Singer 9HP
Le Mans Sports 4-Seater - BSG 8 

BSG 8's story, by Sandy (Alex) Fairbairn

In the winter of 1949, I purchased from a garage in Milnathort a Singer 9 Sports Coupe, which had a broken crankshaft and chassis.

Singer back on the road.  Early 1990s

I completely dismantled and examined the car, then started searching for a crankshaft.  I tried the local agent, Singer Motors and scrap yards, but was unsuccessful.  Also during this period I overhauled most of the other units.

In 1952 I purchased a 1938 Singer Van which was the last of this range of vehicle.  The engine was almost similar to the Singer, but the chassis although undamaged was underslung at the rear.  I also completely dismantled this van, overhauled the chassis, fitted new springs and shackles.  The engine was assembled with all necessary new parts as required.  The chassis, rear axle casing and engine were assembled with the coupe front axle, hubs, rudge wheels, brakes, gearbox and radiator.  The chassis as above (i.e. without the body) was road-tested for approximately 135 miles, mainly on the Lomond Hills.  All the necessary new parts were supplied by 'Singer Motors', who also gave information and loaned drawings freely.

Refurbished wheels ready to put back on.  Circa 1992 at Christie Street, Dunfermline

One cannot imagine a car manufacturer being so helpful today, with a vehicle 20 years old.

Due to business and family commitments, the project was put aside for 22 years.  My wife and two sons were not interested in the object in the garage attic.

However, at this stage I had two offers and was most surprised when the family said, "Do not sell".  One of the offers was from a Singer Owners Club member who invited me to re-join the club, and as the sports coupe and van bodies had been discarded, he offered to pick up a suitable body.

BSG 8 on trailer at a Singer National Day in 1990s

Eventually, a 1935 Sports 4-seater body was located and collected from Swansea.  This body was rebuilt and fitted to the van chassis, the coupe seats were modified, recovered and fitted.  A front screen was altered to sit hood irons, side curtain frames were made up and all covered. 

BSG 8 was running again in June 1992.  It was tested twice round the block and then driven to Derby.  It averaged 37mpg from Dunfermline to Boroughbridge in Yorkshire.  From Boroughbridge to Ashbourne, Chatsworth and Jedburgh it averaged 54mpg.  This was due to a small rubber elbow on a vacuum gauge pipe being perished and drawing excess air.  It ran at 52 to 55mph, at 3,250 to 3,500rpm, for the above journey, which I thoroughly enjoyed.

Display in cellar at Christie Street, Dunfermline, of Alex's Singer history

I have made up and fitted a full flow oil filter and hydraulic operated clutch.  A water pump from a six cylinder Le-Mans has been adapted and fitted.

One might ask, 'Why a Singer?'.  Well, it just happened to be there at the time and almost everyone said Singers were hopeless cars.  If it had been another make I would probably have gone through the same stages, but I wonder if I would have had the same assistance from another manufacturer as I had from Singer Motors?

I have gained a lot of experience, made many good friends and thoroughly enjoyed it all.

Alex and BSG 8 at (I think) Doune Motor Museum

To any member who would like a more detailed account of any one section, I shall be only too glad to give it.

2^nd March 1992