The Metamorphosis of BKE 185 -
Colin Mills' story of the rebuild of his Singer 1 1/2 Litre Le Mans.
When I bought the car in 1956 it looked like this, with the cycle wings already in place. After the car was written off in an accident in 1957, I decided to rebuild it and introduce a few
Colin Mills' story of the rebuild of his Singer 1 1/2 Litre Le Mans.
When I bought the car in 1956 it looked like this, with the cycle wings already in place. After the car was written off in an accident in 1957, I decided to rebuild it and introduce a few
changes to features I disliked and to meet future needs. I designed a new ash frame around new rear wings in 1958 and made this in 1960, with four modifications to the bodywork:
1 - I disliked the cramped cockpit and made the interior body 12" wider;
2 - The space behind the seat was required for a future carry-cot, so the tank went back about 8";
3 - The radiator grille was lowered 4" to avoid
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looking along an up-hill bonnet;
4 - The spare wheel would be sloping, with an enclosed skirt and bumpers to
protect all my new work. Because the radiator was now to be shorter, it had to be wider, so I had one made. This was installed further forward for more engine room. No Singer grille was now wide enough for the new radiator, the widest available, and similar
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protect all my new work. Because the radiator was now to be shorter, it had to be wider, so I had one made. This was installed further forward for more engine room. No Singer grille was now wide enough for the new radiator, the widest available, and similar
in looks to the Singer B37, being from a MkV Jaguar. While I had no Singer alternative for the grille, I did try to use Singer parts where possible. For example, the front wings and headlights are 1947 Roadster. The original 6-cyl 1493cc, non cross-flow, 2-carb engine was refurbished in 1958, but as I had always had trouble with this, for example, cracked block and low oil pressure, I decided after 40 years of consideration, to replace it with a more modern
alternative - one with an oil filter, water pump etc and capable of motorway use. I sold the engine (No 2133) to another Singer owner with car and boat and installed a Triumph Vitesse 1.6. In 2002, after getting it in with much difficulty, as everything fell foul of the steering column and pedals, a little-used Gazelle 1592cc engine became available.