The Gazelle Story. Association of Singer Car （羚羊的故事。）.pdf

The Gazelle Story. One of the main planks of the Rootes take-over of the Singer Company was the promise of a brand new model the company could be proud of. During the next year Rootes set about re-organizing the whole of Singers systems and re-financing the firm. The year-end loss posted for 1956 had risen to £600,000, but by the end of the 50’s Singer would be back in the black and making healthy profits once more. Once under Rootes ownership, the styling and engineering teams were tasked with developing the new Singer. They quickly identified that the older 1500 cc Singer ohc engine could be shoe-horned into the brand new Audax body shell, and, with subtle detail improvements, the new car was positioned high up in the Rootes model range just behind the prestigious Humbers. The all-new Audax body styling was a creation of Raymond Lowey’s design team in America, who had been responsible for the impressive Studebaker Hawk and Starliner models, and there are a number of similarities between the designs. It was against this backdrop that the new Singer, the Gazelle Series l, was launched in September 1956. Gazelle Series l. Inside, the level of trim in this luxurious new car was pitched at the upper end of the medium sized car market. Smart, pleated vinyl contrasted with outline piping and polished walnut veneered facia and door cappings, along with deep pile carpet- ing and extensive sound deadening. The Series l was available as a four door Saloon and two door Convertible. The purchase price was £898 7s 0d. Fitted with independent front wheel suspension with coil springs, and a wheel- base of 8’ - 0” the car had an overall length of 13’ 7½ ”. The research and development teams, along with the stylists, were continuously refining the finish and engineering specifications of the model ranges, and along with input from the marketing departm