History
Armstrong Siddeley began building motor cars in 1919 and, building on their reputation as aircraft makers, offered “Cars of Aircraft Quality”. They were low volume, handbuilt cars of high quality and with advanced features. In the late 1920s, when driving meant matching revs, no synchros and ‘crash’ gearboxes, Armstrong Siddeley offered a semi-automated gearbox known as a preselect, which made for smooth driving and importantly gave many women of the day their first opportunity to drive a motor car. The build quality and refinement earned their cars the slogan, “As silent and inscrutable as the Sphinx”, which became the mascot of the brand. The last Armstrong Siddeley car was sold in 1960, with the company choosing instead to focus on aircraft manufacture.
As Hawker Siddeley produced the Lancaster Bomber and Hurricane Fighter Aircraft in WW2, when Peace came they immediately released their new Armstrong Siddeley cars to the market, naming them after their wartime products, who ‘saved the day’, the Lancaster Saloon, and Hurricane Drophead Coupe.
My Armstrong Siddeley is a ‘Hurricane’ Drophead Coupe, built in 1949.
My Armstrong Siddeley ‘Hurricane’ is quite special because it is one of only 12 of these vehicles delivered new to Australia, Sold by Buckle Motors in Sydney.
The Armstrong Siddeley Car Club has about 180 members across Australia with local events normally held regularly in major cities and an annual rally rotating between states that attracts about 100 members. The club also has an active spare parts service and great technical support. It's a fabulous way to connect with like-minded enthusiasts.
