5th Apr, 2025 11:00

The April 2025 Auction

1953 Singer 4AD Roadster
Beautifully presented older restoration

Estimate
£11,000 - £13,000

 Lot details

Registration: UVS 731
Chassis: A16006689LCO
Odometer: 34,000
Transmission: Manual
MOT: February 2025

• Restored by marque specialist in the early Nineties
• Only 2 UK registered keepers
• Current owner for the last 30 years
• Double duck hood
• Lovely condition

The Singer 4AD Roadster was a British sports car produced by Singer Motors in the late 1940s and early 1950s. It was an evolution of the Singer 9 Roadster, featuring a more refined design and improved mechanical components. Introduced in 1949, the 4AD was powered by a 1,497cc overhead-cam engine, delivering around 48 horsepower, and was equipped with independent front suspension and hydraulic brakes, making it a competitive option for its time. The car had a distinctive, curvy body with sweeping wings, a folding soft top, and a two-seater layout with an optional rear seat. While it was not as fast as some of its contemporaries, the 4AD was praised for its handling and reliability. Singer exported many of these roadsters, particularly to the U.S. market, where they were seen as affordable alternatives to MG and Triumph models. However, Singer Motors struggled financially in the 1950s, leading to its acquisition by the Rootes Group in 1956, marking the end of the 4AD’s production and the era of Singer sports cars.

We are delighted to offer this 1952 Singer 4AD Roadster in Sapphire Blue with tan leather interior. Initially the car went for export to the USA but was brought back to the UK sometime around the early Nineties by the late Trevor Cornelius, a renowned Singer Roadster restorer who would regularly cross the Atlantic to repatriate Singers for spares or restoration. He had been commissioned to restore a 4AD for the Singer Bank to be given as a promotional prize, however, after three months the recipient asked Trevor to sell it as he was not interested in classic cars. It was at this point, some 30 years ago, that our vendor took on the car. Trevor had stripped the car back to the chassis and rebuilt to factory standard, reconditioning both the engine and gearbox. At the time of purchase, the car was showing 34,010 miles and our vendor has done another 7,000 miles or so since then, enjoying taking it to shows and meets where it has a number of awards. He has fitted a dashboard clock, water temperature gauge, indicators and emergency lights, making this a very useable classic.

Despite this being an older restoration, this little Roadster presents beautifully and has clearly been cherished. The brightwork is in lovely condition and contrasts nicely with the navy paintwork. The double duck hood appears free from any rips and tears, and the plastic windows are clear with no milkiness. The rubbers all look quite fresh but the sidewalls of the tyres have some cracking and might want looking at before long. The inside is as nice as the exterior, the tan leather seats being supple and free from obvious damage and the wood being in nice condition. The hood lining and door cards are clean and it’s pleasing to see it retains a charming banjo-style wheel.

The car comes with a V5C, a collection of MOTs, a bundle of restoration photos, some invoices and a Singer Roadster handbook.

It may be 55 years since the last Singer-badged car was produced but there remains a huge amount of affection for the brand and its cars, particularly the pre-Rootes models. Our vendor has loved and cherished this car for 30 years and is only reluctantly passing it on as he is now in his mid-eighties and struggles to get in and out. We love an older restoration, particularly when that restoration has stood up as well as this one, however, why not come and view the car in our purpose-made facility here in Cheshire - we doubt you’ll be disappointed!