Lot Ended
Description
In single family ownership from new until 2007; former show-winner;
overdrive gearbox conversion; highly original with a vast history file; as good
as you will find
Launched in 1961
the Singer Vogue had transatlantic styling by Raymond Loewy with wraparound rear
windows, distinctive tailfins and lashings of chrome. The MkIII version was
introduced at the London Motor Show in October 1964 and stood out from its
predecessors thanks to a redesigned roofline featuring a flat rear screen and
deeper, wider glass all around.
These subtle
exterior tweaks gave the car a squarer, more modern profile while improving
driver visibility. Inside, it maintained its reputation for traditional British
luxury, equipped with a polished burr walnut dashboard and reclining front
seats.
The most significant change was under the
bonnet, the original 62bhp 1,592cc engine being replaced by a tuned 84bhp 1600
unit with an aluminium head, as fitted to the Humber Sceptre and Sunbeam Rapier.
Paired with Rootes’ new four-speed manual all-synchro transmission, this meant
the MkIII could get to 60mph in 15 seconds (a full 5 seconds quicker than its
predecessor) with a top speed of 91mph which made it right at home on the newly
expanding motorway network.
Only in production
for one year, the MkIII was well-received with 9,987 sold before it was replaced
by the 1,725cc MkIV in late 1965.
This
exceptionally smart MkIII must be one of the first made, a document on
file showing that it left the works in September 1964 finished in Lavender
Grey with a Grey interior and four-speed manual gearbox.
Bought new by a Mr M Dyton of Newport, Monmouthshire in October 1964,
it was to remain in his family for the next 43 years, ownership passing to a Mr
W Dyton of Newport (presumably his son) in 1984. They both kept the car
meticulously maintained, as shown by many invoices on file, including a full
engine rebuild in December 1979 at 87,025 miles with new pistons, bearings,
reground crank, all new cam followers and valve springs etc.
Mr W Dyton also kept a detailed log of all the
work carried out during his 23-year ownership, backed up by many invoices on
file (see photos). This included a full respray in July 1991, the car also
winning various awards at car shows, testament to the fine
condition.
Mr Dyton finally sold the car in 2007
by which time it had covered 138k miles, as shown by 29 old MOTs on file. It has
had another six owners since who have all continued the meticulous maintenance
regime adopted by the Dyton family, all detailed in many dozens of invoices in
the well-ordered history file.
Our vendor
acquired the car in the summer of 2021 and has continued to look after it well,
including fitting an overdrive gearbox in November 2023, along with a new clutch
and associated hydraulics. This was
a major job which required shortening the prop shaft but makes the car much more
relaxing to drive at motorway speeds.
Other
improvements in the current ownership include: a new set of carpets in Blenheim
Flint Grey; new front seat belts; dash clock upgraded to quartz spec; charging
uprated from dynamo to alternator; hazard warning lights; intermittent wiper
switch; battery cut-off switch; stainless steel exhaust; replacement hub
caps; halogen headlamps with LED daytime running lights; uprated fuel hoses
suitable for modern petrol; silicone heater hoses; cunifer brake pipes;
uprated starter motor; electronic ignition; Viper Dry Resin sports coil; much of
the wiring replaced etc.
You get the picture,
this car has been kept in tip-top running order with some judicious upgrades to
make it a reliable daily driver, the odometer now showing 144,191 miles which is
almost certainly correct. We are told that apart from the repaint it has never
been restored, just carefully preserved by all previous
owners.
Aside from all the invoices, it also
comes with a large amount of technical information relating to the model,
including a factory workshop manual and parts catalogue, wiring diagrams,
handbooks, copies of period publicity material etc. There are also laminated
cards giving the spec and the history of the Vogue for use at the many
shows that this car has attended, where it is always
much-admired.
Coming from the same stable as the
magnificent Austin 3-Litre elsewhere in this catalogue (Lot 23), we are told
that the Singer drives as well as it looks. It has certainly been starting
promptly and running sweetly as we have moved it around on site, with healthy
50psi oil pressure.
As you can see in the photos,
this pampered and highly original Vogue is in wonderful condition for a
62-year-old and is no doubt capable of scooping more accolades on the show
circuit, should the new owner feel so inclined.
Consigned by James Dennison – 07970 309907 – james.dennison@brightwells.com