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Armstrong-Siddeley - to buy or not to buy?

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Daimlerdb18

Daimlerdb18

Senior Member
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Has anyone an opinion of Armstrong-Siddeley? I've an opportunity to buy a 1954 Sapphire 346 and was wanting to see if there are any anecdotes from forum members concerning this lovely-looking car. For example, trouble points, motor longevity, and etc.

Thanks!
 
Very Pretty car... But I don't know a thing about them. Looks like something I'd buy first and then learn about though.
 
at least they don't have desmodromic valves....
<runs gibbering from this thread>
 
Hey, any company whose mascot is the Sphynx is fine by me!
 
From the pictures on the web site James posted, it is certainly a lovely car. Looks like it shares a lot woth Daimler. (I have a DB18 Special Sports by the way).

Basil
 
Bentley, Daimler, Jag,.... ALL of 'em.
 
I love them, I'd sure want to email the club and find out about parts availability and cost since Moss Motors doesn't have a Armstrong Siddley catalogue yet. I just checked KIP motors and they don't seem to either.
 
Hello Dr Entropy,

"at least they don't have desmodromic valves.",

not too many had, Mercedes Benz 300SLR? and some motorbikes, Ducati?

Do you know of any others?

Alec
 
T'was an old Bentley IIRC. Been so long since I saw it I can only recall the "gymnastics" I had to perform to check and attend to 'em: "Head below feet" was the attitude.

And yes, Ducati has 'em today, if I'm not mistaken.
 
Hey Doc, I've been scratchin my head since I first read one of your posts, and I still haven't figured out what IIRC means?
 
If I Recall Correctly
 
Ahhhh, thanks Rob. That's been bothering me since I signed on this board.
 
Apologies... Old habits.

THX Rob /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
You should've heard some of the phrases I was trying to fill it in with. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif
 
heh... you know me well, young Jedi. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/devilgrin.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
...
"at least they don't have desmodromic valves.",

not too many had, Mercedes Benz 300SLR? and some motorbikes, Ducati?

Do you know of any others?...

Alec

[/ QUOTE ]

I think Lance Reventlow's Scarab Formula 1 car had them, at least at first.

How did this get into a thread on an Armstrong-Siddeley?
 
"The 346 mascot used from 1953 to 1959 reflected the Armstrong Siddeley aeronautical tradition. The Sphinx has a clearly smiling face with a boxer's nose and is flanked by wings surmounted by jet engines similar to those on the Gloster Meteor. I feel that this is the most humorous looking Sphinx and has a jaunty look on its vehicle. The figure is reclining."

This is a quote taken from the Siddeley site (thanks for providing the link!!!). Indeed, how could one not love a car that has such a mascot - A smiling jet-powered Sphinx. I think I'll take the risk and buy the car, just as soon as the resto is finished on the 1956 MGA. The Sapphire was brought to this country from South Africa and looks to be in fairly rust-free condition. It shares the epicyclic transmission with the Daimlers, but unlike our Consort, has hydraulic brakes all around and a more potent motor. A friend is president of the Antique Car Club of Jalisco, Mexico and he showed me their club colours emblazoned with the motto: "Mal de fierro", which loosely translates into "Iron sickness." Certainly an apt description of the obsessive nature of loving little (and not so little) British cars.
 
So I assume the car isn't actively on the market right now then? Hope that MGA restoration doesn't take too long, isn't this carefully made plan going to jinx everything now? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/devilgrin.gif
 
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