1928 Singer 10/26hp Delivery Van

• Sold new to banana merchants S Sinnett & Son of Macclesfield
• Rescued from dilapidation in 1960
• An older restoration benefiting from more recent refurbishment
• Featured in Heritage Commercials magazine in 2024

Successor to Singer's immensely successful and highly influential 10hp light car, the '10/26', was launched at the 1924 Motor Show. The newcomer boasted a 1,308cc overhead-valve engine that produced 25% more power than its sidevalve predecessor's, enabling the car's dimensions to be usefully increased. A wider variety of body styles was made available on the newly enlarged 'Ten', ranging from a two-seat roadster to a limousine. On the model's first competitive outing, the 1924 London-Exeter Trial, the 10/26hp acquitted itself admirably, rewarding its driver, A R H Stewart, with a Gold Medal. At the 1926 Motor Show a smaller, 'Junior' model was introduced, powered by a new overhead-camshaft engine, the 10/26hp model being renamed 'Senior' and given a new 1,576cc power unit. When production switched to these more modern designs Singer still had a substantial quantity of earlier 10/26hp chassis and other components left over, and these were used to complete some 400 vans using the 1,308cc engine. These vehicles boasted a new aluminium radiator grille with 'Singer Delivery' cast into the top.

This charming Singer delivery van was sold new in 1928 to banana merchants S Sinnett & Son of Macclesfield, Cheshire and registered as 'TU 8971'. One subsequent owner was Michael Moody of Witney, Oxfordshire, who, pulled the dilapidated van out of a smallholding in 1960. Restoration proceeded gradually, the bodywork being repaired by Bakers of Aldershot, who also made new side-screens for the cab doors. The current vendor purchased the Singer van from Michael Moody, a long-time acquaintance, in 2005. 'TU 8971' had been rallied extensively, including an appearance at the Wroughton Show in 1983, and was in reasonable condition when acquired, albeit in need of further refurbishment. In 2019 the work was entrusted to professional vehicle restorer, Bill Tull.

The full story of this Singer Delivery Van is recounted in an article published in Heritage Commercials magazine's October 2024 edition (copy available) and the vehicle also comes with a V5C document and an owner's handbook.