# Singer Bantam > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Singer_Bantam > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Singer_Bantam.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singer_Bantam > Source revision: 1153509331 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2017}} {{Use British English|date=March 2017}} {{Infobox automobile | image = 1936 Singer Bantam Saloon 4331079814.jpg | name = ''Bantam'' Singer Nine | caption = Bantam 4-door saloon de luxe 972cc
1936 example | manufacturer = [Singer Motors Limited](/source/Singer_Motors) | production = 1936–1939 | assembly = [Coventry](/source/Coventry), [England](/source/England) | class = | body_style = 2-door [saloon](/source/sedan_(car))
4-door saloon
2-door [van](/source/van)
2 and 4 seat tourer | engine = * {{unbulleted list | 972 cc [OHC](/source/Overhead_camshaft) [I4](/source/Inline-four_engine)}} * {{unbulleted list | 1074 cc OHC I4 }} | transmission = single-plate dry clutch, 3-speed [manual](/source/Manual_transmission), synchromesh on top and second gears with central control, needle roller bearings hold the driveshaft which leads to a half floating spiral bevel-driven axle which has spur gear differentialCars Of To-Day. '' The Times'', Friday, 21 February 1936; pg. 8; Issue 47304 | length = {{convert|142|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}
"Bantam" saloon | width = {{convert|56|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} | height = {{convert|63|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} | weight = 15cwt
{{convert|1680|lb|kg|abbr=on}} | wheelbase = 91 inches (2311 mm) {{cite book |last=Culshaw |author2=Horrobin |title=Complete Catalogue of British Cars |year=1974 |publisher=Macmillan |location=London |isbn=0-333-16689-2}} | predecessor = [Singer Nine](/source/Singer_Nine) | successor = * none. [Singer SM1500](/source/Singer_SM1500) * [Singer 9 Roadster](/source/Singer_Roadster) | sp = uk | layout = [FR layout](/source/FR_layout) }} {{Infobox automobile engine | name = ''Bantam'' Singer Nine | image = | manufacturer = [Singer Motors Limited](/source/Singer_Motors) | aka = | production = | predecessor = [Singer Nine](/source/Singer_Nine) | successor = none | configuration = inline four | displacement = * 972 cc * 1074 cc | bore = 60 | stroke = * 86 * 95 | block = iron, 2 main bearings | head = detachable | valvetrain = overhead camshaft and valves | compression = | supercharger = | turbocharger = | fuelsystem = horizontal carburettor, electric fuel pump on dashboard | management = | fueltype = | oilsystem = forced | coolingsystem = natural circulation | power = *25.75 @ 4,200 rpm * 30 @ 4,200 rpm Tax 8.93HP | specpower = | torque = | length = | width = | height = | diameter = | weight = }} The '''Singer Bantam''' is a car which was produced by [Singer](/source/Singer_Motors) from 1936 to 1939. It was the first model from Singer to have an all-steel body, by [Pressed Steel Company](/source/Pressed_Steel_Company). It was offered as a new economy model at the 1935 Motor Show in [London](/source/London), replacing the earlier Singer Nine series. ==History== Derived from the [Singer Nine](/source/Singer_Nine), with styling a close copy of the [Ford Model Y](/source/Ford_Model_Y),Wise, David Burgess. "Singer: A Car for Every Purse and Purpose" in Ward, Ian, Executive Editor. ''The World of Automobiles'' (London: Orbis, 1974), Volume 18, p.2071. it debuted with two models and two trim levels: 2- and 4-door, either Popular or De-Luxe. All four shared the same basic bodyshell but, whereas the De-Luxe models had a sliding [sunroof](/source/sunroof), the Popular version had a fixed panel in the roof.{{cite book |last=Sedgwick |first=M. |title=A-Z of Cars of the 1930s |year=1989 |publisher=Bay View Books |location=Devon, UK |isbn=1-870979-38-9}} Other features of the De-Luxe model were leather seats, [chrome](/source/chrome_plating) bumpers, and a rear luggage rack. The Bantam re-used many existing components from the Singer parts bin. It used the [Le Mans](/source/Singer_Nine)' underslung [chassis](/source/chassis) and 972 cc [overhead cam](/source/overhead_cam) engine, although with a lower [compression ratio](/source/compression_ratio) and single [Solex](/source/Solex_Carburetor) [carburettor](/source/carburettor). Power transmission was through a three-speed [manual](/source/manual_transmission) gearbox with [synchromesh](/source/Manual_transmission) on third gear. Early models were equipped with wire wheels, while the optional easyclene wheels became standard from 1937. A chromed mascot portraying a flying Bantam chicken was mounted on the radiator surround until this was outlawed by new legislation in 1937. For 1937 a Tourer model was announced, although few were made and very few survive. The Saloon got an upgrade in 1937 for the 1938 model year. The chassis and [suspension](/source/Suspension_(vehicle)) were strengthened to take the larger 1074 cc [inline-four engine](/source/inline-four_engine) with a stated 30 hp of output,{{cite journal| title = Second Hand car guide supplement| series = vol| journal = Practical Motorist| volume = 6 Nbr 68| pages = between pages 768 & 769 |date = April 1960}} and the brakes were converted to a cable system. The bodyshell remained the same apart from an extra chrome trim strip across the doors and changes to the bonnet louvres. Many Bantams survive in [Australia](/source/Australia) and [New Zealand](/source/New_Zealand). Singer exported these vehicles as rolling chassis with complete [powertrain](/source/powertrain). They were mainly bodied by the Flood company in Australia as tourers and roadsters, and this seems to have prompted the development of the roadster model by Singer in 1939, based on the Bantam chassis and engine.{{cn|date=August 2018}} Singer Bantam 9 (1939) (15476914220).jpg|1939 2-door saloon Singer Bantam Roadster 6827707088.jpg|Tourer Singer Bantam Van (7202009778).jpg|1939 van {{Clear left}} ==Brakes, suspension and steering== The four-wheel brakes are operated hydraulically. They are designed on the Lockheed system. There is also a hand lever fitted with a sensibly shaped trigger to control the back brakes. The springs front and back are half-elliptical with oilite bearings and double-action hydraulic shock absorbers. The rear suspension like the frame passes below the axle. Steering is by worm and nut in a box held by a bracket to the frame. ==Road test== ''The Times''' correspondent reported that the engine pulls strongly and quickly lifts vehicle speed. Though not as quiet as a side-valve it sounds and feels efficient. The change speed lever was a little stiff and vague in action. A slight pause is necessary when changing gear to allow the synchromesh to do its job. The brakes proved effective though they pulled towards the nearside. The driver's position is excellent. "The accelerator might be cranked a little more to the right for the benefit of a large and heavy-footed driver". A comfortable top speed (in poor gusty weather) was {{convert|60|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}. thumb|left|1939 Singer Bantam {{clear}} ==Motor sport== [[File:Singer Bantam of Tom Brady (1939).jpg|thumb|Tom Brady won the [1939 Australian Stock Car Road Championship](/source/1939_Australian_Stock_Car_Road_Championship) driving a Singer Bantam]] Tom Brady won the [1939 Australian Stock Car Road Championship](/source/1939_Australian_Stock_Car_Road_Championship) driving a Singer Bantam. {{clear}} ==Roadster== thumb|2 / 4 seater 9hp Roadster 1939 {{main|Singer Roadster}} In 1939 Singer decided that they needed a more comfortable, but still sporting model in their lineup. Thus, the open four-seater Nine Roadster appeared 6 March 1939Cars Of To-Day. ''The Times'', Wednesday, 16 August 1939; pg. 8; Issue 48385 with a lightly tuned version of the larger 1074 cc overhead camshaft engine already seen in the Bantam Nine, as well as that car's three-speed gearbox. In September 1949 the name was changed to '''Singer 9 Roadster series 4A''' to herald the introduction of a four-speed transmission, but the model continued to be built in 1.1 litre form until 1953 and in 1½-litre form as ''Singer SM Roadster'' until 1955. == References == {{commons category|Singer Bantam}} {{Reflist}} Bantam Category:Cars introduced in 1936 Category:Vehicles introduced in 1936 --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Singer Bantam](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singer_Bantam) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singer_Bantam?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.