|
This is David Garn's 1936
Bantam, pictured at Brooklands in 2001.
This 4-door Singer Bantam was
bought new in June 1936 by Albert Brown, who was a grocer in Reigate,
Surrey. When Albert became ill some time in the 1950s, the car was left
in his lock-up garage and untouched until his wife died in 1983.
It was then sold to a Mrs Shelley in Reigate, who stored it for a few
years in a barn, with the intention of putting it back on the road.
In 1989, the Bantam was bought by Philip Isherwood in Redhill, who stored
it outside whilst he had a garage built. Unfortunately he became very
ill and the car was sold again. This time it was taken to Littlehampton,
where a Morgan enthusiast, Anthony Lindus, dismantled the car completely,
repainted the bodywork and reassembled the vehicle before putting it back
on the road in 1990. He used it for a couple of years, including
taking his daughter to her wedding, before passing the car to a classic
motorbike enthusiast in Worthing. Over the next 15 months the Bantam covered
just 90 miles, before it returned to Littlehampton in part exchange for
another motorbike.
For the next two years the Bantam was driven regularly, taking children
to school, before it was once again offered for sale, this time to finance
a loft extension.
David has owned the Bantam since 1998, and he has driven and displayed
around the country.
This is one of only 14 Singer Bantam cars currently roadworthy in England
and the only 4-door 972cc saloon in regular use. Despite being 71 years
old this car has driven a total of only 40,000 miles from new.
CLICK
HERE to visit David's Singer Bantam Website
|