Singer

The Gazelle was the first Singer to be produced following the take-over of the Singer company by the Rootes Group in 1956 and was a version of the Hillman Minx differing mainly in retaining the 1,497 cc Singer overhead cam engine. Externally the only significant difference was a restyled nose based around a traditional Singer grille. The new car was announced in September 1956 and was initially offered in saloon and convertible body styles. The Gazelle Series II, offered from autumn 1957, was also available as a station wagon. In 1958 the Gazelle was fitted with the more powerful 1,494 cc Hillman engine and a two-tone paint became available. In September 1959, the car gained small tail fins and a larger windscreen. In July 1961, a larger engine of 1,592 cc was deployed. The convertible was discontinued in February 1962, followed by the station wagon in March 1962.

The Gazelle V was introduced in August 1963. It had an updated body with longer rear doors and no longer having a wrap-around rear window. The front brakes became discs and from 1964 it gained a new gearbox with synchromesh on first gear. The Gazelle VI, which was introduced in 1965, was the last of the "Audax" Gazelles. The engine was all new, with a capacity of 1,725 cc. The grille, now rectangular instead of the traditional Singer oval shape, was no longer attached to the opening bonnet, but remained fixed to the front panels on opening.

1963