Once upon a time

John Davenport Siddeley was born in 1866 in Manchester. He first started working within the embryonic motor industry in 1892 before establishing the Siddeley Autocar Company in 1902. Early cars were based on Peugeot chassis and engines, although by 1904 Siddeley was starting to manufacture its own range of cars. This is generally accepted as the beginning of the Armstrong Siddeley story. By 1905 over 12 different models were offered by the company, and over 100 people were employed.

In 1905 John Siddeley joined Wolseley as General Manager, and from then until 1909 the cars produced were known as Wolseley-Siddeleys. These were very substantial and expensive motorcars. It is reputed that Queen Alexandra owned a Wolsely-Siddeley. Herbert Austin was, at the time John Siddeley joined Wolseley, Engineering Director although he was soon to leave to set up his own Austin Motors.

Meanwhile in 1906, ex-cavalry officer and explorer Henry Hugh Peter Deasy took over the Iden Motor Company and from this start established the Deasy Motor Car Manufacturing Co. In 1909 following an irreconcilable fall out with his Chief Engineer, he resigned his directorship and subsequently severed all connections with the company.

Following Henry Deasy's departure, John Siddeley joined The Deasy Motor Manufacturing Co. as General Manager, and subsequently became Managing Director. In 1912 the company became known as Siddeley-Deasy, and by 1914 was a successful car manufacturing company employing 500 people.

Between the Wars

Following the outbreak of WW1, the Siddeley-Deasy Co. extended its manufacturing activities to include lorries and ambulances as well as aero engines and airframes. By the end of the war the company's workforce had increased to 5000 people. During the war Siddeley-Deasy had developed a close commercial relationship with Armstrong Whitworth, and in 1919 the two companies merged to form Armstrong Siddeley.

The first car to be introduced by the newly formed company had a five litre engine producing 30 h.p. It also had the 'V' grill which was to become synonymous with Armstrong Siddeley in the future. Despite the austere times the '30' was to remain in production until 1932. The Duke of York, later King George V1, was one eminent owner. In addition to this model, there was also a range of tourers and saloons fitted with 14 h.p. and 18 h.p. engines.

In 1927 John Siddeley demerged Armstrong Siddeley and the Sir W G Armstrong Aircraft Co. from Armstrong Whitworth. In 1935 he merged these two companies with Hawker Aircraft to form the Hawker Siddeley Group, although each member company maintained it's independence. In 1936 John Siddeley, now Sir John, announced his retirement and Tommy Sopwith took over the running of the whole group. Sir John was awarded a peerage in 1937 to become the first Lord Kenilworth, and he died in 1953.

During the 1930's an extensive range of motor cars were offered by Armstrong Siddeley, from a comparatively modest 12 h.p. saloon to the ultimate Armstrong Siddeley of all time; the mighty Siddeley Special. With a five litre engine producing 30 h.p. like its predecessor from 1920, the Siddeley Special was available with limousine, saloon, tourer and roadster bodies. The latter, on a short wheel base chassis, was capable of speeds of up to 90 m.p.h. By 1937 the limousine weighed a not inconsiderable 2.5 tons. Between 1933 and 1937 253 'Siddeley Specials' left the Coventry factory.

During WW2 the Hawker Siddeley group focused on the war effort, developing and producing aircraft, aero engines, gearboxes for tanks and torpedo motors. Up to 100,000 people were employed at this time.

Post WW2

By the end of the 1930's Armstrong Siddeley had established a reputation for producing reliable, spacious, comfortable and superbly finished prestige coachbuilt motor cars. Determined to maintain and even improve upon this reputation, Armstrong Siddeley were the first motor manufacturer to introduce a completely new range of cars following the end of the Second World War.

In May 1945 Armstrong Siddeley announced the launch of a new range of 2.0 litre six cylinder cars. Each model was to be named after a famous war time aircraft associated with the parent company, Hawker Siddeley. The first of this range was the Hurricane, a drop-head coupe, introduced in November 1945. 'The Autocar' reported that '.....it is a remarkably attractive car........of exceptional quality..........with handling quite out of the ordinary.' The Hurricane was closely followed in January 1946 by the Lancaster, a six-light, four door saloon. The third model in the range was the Typhoon, a fixed head coupe, introduced later in the autumn of 1946.

Finally in 1950 the Whitley,a four-light four door saloon, was introduced. The Whitley inorporated a number of design changes. The body had a semi-razor edge roof line, easier access to the spare wheel bay and sculpted bumpers. Internally there was a new dashboard layout and redesigned upholstery. The most important change was under the bonnet. A new 2309cc six cylinder engine producing 18 h.p. replaced the original two litre unit. These changes were also incorporated where appropriate into the other models. The Hurricane, along with the Whitley continued in production until early in 1954 although production of the Lancaster and Typhoon ceased some time before.

The Final Years

At the 1952 Motor Show a completely new model was introduced; the Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire, named after Hawker Siddeley's famous Sapphire aero engine. Powered by a 3.4 litre engine producing 120 b.h.p., and with optional twin carburettors, the Sapphire was capable of speeds up to 100 m.p.h.; rare in a luxury saloon designed over fifty years ago.

In 1956 two new models joined the Sapphire, now designated the 346. Sharing the same body the 234 and 236 were however very different cars. The Sapphire 234, fitted with a four cylinder engine producing 120 b.h.p., was capable of speeds of 100 m.p.h. and appealed to those seeking a high performance sports saloon. On the other hand the Sapphire 236, fitted with a 6 cylinder engine derived from 2.3 litre engine fitted to the Hurricane and Whitley, was designed to appeal to those who wanted the quietness and refinement offered by a large car, but in a medium one.

Although built to the exacting standards traditionally offered by Armstrong Siddeley, neither model was a success, with only 1400 being manufactured in total. Very few remain on the road today.

1958 saw the introduction of the last model to be produced by Armstrong Siddeley. The Armstrong Siddeley Star Sapphire was developed from the 346 Sapphire, and incorporated a new 4 litre engine producing 165 b.h.p. The Star Sapphire was a powerful, large , refined, and luxurious saloon able to compete with the very best available at the time.

Sadly, little more than a year after the introduction of the Star Sapphire, Hawker Siddeley Group merged with Bristol Aircraft Ltd to form Bristol Siddeley, and very soon after production of Armstrong Siddeley cars ceased. In 1965 Bristol Siddeley was acquired by Rolls Royce.

The Armstrong Siddeley name is kept alive by the very active Armstrong Siddeley Owners Club, its members and individual enthusiasts in the UK, and by owners clubs and  enthusiasts in many other countries including Australia, New Zealand, Holland and Spain. It is the enthusiasm and commitment of these people which enables so many  examples of this outstanding company's motor cars to remain on the road. For more information about this highly regarded marque, please follow the link to www.siddeley.com