When a company renowned for making aircraft turns its hand to building cars, one thing is never in doubt – excellence will come as standard. And while no-one could ever really claim that Armstrong Siddeley made beautiful cars (they were too formal and upright for that), few would dispute that they were beautifully made. Production was always on a modest scale (3,000 would count as a hectic year at the Coventry factory) and the cars appealed to people who appreciated the subtleties of fine engineering and craftsmanship over brash good looks.
The Sapphire 234 is a classic case in point. Launched in 1955 it was powered by an advanced 2,290cc four-cylinder twin carb version of the six-cylinder Sapphire 236 engine that produced 120bhp (compared to 85bhp in the six). The transmission was a manual four-speed all-synchro gearbox with optional overdrive. Top speed was an impressive 100mph making it a worthy rival to other sporting saloons like the Jaguar MkI and Riley Pathfinder. Though in truth, neither could hold a candle to the Armstrong which was dynamically far superior to both.
Suspension was independent at the front by coil springs and trailing wishbones with a beam axle and semi-elliptic springs to the rear. Large servo assisted brakes provided ample stopping power and the steering was superb. Although it remained in production until 1958, just 803 examples were made, of which it is thought that only seven remain in use worldwide.
First registered in July 1958, this particular car is claimed by the vendor to be the best original, unrestored example in existence. With a warranted 19,000 miles on the clock, it had just one owner for 42 years and was then owned by a senior member of the Armstrong Siddeley Owners Club. The car is so correct that, a few years ago, it was used as the template for the Lansdowne 1/43rd scale model that is now on sale in exactly this colour scheme (pictured above).
The bodywork, made from Hiduminium 22, a high duty lightweight alloy used in aircraft construction, is said to be totally original and in fine condition throughout, as are the original Rudge-Whitworth spoked wheels. The fine interior is also totally original and still retains its nylon-finished seat covers (an industry first at the time), a material that is possibly unique to this car now that so few 234s survive. A four-speed manual model, it is said to drive beautifully and has a long tax and MOT. An overdrive gearbox can also be made available to the winning bidder by separate negotiation if desired.
The car retains its original and valuable registration number, 3262 E, and comes with an original sales brochure with fabulous colour plates by Terence Cuneo – a collector's item in its own right. Altogether a most original and correct example that would be the pride of any collection.
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