Description

Singer Motor Tandem

The Singer company began in Coventry in 1896 or earlier as a bicycle manufacturer.

1900 Started by offering a 222cc four-stroke single - the engine design was bought from Perks and Birch, formed by former employee Edwin Perks, and Frank Birch. Used in the Motor Wheel.

1901 The firm began using the Perks and Birch motor wheel. It replaced the front wheel of their tricycle, or the rear wheel of a bicycle, that they were already producing. It was, reportedly, incredibly uncomfortable, as the wheel banged into every pothole and bounced over every bump.

1903 Their versatile design was used as a rear wheel on a Phoenix Trimo forecar. Later that year an open-framed ladies' model appeared. To improve access, it had spokes on only one side. With a freewheel in the drive, it had no engine braking and could coast down hills with a dead engine.

1904 New models were added to the Singer range. These had an upright engine mounted in a cradle hung from the downtube. The list was quite extensive with tricycles built for solo or tandem use, as well as forecars, and also a V-twin, two-speed tricar.

1905 All-chain drive and fan cooling was adopted, as was magneto ignition. After 1905 the company turned their attention to cars for a few years.

1912 By this year, Singer had a wide range of machines on their lists. They built a 499cc racing engine, with a four-valve head and water cooling. It was meant to be raced at Brooklands by the Singer rider G. E. Stanley, but he preferred his successful and reliable sv model. Over the next couple of years the range continued, with steady developments.

1914 Late that year, a two-stroke, two-speed, chain-cum-belt driven model, built under Peco patents, was added. It also had Druid forks and foot-boards.

1915 That range continued for a short time but World War I brought production to a close, and after the war was over the company's attention returned to cars.


Singer Company History
1896/7 Directory: Listed under cycles as Singer and Co. Limited of Coventry.
1903 The company, Singer and Co, was registered on 25 August, to take over Singer Cycle Co of Coventry, founded in 1875 by George Singer. That company produced a motor bicycle with the engine in the wheel which was the design of Perks and Birch
1906 Singer and Co Ltd own all the shares of the Singer Motor Company. George Singer and J. Stringer are directors.

1909 Became a private company.
1912 Listed in Spennell's directory of Coventry as Cycle Manufacturers.
1912 Spennell's lists them at Canterbury St, Coventry (Wire, Singer; Tel571) and as manufacturers of motorcycles.
1915 Ceased production of motorcycles.
1920 Acquired Coventry Premier.

1922 Acquired the Coventry Repetition Co.

1922 Directors were; Rodolph Fane De Salis (Chairman), A. C. Bourner, W.E. Bullock and George Albert Eastwood.

1925 Acquired Sparkbrook Manufacturing Co.

1925 Acquired Calcott Brothers.

1927 Ceased production of cycles.

1936 Became a public company.

1956 The company was in financial difficulties and the Rootes Group who had handled Singer sales since before World War I, bought the company, and closed the Coventry works.