1962 Singer Vogue.

SINGER VOGUE - Proud Owner: Mr. Neeteen BASANTLALA

 

Who is behind

 

Singer Motors Limited was a British motor vehicle manufacturer, founded by George Singer in 1874 as a bicycle manufacturer in Coventry, England. From 1901 the company also manufactured cars.

 

William Rootes, Singer apprentice and consummate car-salesman, contracted to buy the entire first year's supply.[1] It became a best-seller.[1] Ultimately Singer's business was acquired by his Rootes Group in 1956, which continued the brand until 1970.

The Rootes Group was a British automobile manufacturer, which was the parent company of many well-known British marques, including Hillman, Humber, Singer, Sunbeam, Talbot, Commer and Karrier. The company no longer exists, having been taken over in stages by Chrysler, and subsequently sold to Peugeot and, in part, Renault.

 

                          

 

Singer Vogue in Mauritius

 

Singer vogue had been commercialise in Mauritius in Mid 1962 by ………………… At that particular time, Mauritius was under the British Regime and the car was considered as a finest luxury.

 

Such a car could only be acquired by the well off community since the economy was far from prosperity. 

 

After its independence from the British Colony on 12 March 1968, Mauritius embarked on its development phase.  At that time, many of these cars were traded off by the British since they were leaving the country. And these vehicles are now classified as Vintage Cars.

 

 

Many years elapsed and I was destined to buy a vintage car.

In fact, it was an agent friend who conveyed to me the

message that a Singer Vogue was being sold in Curepipe.

 

I have learnt that J 680 was newly purchased in 1962 by Mr Junnerville in of Constance, Flacq.

 

Having an inclination for vintage cars since a young age, I always wondered if I could be the proud owner of one.

 

 

I immediately contacted the owner, Mr Jonny Ferret, and coincidentally the latter was passing by my workplace in Labourdonnais Street, Port Louis. We had a chat at the nearby petrol station. I did not want to miss the opportunity to buy a Singer Vogue and proposed Rs58,000 to Mr Jonny, without even seeing the car. That’s me !! However, there was not obligation with whomever. I scheduled a meeting for Saturday…….to have a look at the car.

 

 

I set out early morning in my VW Golf towards Curepipe, taking along a colleague of mine who was a vintage restorer. We arrived at the residence of Mr Jonny and I was so thrilled to see the car. Indeed, it was a rare piece to be seen on the road and the car appeared fine.

 

 

Without hesitation, I tendered Rs30,000 cash to Mr Jonny with a payment condition that the balance would be settled in 3 monthly instalments. The deal was agreed and some paperwork were put in place. Having no doubt on my integrity, Mr Jonny remitted to me the original horse power confidently instead of waiting full settlement of the payments. The car would be delivered in a few days after some cleaning.

 

 

I took a day off to fetch the car and it was towed by a towing service from Curepipe to Ripailles, at my in laws’ place. Obviously, the car could not be brought at my residence as my dad would be after me. The goods news of the car was shared with my mum, wife kajal, childhood friend Girish, and my in-laws.

 

 

The towing set out in late afternoon from Curepipe to Ripailles. On reaching city centre of Curepipe, I noticed lots of people who were so happy to see the Singer Vogue. Sitting on a bench under the veranda of a shop, some old pensioners were pointing at the car and surely recalling their past memories.

 

 

Driving a few metres ahead, I had a prestigious feeling on seeing so many people admiring the Singer Vogue on its way. An elderly grandmother was directing the attention of her grandson for a glance towards the car.

 

 

My brother in law, Chandan Ramchurn, was eagerly waiting for my arrival in Ripailles. The singer Vogue made its glamour appearance in Ramchurn Lane. On reaching there, I could see the delighted impression on Chandan’s face. Some distance further, some neighbours who were busy having a chat, peeped out their attention towards the car. The latter was kept safely in the garage.

 

 

The excitement for the restoration could not be hold on. Chandan arranged to have the basic servicing done by his mechanic friend.

 

Obviously, we had a nightmare to get these old spare parts since we were new to the vintage world. It happened that we spent 6 hrs to look for the oil seals, bearings & coura from Rose Hill until Port Louis.

 

 

After a short break, one of the former owners of J 680, Jean Marc CALOU contacted me for a helping hand on the mechanic aspect. He brought the mechanic, Gordone La Charmante (Doudou), who used to repair this car and who is also familiar to vintage cars. We had a negotiation and he proposed a spare parts restoration on certain specific matters. The reparation started after a couple of days. Unfortunately, this did not last long….

 

 

Police Case

 

Doudou was the perfect mechanic for the Singer Vogue. But he was fooling around and the car was placed on 4 concrete bricks for about 2 months in the garage at my in-laws’ place.

 

Furthermore, I had to forsake many of my local leaves whereby Doudou did not turn up. I had no option than to lodge a complaint at Flacq Police Station on a Sunday afternoon, the day which he was supposed to come to Ripailles. Accompanied by Chandan & Jean Marc Calou (both eye witnesses), I provided the statement to the police officer who then requested his colleague to look for Doudou immediately.

 

Much to my surprise, Doudou lives a few metres behind the police station. His father took note of the matter and promised that he would resolve the issue and also instruct Doudou to report to the police station.

 

Coincidentally, we saw Doudou, leisurely and happily cycling back home. He was quite shocked on seeing me.

 

I flew in a temper and insulted him on the main road. He was brought to the police station and was given a warning for non completion of his duty. Later on, his dad and brother humbly requested me not to proceed with the police case as they would personally monitor Doudou’s responsibility towards me.

 

After a few days, Doudou acted like a good boy and gradually completed his pending tasks on the car.

 

 

I purchased some accessories which was available from ebay for the car.

 

Even Girish helped for some spare parts such as speedometer, headlight frames, bonnet trims etc which he brought from UK during his visit to Mauritius in January 2013.

 

Girish & myself are befriended since the age of 9 years old, during school days and we still share this friendship.

 

 

The interior of the Singer vogue was in good condition but I preferred to change the colour and the design. Raj Bajnathsingh, a friend of mine, referred me to Linley whom I knew during college days. He was working as caretaker during that time. I showed him what I expected from some downloaded pictures and much to my satisfaction, Linley did a remarkable job. The seats and the interior door panels were refurbished.

 

 

The next phase was to restore all the rusty parts of the car, repair blocked locks, replace 4 door panels (exterior) with iron sheet of 18 gauze etc. The car was brought to Maingard Street, Beau Bassin where Pierrot, a skilled welder took up the job. The car was being repaired nearby to my residence. Surely, my dad had seen the car but unknowingly that it belongs to me !! J

 

 

Uncle Coco (Coco Seekun), who worked in a garage at Bonair Road Triolet, had word with the Owner of the garage to have the body paint done at a fair price. The finish was wonderful as it was painted professionally in a car painting oven.

 

 

This Singer Vogue is today in great condition with newly chromed bumpers,  trims, wheels, perfect engine, total rebuild & restored body work, proper speedometer with oil pressure/water/battery & temperature indicators. She runs on unleaded fuel & has servo brakes.

 

All of the welding & new metal work was done as well as a full repaint.

 

The engine of make NISSAN is strong & works perfectly well and has had lots of replaced parts/servicing (all documented).

 

Surely, there has been lots of time & money spent on her and she is a truly solid car all round.

The car has been wax oiled for protection & there are no holes or serious rot/rust on the car whatsoever. Even the interior was restored in its original & in great condition.

For a 1962 car, she drives & handles great with no major issues.

 

Neeteen BASANTLALA

Owner - 31.10.12
 

 

Restoration by MFX Motor Sports Team

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