Singer Twelve

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The Singer Twelve name was used by several automobiles produced by Singer Motors. The "Twelve" in the name referred to the taxation horsepower rating in the United Kingdom.

Singer Motors British motor vehicle manufacturer

Singer Motors Limited was a British motor vehicle manufacturing business, originally a bicycle manufacturer founded as Singer & Co by George Singer, in 1874 in Coventry, England. Singer & Co's bicycle manufacture continued. From 1901 George Singer's Singer Motor Co made cars and commercial vehicles.

Contents

Singer Twelve-Six (1932)

The Twelve-Six was powered by a 1476 cc six-cylinder side-valve engine and was available as either a four-door saloon or four-seat open tourer. [1] A four-speed transmission was fitted.

Singer Twelve-Four (1933-1934)

The new version of the Twelve used a four-cylinder 1440 cc side valve engine, essentially an enlarged version of that fitted to the 1931 Singer Ten. [1] Drive was to the rear axle via a four-speed transmission. Braking was at first by a mechanical system replaced by hydraulics in 1934. It could be had in Saloon, Saloon de-luxe or coupe de luxe versions. The de-luxe option gave the owner all round safety glass, leather upholstery and bumpers. In 1934 the de-luxe also mfeatured clutchless gear changing.

The Singer Ten name was used for several automobiles produced by Singer Motors between 1912 and 1949. The "Ten" in the name referred to the taxation horsepower rating in the United Kingdom.

The number made is not known.

Singer Twelve (1937-1939)

The 1937 car had a 1525 cc overhead camshaft, four-cylinder engine. The car had a separate chassis that was conventional using beam axles and semi-elliptic leaf springs all round and hydraulic brakes. The wheels were of the pressed steel type. The car was available as a standard saloon, Super saloon (from 1938) or drophead coupe.

Beam axle

A beam axle, rigid axle or solid axle is a dependent suspension design, in which a set of wheels is connected laterally by a single beam or shaft. Beam axles were once commonly used at the rear wheels of a vehicle, but historically they have also been used as front axles in rear-wheel-drive vehicles. In most automobiles, beam axles have been replaced by front and rear independent suspensions.

Super Twelve (1947-1949)

1949 Singer Super Twelve 1949 Singer Super 12 Saloon 8431055655.jpg
1949 Singer Super Twelve

After World War II the car was re-launched in 1947 as the Super Twelve with the drophead also still available. The standard saloon was no more. [2]

A top speed of 68 mph (110 km/h) was possible. [2]

1098 were built post war. [3]

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References

  1. 1 2 Michael Sedgwick & Mark Gillies, A-Z of Cars 1930s, Haymarket Publishing Limited, Revised paperback edition published 1993, page 179
  2. 1 2 Graham Robson, A-Z British Cars 1945-80, Herridge & Sons, 2006, page 388
  3. Michael Sedgwick & Mark Gillies, A-Z of Cars 1945-1970, Haymarket Publishing Limited, Revised paperback edition published 1993, page 179