The Singer Chamois, based on the Hillman Imp, was first introduced in 1964.
It was produced from 1964 to 1970 and 97,567 cars were built. They had a beautiful walnut veneer dash, the seats were larger and much more comfortable, the instrumentation was better with temperature and oil pressure gauge being standard as well as a heater blower.
When the Chamois was introduced most of the Imp’s teething problems had been sorted and it was a reliable car. But reliability alone wouldn’t sell. The Chamois also had a better sound damping, a heavier clutch and had Dunlop SP41 radials fitted to wider (1/2″) rim wheels that improved handling. And after all these improvements it received a very favourable press and was an immediate success. It was said to be better than the competition including the Riley Elf, the Wolseley Hornet, the Ford Anglia Super and the Triumph Herald 12/50.
Singer Chamois © flickr/foshie
In September 1965 the Mark II was launched but only minor changes had been made. Next was a limited edition of Chamois Spring specials in April 1967 but in 1968 the Mk II type designation discontinued.
The Chamois then was given a new dashboard layout with full width facia and round dials, new seats and upholstery and different external trim. They lost their beautiful veneer trim and had to make do with plastic ‘wood’ trimming instead. Both the Chamois and Chamois Sport were equipped with four headlights.
The Chamois Sport was introduced in 1966, together with the Sunbeam Imp Sport. And when in 1970 Rootes dropped the name of Singer only the Sunbeam Sport remained.
In January 1967 the Hillman Californian was announced, and the Chamois coupé followed in April. Both of them didn’t live a long life and even though they came through a major face lift in 1968 they didn’t sell very well.
In autumn 1965 a limited production of the Singer Rallye Chamois was made at the same time as the Hillman Rallye Imp.
