1926 Singer Lady’s Grande
Model No 8
Original Paintwork: ‘Finest quality chocolate enamel’
26″ Frame
28″ Wheels
Frame No 414157
Celluloid colour-matched handlebars and grips
Toolbag with Singer name
Aluminium pedals with Singer name on the rubbers
This beautiful original Singer was a top of the range model oozing luxury and comfort, a reminder of the top quality bicycles that were available before the War. To put it in perspective, after World War One, British cycle manufacturers had to downgrade their bicycles for two essential reasons:
1. They had lost many of their export markets during the War, particularly in Asia, and Japan had taken advantage of this to supply bicycles at cheaper prices in the lucrative Asian markets.
2. Whereas the pre-war home market was aimed squarely at the aristocracy, with prices to match, during the War there was petrol rationing at home so the bicycle became essential for every task. Women in particular used bicycles for getting to work at factories to make munitions, where the shifts continued through the night meaning there were no buses and trams available.
Both these issues caused sale prices to drop, both to compete with Japan internationally, and to accommodate a new market among working people at home. BSA and Hercules became the new market leaders by lowering production costs to provide much cheaper cycles in bulk.
While many smaller cycle makers had closed down, Rudge-Whitworth, Humber, Raleigh, Sunbeam and Triumph still built top quality bicycles to cater for those with a higher budget. Singer had merged with Premier after the War to cut production costs, and they subsequently bought Sparkbrook. The Sparkbrook name was used for their cheaper models and, as the Singer name was associated with the highest standard of workmanship, in 1923 the company introduced the Singer ‘Grande’ to compete in the luxury end of the market. Unfortunately it seems that there was too much competition, and within a few years they had to lower the price of their Grande model. They stopped building bicycles completely in 1928.
As a result this is a rare model. It’s in superb original condition, with all its brightwork re-nickelled. As you can see, it has Singer 4-bar pedals, a Singer toolbag, and also celluloid handlebar and grips to match the paintwork. It is ready to ride. And it also has a matching partner – a 1926 Singer Gent’s Grande (which you can see via the link at the bottom of the page).
Screenshot
1926 SINGER GRANDE – LADY’S & GENT’S
TO SEE THE
1926 SINGER GENT’S GRANDE
PLEASE CLICK HERE
