The background information of this 1983 Edwardian style Singleton is quite thin on the ground. The car was designed and built by Singleton Motor Carriages in Bournemouth, and this particular car is one of just two ever produced. The hand built Elizabeth Bennet is a replica of the turn of the century automobile in 1906, quite similar to the one driven by Truly Scrumptious in the film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
Purchased by the seller on 23rd March 2020, the Elizebeth Bennet was bought along with Mr Darcey, a similar style Edwardian vehicle. The Mr Darcey vehicle was purchased at an auction and when the seller went along to collect it, there was this one there next to it. Now there was no intention to buy another car, but it was the seller's wife who persuaded him to put a bid in on the car, with a vision to set up their son in a wedding car business. The owner kindly declined the offer, that was until the journey home and he called to accept the offer. The seller, a man of his word, went back to sort out the money side and a deal was struck.
Once the delivery of the two vehicles took place Covid-19 took hold and unfortunately the wedding car business had to go on the back burner. Although we are nearing the lockdown restrictions coming to an end, the seller has decided against the business venture and so the Singleton Edwardian has to go.
Unfortunately when the seller purchased the car it came with little in the way of history. Looking back through the MOT history there have been no serious advisories apart from a steering box leak back in 2012.
The MOT expired on the Singleton on 3rd August 2018 and then failed a test on 19th September 2019 for a binding brake and a small leak on the exhaust. That was on 5,010 miles, and since then it's only done 6 miles, so it shouldn't take much to get this sorted out.
The interior of the Singleton is very well presented. Trimmed like your favorite Chesterfield sofa with added seat belts to the front and rear, the finish is in deep red leather which has no obvious signs of wear. The door cards have been trimmed to match and these are also damage free. The carpet throughout the car is matching in colour to the seats, and again has had little use which shows with such little wear. The car is capable of seating 5 passengers plus one driver. Quite simple as you would expect for a car that is styled on something from 1906.
The instrument binnacle, with a fascia of Brass, holds the switches for the lights and indicators, which are working as they should. To the center is the odometer which has a reading of 5,017miles. The gear lever and handbrake surround have also been trimmed in matching leather. A brass covered steering column comes through the bulkhead, fastened to it a nice period looking wood rim steering wheel. The inside of the roof is nice and tidy with no obvious damage that we could spot.
Into the back half, and again, the Chesterfield style seat is in excellent condition. There is another small seat just behind the front seats for the footman to sit on, or the best man if used as the groom's car. The rear window has been finished in an oval style which does have some light scratches to the finish. The boot, which is technically the wicker basket mounted to the rear, is in a good solid condition.
This 1983 Elizabeth Bennet Edwardian style Singleton is finished in Old English White with some fine line pinstriping in gold around the body and doors. Starting at the front, and it's time to get your brass polish out! The huge brass grille which houses the radiator has a brass Greyhound mascot sitting pride of place, period looking headlight and indicator housings are all made from brass which won't take much to bring back the full lustre. The brass continues on the edge of the chassis where the bonnet shuts, and also to the handles on the bonnet. The bonnet opens up on both sides to reveal the1700cc engine. The front bulkhead is made from a steel frame with a varnished ply panel, the wood then continues up into the frame for the windscreen, with a single wiper mounted to the top. More brass! The brass supports hold the top of the frame to the body and two leather straps help keep the roof nice and taut.
Around to the sides and the wheel arches flow nicely down onto the wooden side step running boards, which are edged in brass to protect the edges and back up to the rear arches. The driver's side also houses the spare wheel and the passenger side has a Shell petrol can mounted there, (for looks only) There are a few slight scuffs on the corners of the rear arches which have kinked the edges very slightly. That said, it is only slight and they would straighten quite easily. The doors align well and, with a turn of the brass handle, open and close nicely. Just above the rear arches are the lights in matching housings to the front indicators.
To the rear, the body flows around nicely and is finished off with Truly Scrumptious Cars written on the back and as mentioned, the wicker basket is the boot. There is the odd chip here and there on the body but only as you would expect. The roof is in good condition and sits nice and taut. It can also be undone and pulled back for the convertible experience.
The wheels are a 10 spoke wheel painted in matching Old English White with a brass centre cap. The tyres are period looking and have a good few miles left on them
It is fitted with a 1700 cc engine from a Freight Rover Sherpa O series. The petrol engine which was produced by Austin Morris has been used for many years in a whole number of models from the British Leyland range, proving it to be a reliable solid engine. This is mated to a 4-speed manual gearbox.
The seller hasn't really driven the Elizabeth Bennet but his friend did volunteer and enjoyed the experience thoroughly. The engine fires up nicely and ticks over nice and smoothly. His friend reports the gear change is smooth and there are no noises that shouldn't be there from the engine or transmission. The chassis is coated in green and this does slightly resemble the Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Landaulette chassis from this era. We should remember this is a 1983 replica of a turn of the century automobile and so it does drive pretty well.
Edwardian style and just one of two made by Singleton Motor Carriages in Bournemouth, it’s safe to say this is quite unique. One of the appealing features is that it uses a 1700 cc engine from a Freight Rover Sherpa, which is pretty reliable. That, coupled with the 4-speed gearbox, makes it travel along at a reasonable pace.
Maybe you have a wedding business that needs an Edwardian style car to add to your collection. Or maybe, like the seller, you have decided on a new business venture?. As weddings are just about getting back off the ground, this could be the prime time to jump on board and get some bookings. One thing is for sure, wherever Elizabeth Bennet is, Mr Darcy won’t be too far away!
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