Singer - Singer Gazelle
The Singer Gazelle was the first Singer built after the takeover of Singer by the Rootes Group. Externally the Gazelle of 1956 looked no different to the Hillman Minx, apart from the different grille and its surrounding. But the Gazelle kept the larger capacity overhead camshaft Singer 1497cc engine. From 1958 the Gazelle 2A had the overhead cam engine replaced with the Minx pushrod unit, which with its higher compression actually produced more power, and by 1961 with the Gazelle 3C the bore was increased further to an engine capacity of 1592 cc. The Singer 5 of 1963 was updated with the new body (as per the Hillman Minx), and the Gazelle 6 of 1965 had the new strengthened and stroked 5 bearing engine taking the capacity to 1725cc. For 1967 came the "New Gazelle" with the Rootes modern and updated looking body which had 4 doors, available either with the 1725 cc engine or the earlier 1494cc unit. In the Rootes marketing hierarchy, the Singer was the brand above the more basic Hillman version, while at the same time the Singer brand was below the sportier Sunbeam.
Tyre size for Singer Gazelle: All Gazelle models from 1956 had tyre size 5.60x15 which is radial equivalent size 155R15. From 1963 with the Gazelle 5 and Gazelle 6 the tyre size was the 6.00x13 which is radial equivalent size 165R13. Blockley produces a superb period correct pattern, steel belted and excellent speed rated 155HR15 (we make this size in a whitewall type as well), plus the 165VR13 tyre for the 1963 to 1970 Gazelles, either of which size will transform the ride and handling. These are steel belted high speed capable with period correct tread pattern - see full details of these tyres below:
