Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire (motor car)

For the jet aero-engine, see Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire.

Motor vehicle

Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire

Sphinx symbol of silence

Overview
Manufacturer| Armstrong Siddeley Motors Limited
Production| 1952-1960
3½ litre 7,697
4 litre 981
2¼ litre 1,406
Total 10,084 built[1]
Body and chassis
Class| executive
Chronology
Successor| none

The Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire is a large automobile which was produced by the British company, Armstrong Siddeley Motors Limited, from 1952 to 1960.

A distinctive element of the Sapphires was the traditional Armstrong Siddeley V-shaped radiator grille with the Sphinx motif mounted on it.

On some models the sphinx sported aircraft wings carrying tiny Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire jet engines.

## Sapphire 234

[edit]

Motor vehicle

Sapphire 234

Sapphire 234 sports saloon registered 1958

Overview
Production| 1955–1958
803 made[1]
Body and chassis
Body style| 4-door saloon
Layout| Front-engine, rear-wheel drive
Related| Sapphire 236
Powertrain
Engine| 2,290 cc Straight-4
Transmission| Manual with optional overdrive
Dimensions
Wheelbase| 111 inches (2,819 mm)[2]
Length| 180 inches (4,572 mm)
Width| 68.5 inches (1,734 mm)

The Sapphire 234 and 236 were two cars identical in appearance but sold with different engines having different performance characteristics. The 234 could be purchased with wire wheels as an optional extra.

The 234 was produced from 1955 to 1958 and used a four-cylinder 2,290 cc version of the 346 engine.[3] The transmission was a manual four-speed gearbox with optional overdrive.[3]

A 100 mph car intended for the man who liked high performance.[4]

803 were produced.[3]

Reciprocating internal combustion engine

Sapphire 234 engine

Overview
Manufacturer| Armstrong Siddeley Motors Limited
Layout
Configuration| 4-cylinder in-line
Displacement| 2,290 cubic centimetres (140 cu in)
Cylinder bore| 90 mm (3.5 in)
Piston stroke| 90 mm (3.5 in)
Valvetrain| OHV
Compression ratio| 7.5:1
Combustion
Fuel system| Twin S.U. carburetters
Fuel type| Petrol
Cooling system| Water
Output
Power output| 120 bhp (89 kW; 120 PS)[5]

## Sapphire 236

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Motor vehicle

Sapphire 236

Sapphire 236 saloon registered March 1956

Overview
Production| 1955–1957
603 made[1]
Body and chassis
Body style| 4-door saloon
Layout| Front-engine, rear-wheel drive
Related| Sapphire 234
Powertrain
Engine| 2,309 cc Straight-6
Transmission| Manumatic or Manual either with optional overdrive
Dimensions
Wheelbase| 111 inches (2,819 mm)[2]
Length| 180 inches (4,572 mm)
Width| 68.5 inches (1,734 mm)
Chronology
Predecessor| Whitley

The 236 was made between 1955 and 1957 and used the six-cylinder 2,310 cc engine previously seen in the Armstrong Siddeley Whitley. A conventional manual gearbox was available but many were fitted with a Lockheed Manumatic "clutchless" transmission. Overdrive was an option on either transmission.

This car with an 85 mph maximum was intended to be a quiet, flexible, easy-to-drive saloon.[4]

603 were produced.[3]

Reciprocating internal combustion engine

Sapphire 236 engine

Overview
Manufacturer| Armstrong Siddeley Motors Limited
Layout
Configuration| 6-cylinder in-line
Displacement| 2,309 cubic centimetres (141 cu in)
Cylinder bore| 70 mm (2.8 in)
Piston stroke| 100 mm (3.9 in)
Valvetrain| pushrod OHV
Compression ratio| 7.5:1
Combustion
Fuel system| Single downdraught Stromberg carburetter
Fuel type| Petrol
Cooling system| Water
Output
Power output| 85 bhp (63 kW; 86 PS)[5] @4500 rpm

## Sapphire 346

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Motor vehicle

Sapphire 346

Overview
Production| 1953–1958
7,697 made[1]
Body and chassis
Body style| 4-door saloon
limousine
Layout| Front-engine, rear-wheel drive
Powertrain
Engine| 3,435 cc Straight-6
Dimensions
Wheelbase| 114 in (2,896 mm)[2]
133 inches (3,378 mm) (limousine)
Length| 193 in (4,902 mm)[6]
212 in (5,385 mm) (limousine)
Width| 72 in (1,829 mm)[6]
Height| 63 in (1,600 mm)[6]

The 346 was the first of the Sapphires introduced late in 1952 for sale in 1953 and continuing until 1958. The six-cylinder 3,435 cc engine had hemi-spherical combustion chambers and could have optional twin Stromberg carburettors(£25 extra)[6] which increased the output from 125 to 150 bhp (93 to 112 kW) giving a top speed in excess of 100 mph (161 km/h). The front suspension was independent coil springs with a rigid axle and leaf springs at the rear. The Girling hydraulic brakes used 11 in (279 mm) drums all round.[6]

The body was available as a four- or six-light (two or three windows on each side) at the same cost and with either a bench or individual front seats. The seats were finished in leather, with the dashboard and door-cappings in walnut veneer. A heater was standard.

It was introduced with the choice of a Wilson electrically-controlled finger-tip four-speed pre-selector gearbox as a £30 option,[6] or four-speed synchromesh gearbox. It became available with automatic transmission (a Rolls-Royce-made Hydramatic four-speed[7]) with the introduction of the Mark II in 1954.

A long-wheelbase model was launched in 1955 as a limousine version which had the pre-selector gearbox as standard, and there was an optional four-speed manual column-change gearbox available. It featured a longer-wheelbase chassis (extended by 21 inches or 535 mm) and a body incorporating a limousine division.

Models for export to the U.S. always featured twin carburettors.[8]

A saloon with the optional twin-carburettors and synchromesh transmission, tested by the British magazine The Motor in 1953, had a top speed of 100.1 mph (161.1 km/h) and could accelerate from 0–60 mph (97 km/h) in 13.0 seconds. A fuel consumption of 18.7 miles per imperial gallon (15.1 L/100 km; 15.6 mpg‑US) was recorded. The test car cost £1,757 including taxes.[6]

7,697 were produced.

## Star Sapphire

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Motor vehicle

Star Sapphire

Overview
Manufacturer| Armstrong Siddeley Motors Limited at
Bristol Siddeley Engines Limited, Coventry[9]
Production| 1958–1960
980 made[1]
Body and chassis
Body style| 4-door saloon
limousine
Layout| Front-engine, rear-wheel drive
Powertrain
Engine| 3,990 cc Straight-6
Dimensions
Wheelbase| 114 inches (2,896 mm)[2]
135 inches (3,429 mm) (limousine)
Length| 194 inches (4,928 mm)
212 inches (5,385 mm) (limousine)
Width| 74 inches (1,880 mm)
Height| 63.5 in (1,613 mm)[10]

The Star Sapphire saloon was announced on 17 October 1958[11] and production continued through to the summer of 1960.[9] It retained the previous model's commanding driving position. Though little changed externally, the radiator grille no longer rose to the top of the bonnet. Many refinements were incorporated.

The six-cylinder engine was enlarged more than 16% to 3,990 cc, twin Stromberg carburettors were standard, and power output increased to [SAE] 165 bhp (167 hp, 123 kW), or [DIN] 145 bhp (147 hp, 108 kW). There was an increase of nearly 30% in torque at 50 mph. The big-end and main bearings were now made of lead-indium, and a vibration damper was fitted to the nose of the crankshaft. The compression ratio was raised to 7.5-to-1. The car could now lap the Lindley high-speed track at 104 mph.[11]

Interior of the Star Sapphire saloon

Various suspension modifications were incorporated. Servo-assisted 12 in (305 mm) Girling disc brakes were installed on the front wheels, and Burman recirculating ball-power steering was standardised, reducing the turning circle by 4'6". A Borg-Warner–type DG automatic gearbox was fitted, incorporating a lever on the fascia to hold an intermediate gear at 35, 45, 55, and 65 m.p.h.[11]

Door hinges were concealed, and the front doors hinged at their leading edge. There was an independent heater for the rear passengers and demisting slots for the rear window. All features were standard; the provision of alternatives being believed to lead to an unsatisfactory compromise.[11]

902 saloons were produced and 77 long-wheelbase cars,[3] 73 of which were built as limousines (including 2 prototypes). The limousine version was made only in 1960 and had a single-carburettor engine and manual gearbox (the automatic gearbox was fitted to 12 examples). The remaining 4 chassis were used for 3 hearses and an ambulance. 980 Star Sapphires were produced.

The Star Sapphire won the £4,000 four-door coachwork class at the 1958 Earls Court Motor Show ahead of a Princess limousine and a Jaguar Mark IX.[12]

A Star Sapphire saloon with automatic transmission was tested by the British magazine The Motor in 1959. It had a top speed of 99.6 mph (160.3 km/h) and could accelerate from 0–60 mph (97 km/h) in 14.8 seconds. A fuel consumption of 15.4 miles per imperial gallon (18.3 L/100 km; 12.8 mpg‑US) was recorded. The test car cost £2,498 including £735 taxes.[10] Purchase tax had been reduced by one-sixth on 8 April 1959.

### Market sector

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Prices including tax October 1958

* £2,646 Star Sapphire
* £2,492 Daimler Majestic
* £2,163 Jaguar Mark IX with automatic transmission
* £1,939 Jaguar XK150
* £1,666 Humber Super Snipe with automatic transmission

## Star Sapphire Mk. II

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Motor vehicle

Star Sapphire MkII

Overview
Production| 1960
1 made[1]
Powertrain
Engine| 3,990 cc Straight-6

The Mk II version (1960) did not proceed beyond prototype stage; only one was produced.

## In Film and Books

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* Diamonds Are Forever by Ian Fleming

In chapter 6, 'In Transit', James Bond gets picked up at the Ritz Hotel in London by a chauffeur-driven black Armstrong–Siddeley Sapphire. The year and mark of the car are not noted but the novel was published in 1956. The car had red dealer plates.
* 1956 British film Wicked as They Come

Kathy Allen, played by Arlene Dahl, is picked-uo at the London Airport and dropped-off at The May Fair Hotel in a black Armstrong–Siddeley limousine.[13]
* 1955 British film The Flaw. Paul Oliveri, played by John Bentley, drives round in Armstrong-Siddeley Sapphire.

## References

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1. ^ a b c d e f Sedgwick, M.; Gillies, M. (1986). A-Z of Cars 1945-1970. Devon, UK: Bay View Books. ISBN 1-870979-39-7.
2. ^ a b c d Culshaw; Horrobin (1974). Complete Catalogue of British Cars. London: Macmillan. ISBN 0-333-16689-2.
3. ^ a b c d e Robson, Graham (2006). A to Z British Cars 1945-1980. England: Herridge & Sons. pp. 32. ISBN 0954106393.
4. ^ a b Britain's New Cars On Show At Earls Court. FROM OUR MOTORING CORRESPONDENT. The Times, Oct 18, 1955; pg. 11; Issue 53354.
5. ^ a b ARMSTRONG-SIDDELEY EXTEND SAPPHIRE RANGE: Two New Cars in Specialist Class. A Motoring Correspondent. The Manchester Guardian (1901-1959) [Manchester (UK)] 18 Oct 1955: 2.
6. ^ a b c d e f g "The Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire". The Motor. 7 October 1953.
7. ^ Chaundy, David (April 2018), "Rolls-Royce built "Hydramatic" automatic transmission" (PDF), KDA132, p. 4, archived from the original (PDF) on 1 July 2021
8. ^ Robert Penn Bradly: The Original 346 Sapphire explored to great depth; Limula Pty Ltd, Bardwell Park, NSW, Australia, 2008.
9. ^ a b Coventry Dispute Cuts Production. The Times, Monday, Feb 08, 1960; pg. 5; Issue 54689
10. ^ a b "The Armstrong Siddeley Star Sapphire". The Motor. 10 June 1959.
11. ^ a b c d New Armstrong Siddeley Car. The Times, Friday, Oct 17, 1958; pg. 4; Issue 54284.
12. ^ Car Coachwork Competitions.The Times, Friday, Oct 31, 1958; pg. 14; Issue 54296.
13. ^ Long wheelbase Sapphire limo has Arlene Dahl as passenger (at 3:05)

## External links

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* Armstrong Siddeley Sphinx motif
* retrospective history, focusing on early Sapphire engines
* A-Z of Cars 1945–1970. Bay View Books 1986. Michael Sedgwick and Mark Gillies. ISBN 1-870979-39-7