07/06/2025
1934 Singer 1½ Litre Tourer
Representing Singer's ambitious move into six-cylinder sports car territory, this British tourer achieved international recognition at the 1934 Le Mans race, where Singer cars finished 7th and 8th in class.
Styled by Eric Neale with classic pre-war features (including prominent grillework, cutaway doors, and sweeping fenders), the design echoed the larger M45 Lagonda, while remaining significantly more compact than many competitors.
Built on a lowered ladder-frame chassis with semi-elliptic leaf springs and 18-inch Rudge knock-off wire wheels, the tourer featured four-wheel Lockheed hydraulic drum brakes for reliable stopping power. The elegant proportions balanced sporting character with practical open-air touring capabilities.
Power came from a 1,493cc overhead camshaft six-cylinder engine producing approximately 48–52 horsepower, depending on carburetor configuration. The smooth, vibration-free powerplant pulled strongly between 8–20 mph in either third or fourth gear and enabled effortless cruising at 70 mph, with top speeds approaching 80 mph.
Production was extremely limited, with only 77 Sports Tourers and 71 Le Mans versions built during 1933–1934, making surviving examples exceptionally rare today.
