1933 Singer Nine

The Singer Nine, penned by Birmingham-born stylist Eric Neale, made its debut in July of 1932. It was given a robust ladder-frame chassis that featured semi-elliptic leaf-sprung suspension at all four corners, adjustable Andre-Hartford friction dampers, and four-wheel hydraulic 10-inch drum brakes. Under the bonnet was an uprated version of the company's 972cc overhead cam four-cylinder engine fitted with a pair of SU carburetors and offering just over 31 horsepower. The engine was mated to a close-ratio four-speed manual gearbox. Top speed was achieved at nearly 70 mph.

The Singer Nine was awarded eight premier awards during the Christmas 1932 London to Exeter run. The following season, the model distinguished itself on the Monte Carlo Rally, London-to-Edinburgh Trial, and Alpine Six-Day Trial. The crowning achievement was at that year's Le Mans 24 Hour race, where a mildly-tuned example of Barnes and Langley became the first un-supercharged sub-1000cc British car to qualify for the Rudge-Whitworth Biennial Cup.

Launched as an open four-seater Tourer, the 9 Sports could also be purchased as a two-door Fixed Head Coupe from 1933 onwards.

by Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2015