Singer Junior.
The first Singer Junior photograph was kindly sent over by Nigel in 2008, it shows a typical four-door saloon parked on a suburban driveway in the 1930s. Note the enclosed battery box fitted to the nearside running board, and the car's two-tone colour scheme. As this example has the split-horizontal windscreen, I think it dates to 1928 or thereabouts, the model having been introduced in 1926. The engine was an 848cc overhead cam unit, rated at 8HP (RAC), producing 16.5bhp.
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1931 Singer Junior.
In 2012 I was sent an envelope of paperwork regarding the purchase of a brand new Wolseley Nine in 1935. Part-exchanged against the new car was the Singer shown below, a 1931 Junior four-door saloon. The owners of the Singer were the Hassell family, of High Road in Leytonstone E10. The seller of the new Wolseley, Ray Powell Ltd, allowed 56 GBP for the old Singer against its replacement. The 1931 Junior benefited from upgrades such as a four-speed gearbox, and increased engine oil capacity, it now becoming a 9HP car rather than 8HP. Paperwork relating to the purchase of the Wolseley at Ray Powell Ltd can now be found on this page.
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The first photograph is an offside view of the car, taken on wet day. The rear luggage rack has cases strapped to it, suggesting that the family were on a day trip out, or perhaps on their holidays.
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The second snapshot sees three members of the family posed with the car. Perhaps they'd pulled over for a quick cup of tea (the middle lady is holding a teapot), or else they were preparing to pitch up a tent. There are a number of differences visible on this car, when compared to the earlier saloon shown at the top of this page. Key difference is the fitment of a one-piece windscreen, the shallower scuttle, and general revisions to the overall shape of the coachwork.
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Late-twenties' saloon.
The solid disc wheels on this saloon suggest a date of 1928 or thereabouts for the following Singer, a four-door saloon that could be purchased with either fabric-bodied or steel coachwork (this appears to be the former). Advertisements of the day praise its "high efficiency engine", "four-wheel brakes which make skidding almost impossible", and a specification that "reads like that of a Car costing more than twice as much". In fairness, the spec was pretty impressive for a car of its class. The standard car included features such as adjustable front seats, four (wide) doors, five lamps, sliding built-in luggage grid, a Jaeger speedometer, a horn, and Tecalemit high-pressure chassis lubrication, all included in the price of 165 GBP.
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Here, a well-dressed gent stands leaning against the car's radiator, while a young lady props herself up on the nearside running board. Where this quiet road was isn't recorded.
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Return to Page 16 in the photograph gallery.
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Enthusiasts of the Junior may also be interested to see this garage's letter from 1931. It relates to the possible part-ex of a Morris against a Singer Junior saloon. I'd recommend having a good look around the old photo section of the site, as there are quite a few early images of Singers, spread over several pages.
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