Coventry cycle manufacturer Singer first ventured into the world of powered transport in 1901, making tricycles and motorcycles.

Tri-cars soon followed, with car production proper commencing in 1905 when the firm introduced a 15hp, horizontal three-cylinder model built under licence from Lea-Francis.

A range of conventional four-cylinder cars with front-mounted vertical engines followed in 1907.

Aster and White & Poppe power units were used at first, the latter exclusively from 1908 until the arrival of Singer’s own in 1912.

The first Singer-powered model - the 10hp - debuted at The Cycle & Motor Cycle Show in November 1912.

Because it weighed less than 7cwt and was under 1,100cc in capacity (actually 1,096cc) the 10hp Singer was classed as a cyclecar, which explains the choice of venue.

But unlike the majority of contemporary cyclecars, which were flimsy affairs of limited practicality, the new baby Singer was a proper light car and thus a development of immense significance.

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