Armstrong Siddeley was one of the leading brands of British motor cars
from the 1920s through to 1960. It created luxury motor cars that were
renowned for their high standards. In this comprehensive book, David
Welch relates the history of the marque and the various car models,
sprinkled with interesting anecdotes from the complex company history
and remarkable journeys achieved by Armstrong Siddeley owners. This
includes the early history of Armstrong Siddeley and the relationships
with Herbert Austin and Lionel de Rothschild, as well as the later sale
to the Hawker Aircraft Company. The book covers the many cars developed
by Armstrong Siddeley over the years, including the Siddeley 100hp
racing car produced for the 1905 Gordon Bennett Trophy, the Stoneleigh
light car, designed to compete with the Austin 7, the 18hp and 30hp, the
Siddeley Special Six, the Sapphire 346, which took part in the Monte
Carlo rally, and the Atalanta. The author also describes numerous other
models and a plethora of coachwork styles available from the company and
independent coach builders. The book includes revolutionary inventions
made by the company, such as the introduction of the pre-selector or
self-changing gear box and its use in everything from tanks and buses to
racing cars. Drawing on previously unpublished photographs from the
manufacturer's archives and the author's own collection, this is the
definitive guide to one of the classic British car manufacturers of a
bygone era.
