1935 Singer 9 Le Mans ‘Longtail’

Highlights

• Carefully restored by marque experts to factory specification
• One of only 40 known survivors from a total production of 400
• Singer Owners Club Dating Certificate
• Documented history back to its delivery in July 1935
• Driven to the 1978 Le Mans 24-hour race
• Beautiful and exceptionally rare survivor

The Appeal

Before he went on to design big Jensen GTs, Eric Neale penned the exquisite Singer 9. For those who wanted extra oomph, there was the high-performance ‘Le Mans’ and, for those wanting that plus space for four, there was the swooping ‘Longtail.’

Light and nimble, the Le Mans Longtail founds its true calling as a successful trials and rally car. It was only built in 1935 and just 400 left the Coventry production line. 40 are believed to survive.

This car is one of them, a magnificent example that comes with a huge history file dating back to its first registration. It is well known to the Singer Owners Club and was restored in the late Noughties by marque experts. The work included renovating the body and respraying it to a high standard in the original ivory colour with a retrimmed green interior. The wheel, hood and tonneau are also new.

This little Singer is as well presented as its history is comprehensive. Few Le Mans Longtails change hands so don’t miss this one.

History and Paperwork

• First registered on 12th July 1935
• DVLA records four registered keepers
• Current keeper from June 2024
• Delivered in Ivory and Green colours to dealer Ray Abbott Ltd in Harrow Weald
• Sold the same day by Wembley Court Motors
• First owner, Mr J.S. Winney of Hampstead Garden Suburbs
• Acquired in 1968 by Gifford Wright, a longstanding member and later Editor of the Singer Owners Club
• Owned by John Hankin from 1978
• Driven to the 1978 Le Mans 24-hour race
• Also driven to 1980 Dutch Singer Club's first Lustrum Rally
• Underwent a complete ground-up rebuild starting in the late 1980s
• Acquired by the previous keeper in February 2015, who completed the restoration
• Comes with the Singer Owners Club Dating Certificate
• Historic tax discs included in the history file
• MOT exempt due to age
• Photos documenting historic work carried out are included
• Low number of registered keepers throughout its life
• Always garaged by previous and current keepers

Summary of restoration:

• Bodywork renovations by Tim Barker in 2015
• Resprayed in original ivory in 2015
• Retrimmed and new wheel fitted 2017
• New hood and tonneau in 2019

The Condition

• ‘Longtail’ car with Le Mans ‘dropped chassis’ and four-seat layout
• Professionally repainted in its original cream colour in 2015
• Colour matched for respray from traces found under the original paint
• Paintwork matched with green seam piping as shown
• Paintwork presents well with minor age likely due to older repaint
• Green wire wheels to complement the body colour
• New running boards, front apron and bonnet panels fitted by specialist Tim Barker in 2015
• New green leather trim and seats installed following the respray in 2017
• Fitted with a new steering wheel at the same time as the retrim
• New hood and tonneau cover made and fitted by Phoenix Trimmers in 2019
• Dual cowl dashboard with wood veneers and classic dials in good order
• Original tools included
• Supplied with folding black roof and matching tonneau cover

The Mechanics

• Le Mans specification high-performance 34hp 972cc OHC engine
• Four-speed close-ratio Le Mans manual gearbox
• Hydraulic brakes
• The vendor states that the car drives well
• Returned to road use in October 2019 after nearly 30 years off the road
• Used regularly but sparingly since returning to the road
• Detailed history since 1935, including ownership by several Singer Club members

BEFORE YOU BUY

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