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Origins
The Gazelle of 1956 was the first Singer of the Rootes era, and it set the pattern for the marque's final fifteen years: the Hillman Minx's new Audax body, dressed with a traditional Singer grille, walnut veneer, better seats — and, initially, Singer's own overhead-camshaft engine, a genuine mechanical distinction that lasted until 1958 before Rootes's pushrod unit replaced it. As sold, the Gazelle was a pleasant, slightly senior family saloon for buyers loyal to the badge or fond of its cabin, updated through the Audax generations and into the Arrow era as the Hunter-based Gazelle of 1966. The name died with the marque in 1970. It was badge engineering, candidly — but early cars, with the ohc engine under Singer's own grille, kept a last authentic flicker of the old company alight.
1960.singer.gazelle.arp · Adrian Pingstone · Public domain
