft which leads to a half floating spiral bevel-driven axle which has spur gear differential[1]
Dimensions
Wheelbase	91 inches (2311 mm) [2]
Length	142 in (3,607 mm) [3] "Bantam" saloon
Width	56 in (1,422 mm)[3]
Height	63 in (1,600 mm)[3]
Kerb weight	15cwt 1,680 lb (760 kg)
Chronology
Predecessor	Singer Nine
Successor	none. Singer SM1500 Singer 9 Roadster

The Bantam Singer Nine is a car which was produced by Singer from 1936 to 1939. It was the first model from Singer to have a Pressed Steel body. It was offered as a new economy model at the 1935 Motor Show in London, replacing the earlier Singer Nine series.

History

There were four models initially, the 2-door and 4-door Bantam Popular as well as the 2-door and 4-door Bantam De-Luxe. All four shared the same basic bodyshell but, whereas the De-Luxe models had a sliding sunroof, the Popular version had a fixed panel over the roof opening.^[4] In the ensuing years, many cars had the sliding roof removed but the presence of the drainage channels front and rear indicates the De-Luxe origins. Other features of the De-Luxe model were leather seats, chrome bumpers and a rear luggage rack.

The Bantam re-used many existing components from the production line. It used the Le Mans' underslung chassis and 972 cc overhead cam engine, although with a lower compression ratio and single Solex carburettor. Power transmission was through a three-speed manual gearbox with synchromesh on third gear. Early models were equipped with wire wheels, while the optional easyclene wheels became standard from 1937. A chromed mascot portraying a flying Bantam chicken was mounted on the radiator surround until this was outlawed by new legislation in 1937.

For 1937 a Tourer model was announced, although few were made and very few survive. The Saloon got an upgrade in 1937 for the 1938 model year. The chassis and suspension were strengthened to take the larger 1074 cc inline-four engine with a stated 30 hp of output,^[3] and the brakes were converted to a cable system.^[4] The bodyshell remained the same apart from an extra chrome trim strip across the doors and changes to the bonnet louvres.

Many surviving Bantam cars are located in Australia and New Zealand. Singer exported these vehicles as rolling chassis with complete powertrain. They were mainly bodied by the Flood company in Australia as Tourers and Roadsters, and this seems to have prompted the development of the Roadster model by Singer in 1939, based on the Bantam chassis and engine combination.

Australian crime writer Charles Shaw took his nom de plume Bant Singer from the car.

• 
  Bantam 2-door saloon 1939
• 
  Bantam tourer
• 
  Bantam van
  1939

Brakes, suspension and steering

The four-wheel brakes are operated hydraulically. They are designed on the Lockheed system. There is also a hand lever fitted with a sensibly shaped trigger to control the back brakes. The springs front and back are half-elliptical with oilite bearings and double-action hydraulic shock absorbers. The rear suspension like the frame passes below the axle. Steering is by worm and nut in a box held by a bracket to the frame.^[1]

Road test

The Times' correspondent reported that the engine pulls strongly and quickly lifts vehicle speed. Though not as quiet as a side-valve it sounds and feels efficient. The change speed lever was a little stiff and vague in action. A slight pause is necessary when changing gear to allow the syncromesh to do its job. The brakes proved effective though they pulled towards the nearside. The driver's position is excellent. "The accelerator might be cranked a little more to the right for the benefit of a large and heavy-footed driver". A comfortable top speed (in poor gusty weather) was 60 mph (97 km/h).^[1]

Roadster

2 / 4 seater 9hp Roadster 1939

In 1939 Singer decided that they needed a more comfortable, but still sporting model in their lineup. Thus, the open four-seater Nine Roadster appeared 6 March 1939^[5] with a lightly tuned version of the larger 1074 cc overhead camshaft engine already seen in the Bantam Nine, as well as that car's three-speed gearbox. In September 1949 the name was changed to Singer 9 Roadster series 4A to herald the introduction of a four-speed transmission, but the model continued to be built in 1.1 litre form until 1953 and in 1½-litre form as Singer SM Roadster until 1955.

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Singer Bantam.