Thursday, September 1, 2022

Singer's 1934 "Streamlined" Eleven Airstream

Singer was an English carmaker that did something not-very-British.  It produced a design that was radical for its time. 

That car was the 1934 Eleven "Airstream," the 11 being its tax horsepower (based on cylinder bore dimensions - this determined an annual tax fee).  The Airstream part had to do with its shaping that was more aerodynamically efficient than that of traditional contemporary UK cars.

It seems only around 200 were ever made.  Besides the unusual styling, the 300 Pound price placed it towards the upper end of the popular price saloon range.

I found few images of the Airstream, most of poor quality.

Gallery

1934 Chrysler CU Airflow 4-door sedan - publicity image
The Chrysler Airflow was announced in January of 1934, whereas the Airstream debuted later, perhaps at the mid-October 1934 Olympia automobile show.

Comparing the front ends of the two designs -- especially the grilles and headlight placement -- it seems likely that the Airstream's design was influenced by the Airflow's.

Even the heat exhaust doors on the hood (bonnet) are similar, though the available area might have dictated those doors instead of louvers.

The entire profile is rounded-off, in sharp contrast to the boxy form of most contemporaries.

This view clearly shows the conceptual similarity to the Airflow's grille.  Note the lack of running boards, another feature advanced for 1934.

This might be a later model (Airstreams were produced for about three years) due to the different shape of the heat exhaust doors.  Or maybe this is a prototype photographed for publicity purposes.

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