Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire (motor car)
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| Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Manufacturer | Armstrong Siddeley Motors |
| Production | 1952–1960 10,084 built[1] |
| Successor | none |
| Class | executive |
For the jet aero-engine, see Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire
The Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire was a large post-war saloon automobile made by the British company of Armstrong Siddeley. A distinctive element of the Sapphires was the V-shaped radiator which had the winged Armstrong Siddeley sphinx motif mounted on it. On some models the sphinx sported jet engines on its sides.
There were a number of Sapphire models produced between 1952 and 1960 when the company ceased car production.
Contents |
[edit] Sapphire 234
| Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire 234 | |
|---|---|
| Production | 1955–1958 803 made[1] |
| Body style(s) | FR 4-door saloon |
| Engine(s) | 2,290 cc Straight-4 |
| Wheelbase | 111 inches (2,819 mm)[2] |
| Length | 180 inches (4,572 mm) |
| Width | 68.5 inches (1,734 mm) |
The 234 was produced from from 1955 to 1958 and used a four-cylinder 2,290 cc version of the 346 engine. The transmission was a manual four-speed gearbox with optional overdrive.
803 were produced.
[edit] Sapphire 236
| Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire 236 | |
|---|---|
| Production | 1955–1957 603 made[1] |
| Body style(s) | FR 4-door saloon |
| Engine(s) | 2,310 cc Straight-6 |
| Wheelbase | 111 inches (2,819 mm)[2] |
| Length | 180 inches (4,572 mm) |
| Width | 68.5 inches (1,734 mm) |
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.
603 were produced.
[edit] Sapphire 346
| Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire 346 | |
|---|---|
| Production | 1953–1958 7,697 made[1] |
| Body style(s) | FR 4-door saloon limousine |
| Engine(s) | 3,435 cc Straight-6 |
| Wheelbase | 114 in (2896 mm)[2] 133 inches (3,378 mm) (limousine) |
| Length | 193 in (4902 mm)[3] 212 in (5385 mm) (limousine) |
| Width | 72 in (1829 mm)[3] |
| Height | 63 in (1600 mm)[3] |
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)[3] which increased the output from 125 to 150 bhp 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.[3]
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,[3] or four-speed synchromesh gearbox. It became available with automatic transmission (Rolls Royce four-speed) 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, however, there was an optional four-speed manual column-change gearbox available.
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.[3]
7,697 were produced.
[edit] Star Sapphire
| Armstrong Siddeley Star Sapphire | |
|---|---|
| Production | 1958–1960 980 made[1] |
| Body style(s) | FR 4-door saloon limousine |
| Engine(s) | 3,990 cc Straight-6 |
| 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) |
The Star Sapphire replaced the Sapphire models in late 1958 and continued through to the summer of 1960.
The six-cylinder engine was enlarged to 3,990 cc with twin Zenith carburettors as standard and power output up to [SAE] 165 bhp (167 hp), or [DIN] 145 bhp (147 hp, 108 kW).
Disc brakes were used on the front, servo assisted power steering was added. A BorgWarner type DG automatic gearbox was usually fitted.
A limousine version was made in 1960 only and had a single-carburettor engine and manual gearbox (the automatic gearbox was fitted to 12 limousines).
902 saloons were produced as well as 77 long-wheelbase cars, 73 of which were built as limousines (including 2 prototypes). The remaining 4 chassis were used for 3 hearses and an ambulance. The first Star saloon prototype was on a converted 346 Sapphire chassis. Total 980 cars.
[edit] Star Sapphire Mk. II
| Armstrong Siddeley Star Sapphire MkII | |
|---|---|
| Production | 1960 1 made[1] |
| Engine(s) | 3,990 cc Straight-6 |
The Mk II version did not get beyond prototype stage in 1960 and only one was produced.
[edit] References
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b c d Culshaw; Horrobin (1974). Complete Catalogue of British Cars. London: Macmillan. ISBN 0-333-16689-2.
- ^ a b c d e f g "The Armstrong Siddeley Saphire" (October 7 1953). The Motor.
[edit] External references
- A-Z of Cars 1945-1970. Bay View Books 1986. Michael Sedgwick and Mark Gillies. ISBN 1-870979-39-7
