In honor of the upcoming All British Field Meet at Portland International Raceway, I felt compelled to cover this unusual model from a rare marque. Not only is this Singer Gazelle a convertible, its top operates like a three-position drophead: either up, down, or folded back above the front passengers only. Listed here on eBay with bidding at $2400 in a no-reserve auction, this Singer is mostly disassembled and will need a complete restoration. Let’s make a roster of the work relative to this car’s value…
Singer’s first product was bicycles, then it graduated to motorbikes, and in 1905, automobiles. Interestingly, George Singer left Coventry Sewing Machine Company to launch his business – and so did William Hillman, founder of Hillman Motor Car Company. The two would become irrevocably twinned once under the umbrella of Rootes Group in the mid-1950s. In fact, the Singer Gazelle is a badge-engineered Hillman Minx, aimed at the buyer pining for a bit more panache than the Minx afforded. Originally powered by a 1.5-liter four-cylinder, this example comes with two engines, one of them a Sunbeam Alpine Ser V 1725 cc four – also found from ’65 on in the Gazelle VI and VII. Three transmissions are with the car, including a four-speed manual paired with the Alpine engine, a funky Sunbeam automatic, and the manual that lived in the engine bay when the car was first acquired by the seller. (This is where I tell the seller, ‘no, no, you can keep the automatic, really, I insist…’) It’s buyer’s choice, since the engine bay is mostly empty at this point…
The interior is stripped of its front seats, but they’re with the car. The rear seat backs remain in place. Photos show plenty of parts, including new items purchased by the seller for the Gazelle’s prospective restoration. Though it doesn’t look it now, this interior was a differentiator in the Rootes line-up, providing a better level of trim, comfort, and equipment than the lowly Minx. For top-class plush, though, try a later Gazelle, with its polished wood dash and door caps.
Rust has chewed into various nooks and crannies, so let’s add paint and bodywork to the job roster. The seller notes that the convertible top will require repair or replacement; no worries – the Convertible Top Guys can ship a new one off for about $700.
If you detect a bit of Raymond Loewy in the design lines, good eye: his studio consulted with Rootes Group to finalize the Gazelle’s styling. In the realm of Singer Gazelles, this body style is the one to have. Though finding examples of any type for sale in the states is difficult, a scattered few results suggest prices struggle to break five figures, even for the “drophead”. The current bid is all the money, even for a passion project. But if you must own a Gazelle – well, beggers can’t be choosers.
I had a saloon version with the 1500 engine. Blew it up on the M6. Bits of smoking hot pieces of engine on the carriageway. Low oil pressure was a serious problem.Replaced the engine with a 1600 low mileage from a write off. On a plus side one of the most pleasant cars I have ever driven. The 1725 engine lightly tuned would be just right. Hope this one has a full restoration and the new owner has many years pleasure out of it.
I thought it was a HIllman at first glance
Nice write-up, Michelle, this is a very correct and rare car but hard to know who would love it enough to lose money in restoring it. When finished, it would still be what it is…..
Just to inform you about mid 1950s middle class UK, Michelle. “Panache ” was the last thing anyone wanted. That would be vulgar and have people talking in the wrong way. What was required – and Singer had become the perfect expression of this (Wolseley having the same role in the BMC portfolio) – was studied mediocrity of slightly higher standing than your neighbour ´s Hillman (Morris or- shudder- Austin).
Aim too high at Humber (Riley) territory and you would be a despicable social climber (the worst kind – know your place). Sunbeam (MG) was for cads without a family – perhaps just made acceptable by distinguished WW2 military service. But the Singer was just right for the pipe smoking father promoted to his comfortable first level of incompetence. Not a convertible, obviously.
Uh-oh, I’m a cad!
Just curious…why “shudder – Austin”? My Canadian grandfather drove Austins until he died in 1973. Being an American iron fanatic kid I knew little about them. How were they “stratified” in English car culture. Would appreciate your thoughts.
Wonderful post, Martin!
Thanks-
perfect, needed today, smart lill (92 inch WB) car.
Vert & LHD justa big plus added bringing it over the top.
B tempted to hop up abit w/the cross flow (efi/turbo?) @
breaks and suspension. May B 5 speed for fun?
Painted the 2Tone above but w/reverse colors and chrome brought back…
https://www.classic.com/veh/1958-singer-gazelle-iii-convertible-a7909977lcx-nwgbjXn/
Plus some Holbay parts!
My sister’s first car was a Minx. It was pretty much a miserable piece. It was noisy,, the transmission sang in any gear but top, but most of all it was gutless. I would like to hope that the Singer had a good bit more power than the Minx. Hers was also a drop top like this and part of the process of folding the top was to release two thumbscrews one on each side just above the drivers and passengers’ heads that locked a hinge there and scissoring those pieces inward toward the inside of the car which opened the first half of the top. Those were positively dangerous to put back into place as if you got your fingers in the wrong place you were likely to lose big chunks of skin, if not entire appendages. It served for a year and a half and then she graduated to a new big Healey, which was a massive improvement over the tired MInx.