1953 Singer SM 1500 - Lot 61

Lot n° 61
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Estimation :
10000 - 15000 EUR
Result with fees
Result : 6 000EUR
1953 Singer SM 1500 - Lot 61
1953 Singer SM 1500 No reserve Carte Grise de Collection Serial number: OLD6603W - A singular history linked to the British Crown - Only survivor of the 5 imported to France - Numerous service invoices Singer Motors Ltd. occupies a special place in the post-war British automotive landscape. Renowned for the quality of its mid-range cars, the SM 1500 is a well-finished, technologically advanced model for its time. Elegant and well-equipped, the SM 1500 was aimed at a middle-class clientele in search of a vehicle that was both comfortable and status-conscious. But above and beyond its technical qualities, the model on offer is distinguished by an astonishing history, which is an integral part of its legend. The year was 1953, the year of Elizabeth II's coronation. When British jewellers encountered a technical problem in preparing the royal crown, one of them called on the services of a renowned Parisian jeweller, Monsieur Lipeck. The crown was sent to Paris, the problem quickly resolved, and the jewel returned to London in time for the ceremony. Touched by this gesture, the Queen Mother decided to thank Monsieur Lipeck with a gift of an automobile. In July 1953, Her Majesty's secretariat had the Singer SM 1500 delivered to Paris via Monsieur Savoye Jacques, a well-known importer on Boulevard Pereire. In the 1980s, the vehicle was discovered by Monsieur Fortuné, a property dealer, during the purchase of a villa in Sanary-sur-Mer, owned by Monsieur Lipeck. The Singer, forgotten under the covers in the basement, was restored on his initiative. A technician, who had come to solve an electrical problem in the house, recognized the car and recounted its past. Mr. Fortuné then contacted the Royal Secretariat, who cautiously neither confirmed nor denied the facts, thus reinforcing the aura of mystery and prestige that surrounds this car (original letter available in the car's file). Over the years, the car has been owned by just five people: Mr. Lipeck, Mr. Fortuné, Mr. Leclerc d'Orléac, Mr. Decerisy, and now Mr. Martin. It appears to have been restored around ten years ago (bodywork and interior). It features rare options for the period, such as a heater and reversing light. Accompanied by its period documents - logbook, workshop manual, parts list - it stands out as the only known survivor among the five Singer SM 1500s imported to France. With its evocative "little American" allure and elegant antagonistic doors, this Singer has also seduced contemporary film-makers. It has been seen in several recent films, testifying to its evocative cinematic power: Frères (2024) by M. Kassovitz with Yvan Attal, Monsieur Aznavour (2024) directed by Tahar Rahim, Nouvelle Vague (2025), in official competition at the Cannes Film Festival, and L'Affaire Bojarski (2025) with Reda Kateb and Sara Giraudeau. 1953 Singer SM 1500 Collector's Vehicle Registration Document Serial number: OLD6603W - Unique history linked to the British Crown - The only survivor of the five models imported into France - Numerous maintenance invoices Singer Motors Ltd. occupies a special place in the post-war British automotive landscape. Renowned for the quality of its mid-range cars, the brand offered the SM 1500, a well-finished and technologically advanced model for its time. Elegant and well-equipped, the SM 1500 was aimed at a bourgeois clientele looking for a vehicle that was both comfortable and prestigious. But beyond its technical qualities, the model on offer stands out for its remarkable history, which is an integral part of its legend. The year is 1953, the year of Elizabeth II's coronation. When British jewellers encountered a technical problem in preparing the royal crown, one of them called on a renowned Parisian jeweller, Monsieur Lipeck. The crown was sent to Paris, the problem was quickly resolved, and the jewel returned to London in time for the ceremony. Touched by this gesture, the Queen Mother decided to thank Monsieur Lipeck by giving him a car. Her Majesty's secretariat then had this Singer SM 1500 delivered to Paris in July 1953 via Monsieur Savoye Jacques, a well-known importer on Boulevard Pereire. In the 1980s, the vehicle was discovered by Mr Fortuné, a property dealer, when he purchased a villa in Sanary-sur-Mer, owned by Mr Lipeck. The Singer, forgotten under blankets in the basement, was restored on his initiative. A technician who came to fix an electrical problem in the house recognised the car and recounted its history. Mr Fortuné then contacted the royal secretariat, which, in a cautious response, neither confirmed
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