Singer Gazelle

Singer Gazelle
Singer Gazelle V
Overview
Manufacturer	Singer (Rootes Group)
Production	1956–70
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door saloon 2-door convertible 4-door estate car
Layout	Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout
Chronology
Predecessor	Singer Hunter
Successor	None

Singer Gazelle IIA to IIIC
Singer Gazelle IIIC Saloon of 1962
Overview
Production	1958–63 3,824, 10,929, 12,491, 13,272 and 15,115 made
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door saloon 2-door convertible 4-door estate car
Powertrain
Engine	1494 cc (1592 cc on the IIIC) straight-4 overhead valve
Transmission	4 speed manual with optional overdrive or automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	96 in (2,438 mm)
Length	163.5 in (4,153 mm)
Width	60.75 in (1,543 mm)
Height	57.25 in (1,454 mm)

Singer Gazelle V
Singer Gazelle V
Overview
Production	1963–65 20,022 made
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door saloon
Powertrain
Engine	1592 cc straight-4 overhead valve
Transmission	4 speed manual with optional overdrive or automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	96 in (2,438 mm)
Length	164.5 in (4,178 mm)
Width	60.75 in (1,543 mm)

Singer Gazelle VI
Singer Gazelle VI
Overview
Production	1965–67 14,842 produced
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door saloon
Powertrain
Engine	1725 cc straight-4 overhead valve
Transmission	4 speed manual with optional overdrive or automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	96 in (2,438 mm)
Length	166.5 in (4,229 mm)
Width	61.75 in (1,568 mm)

Singer Gazelle VII
The Singer Gazelle VII shared its styling with the Singer Vogue Mk V Saloon (pictured)
Overview
Production	1967–70 26,846 produced
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door saloon
Related	Hillman Hunter Singer Vogue
Powertrain
Engine	1496 cc straight-4 1725 cc straight-4
Transmission	manual automatic

The Singer Gazelle name has been applied to two generations of motor cars from the British manufacturer Singer. It was positioned between the basic Hillman range and the more sporting Sunbeam versions.

The Gazelle was the first Singer to be produced following the take-over of the Singer company by the Rootes Group in 1956 and was a version of the mainstream Hillman Minx differing mainly in retaining the Singer overhead cam engine. Externally the only significant difference was a restyled nose based around a traditional Singer grille. The new car was announced in late September 1956.

The body style followed by the Gazelle between 1956 and 1967 came to be known as the "Audax" body, with significant input from the US based Loewy design organisation, highly regarded at the time partly on account of Loewy's input to several iconic Studebaker designs.

The Gazelle was initially offered in saloon and convertible body styles. The Gazelle Series II, offered from autumn 1957, was also available as an estate car, and had optional overdrive and larger fuel tank.

The suspension was independent at the front using coil springs while at the rear was a live axle and half elliptic leaf springs. The steering gear used a worm and nut system.

As standard, the car had a bench front seat but individual seats were available as an option. To allow for the bench seat, the handbrake lever was between the seat and the door.

The convertible version had a two position hood where it could be either completely lowered or rolled back to just behind the front seats described as the coupé de ville position. All side windows could be completely lowered. To compensate for the loss of body rigidity by the removal of the roof, extra cross bracing was fitted under the car.

A car with overdrive was tested by the British magazine The Motor in 1957. It had a top speed of 78.0 mph (125.5 km/h) and could accelerate from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 24.8 seconds. A fuel consumption of 33.5 miles per imperial gallon (8.4 L/100 km; 27.9 mpg_‑US) was recorded. The test car cost £1016 including taxes of £332. This included the optional overdrive, heater and radio.