Bratfink James Bratby Indianapolis (12 posts) Registered: 09/29/2010 04:05PM Main British Car: 66 MkIV Singer Vogue Estate 1725 (with Alpine S5 twin carb) |
Singer Vogue Estate Project
Hi All,
Just thought I'd drop a thread about the project I have been planning for a while and finally got round to starting. To be honest I haven't really thought through all the issues yet I will be taking a bit more of a linear engineering approach, but the basic goal is as follows: 2L turbo engine. Manual transmission. Independant rear end. 4 wheel disc brakes. This might happen incrimentally since each of the goals is quite large on this chassis, for instance I will probably end up having to custom make a front subframe to fit around the engine and reset all the steering. I don't expect it to turn out nearly as nice as Ryan's or Mike's first time round, but I'll give it a good shot. |
Bratfink James Bratby Indianapolis (12 posts) Registered: 09/29/2010 04:05PM Main British Car: 66 MkIV Singer Vogue Estate 1725 (with Alpine S5 twin carb) |
Re: Singer Vogue Estate Project
I was told by a Rootes group club memeber in UK that there are only 11 known Vogue Estates left. Probably a few more of the saloon. It's basically the same as the Humber Sceptre or the Hillman Super Minx. I have seen a few Super Minx over here for sale in recent years (even an estate or 2). So you might be familiar with the body style, if not the name.
Original engine was the 1725 twin stromberg, just like the Series 5 Alpine. |
Re: Singer Vogue Estate Project
Neat project James! Love the engine choice, and of course I'm a fan of any "unique" british car! Unlike Curtis who has never seen a Singer Vogue before, I'm pretty sure I've never even heard of one. The engine bay looks really similar to my Husky, although I can see a few differences. Is it basically the same floor pan and front suspension as an Alpine?
I'd really like to hear more of your plans for an IRS. The leaf sprung 8.8 in my Husky is the shortcoming of the entire car, and I've been thinking about a 3 or 4 link suspension. I've been REALLY unmotivated all summer to do anything to the car other than drive it. |
Bratfink James Bratby Indianapolis (12 posts) Registered: 09/29/2010 04:05PM Main British Car: 66 MkIV Singer Vogue Estate 1725 (with Alpine S5 twin carb) |
Re: Singer Vogue Estate Project
The engine choice wasn't my first and has definitely upped the ante on the project. Since the 4G63T was never a RWD engine I am having to get a custom bell housing made to fit it to a T5 (trans options are limited). Beyond that I have to spend quite some time reconfiguring things like the cooling system to run a front rad and have the thermostat at the front etc (it's all at the back on a 4G63).
First choice would have been a Cosworth YBB, but those seem kinda scarce over here! Although as luck would have it after I decided on the 4G63T (and more importantly spent some money) one popped up for sale in the US!!! Grrr. The Vogue is based on the same platform as the Humber Sceptre and the Hillman Super Minx. The platform was a size upgrade on the Hillman Minx from which your Husky was derived. Your platform is called the "Series" and the Vogues platform is called the "Super". There are similarities between both and they used most of the same engines and even some running gear. Depends on which Alpine you are talking about (There are 4 to choose from!). Running gear wise the MkIV Vogue is almost identical to the Series V Sunbeam Alpine (the roadster). Chassis wise it is closer to the Super Minx. The early Alpine is more like the Rapier and is also based on the "Series" chassis (there is an even earlier version too). The Late Alpine is an "Audax" chassis, there is a Vogue version of that as well and the year of mine might confuse matters since they switched to the Audax chassis Vogue in 66 for the Saloon model, but the Estate stayed as a "Super" chassis for another year. Easy huh? |
Bratfink James Bratby Indianapolis (12 posts) Registered: 09/29/2010 04:05PM Main British Car: 66 MkIV Singer Vogue Estate 1725 (with Alpine S5 twin carb) |
Re: Singer Vogue Estate Project
By the way, project update:
I have purchased a T5 that will become the trans for this car. Next step is to get the bell housing made and using the trans case and short block I can start the final fit section of the engine. |
Re: Singer Vogue Estate Project
This is actual my old car, we called her Jade because of the colour!
I think I was only the second keeper buying her from a lovely old man who found her a bit too heavy. He did give me some interesting history about the car. She wass first used by Rootes as a rally support vehicle and was modified accordingly. First they beefed up the rear suspension with stiffer springs (which you will have lost) and put on a very heavy duty tow bar for the trailer carrying the competition car, I lost the tow bar as it was so heavy. Up front there were extra lucas lamps large, 8 inch, spot lights. Under the bonnet there was a heavy duty battery and twin stromberg carbs ~ these were never a standard fitment on Singers only on Sunbeam versions (Alpines and Rapiers) when i got the car it was fitted with oversize 175R13 tyres rather than the standard 165R13s. Inside there was a non standard rev counter and, map reading light. All this was original dealer team fitted. When we got Jade i didn't think the back seat had ever been used, and the front passenger seat was also like new, i did have to have some repairs to the upholstery of the drivers seat. At some point during my ownership some vandals tried to steal her and ended up driving her into a wall, i did what i could with s new(ish) bumper and grill but she never shone quite the same again. We took her on holidays and a few runs and shows, including the Singer Century run where she had a place of honour. At the turn of the millennium Jade was considered to be the only Mark IV Vogue Estate left on the road in the World, subsequently s couple of others have been discovered as barn finds. After purchasing her I used her as my everyday car untill rust started to become a problem, when I sold her in the hope that she'd be properly restored and kept on the road. |
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