Other Makes: Armstrong Siddley Star Saphire For Sale

THIS ARMSTRONG SIDDELEY STAR SAPHIRE HAD BEEN MY FATHERS CLASSIC CAR SINCE 1975. HE IMPORTED IT FROM ENGLAND IN 1975 HAVING BOUGHT IT FROM HIS UNCLE THE ORIGINAL OWNER. THE CAR DID REQUIRE A REPAINT AT ONE POINT ABOUT 16 YEARS AGO.  MY FATHER HAD LEFT ME THIS CAR UPON HIS PASSING 7 YEARS AGO. I HAVE NOT HAD TIME TO USE IT MUCH, AND IT SHOULD GO TO SOMEONE WHO CAN APPRECIATE THE WONDERFUL CAR THAT IT IS. THE CAR IS A GOOD DRIVERS CONDITION CAR, IT IS NOT A SHOW CAR, HOWEVER IT HAD WON SOME PRIZES AT LOCAL SHOWS THROUGH THE YEARS.

THE VEHICLE HAS HAD THE ENGINE, TRANSMISSION AND BRAKES REDONE OVER THE LAST 9 YEARS, AND THE INTERIOR IS PRETTY MUCH 95% ORIGINAL. THE PAINT WAS DONE SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 16 AND 20 YEARS AGO TO ORIGINAL COLORS. THERE ARE A FEW SCRATCHES AND  A VERY FEW SMALL RUST PIMPLES IN THE LOWER REAR FENDER. OVERALL VERY GOOD FOR ITS AGE. THERE ARE A FEW SPARES THAT COME WITH THE VEHICLE IF THE PURCHASER WISHES TO HAVE THEM.

PLEASE SEND QUESTIONS, AND I WILL ANSWER them  as BEsT I can. THE CAR IS IN VANCOUVER B.C., CANADA, I WILL HELP ARRANGE SHIPPING FOR THE PURCHASER. THE CAR COULD BE DRIVEN TO DESTINATION. NOTHING THAT I KNOW OF is  IMMEDIATELY REQUIRED. THE CARBS COULD PROBABLY USE A CLEANING AND tune up, IT HAS ONLY DONE ABOUT 400 MILES IN THE LAST 7 YEARS.

A LITTLE HISTORY BELOW OF THE BREED.

While most motor manufacturers entered the post-war era with cars little changed from those on offer in 1939, Armstrong Siddeley was able to launch a new model immediately, announcing the Hurricane in May 1945. A stylish, 4/5-seater, three-position drophead coupé, the Hurricane was soon joined by the mechanically similar Lancaster saloon, both cars using a developed version of the advanced, 2.0-litre overhead-valve six introduced in 1938. (Choosing the evocative names of WW2 aircraft for its models made good sense for Armstrong Siddeley, which had built many of them – as Hawker Siddeley and Armstrong Whitworth – and supplied the engines for countless others). 
In 1952 the company departed from this practice, launching the all-new '346 Sapphire' saloon, which had been developed with input from the great W O Bentley. A large, refined six-seater, the Sapphire was an instant success despite being considerably more expensive than its smaller stablemates, and set new standards of performance and quality for Armstrong Siddeley. It was powered by an advanced, 3.4-litre, six-cylinder engine of 'square' (90mm) bore/stroke dimensions, which featured inclined valves in hemispherical combustion chambers. Initially there was a choice of four-speed pre-selector or synchromesh gearboxes, with a Rolls-Royce-built GM automatic available for 1955 on the Mark 2 version. A separate chassis was retained, boasting independent suspension at the front by means of coil-springs and wishbones, while power assisted steering could be ordered for the Mark 2. 
By 1957, sales of the larger Sapphire were in decline and Armstrong Siddeley responded with what would be the model's final variant, the Star Sapphire, which featured extensive revisions to the body, interior, engine, transmission and running gear, the intention being to create an even more effective competitor in the luxury car market. Engine capacity increased to 4.0 litres, a Borg Warner three-speed automatic gearbox was the only transmission on offer, and the Star became the first Armstrong Siddeley to incorporate disc brakes (Girlings at the front). Power assisted steering was standard. So well received was this new model, that the Star was awarded the Gold Medal and the Institute of British Carriage and Automobile Manufacturers 1st prize award for cars in its price range. Indeed, many knowledgeable enthusiasts consider these Star Sapphires to be the finest of all Armstrong Siddeley motor cars. Manufacture of all Armstrong Siddeley cars ceased in 1960 when the company decided to concentrated on the aviation side of its business, by which time only 902 production Star Sapphires had been completed. Today survivors of this elegant model are both rare and highly sought after.