Sunday 5 March 2017

Six Armstrong Siddeleys from Sir Colin Hope Collection for Sale with H&H Classics


Great Motoring names never die, they just come to auction to refresh the enthusiasm they created. And that is the case once more when six stunning Armstrong Siddeleys from the Sir Colin Hope Collection go on sale at the H&H Classics auction at Duxford, the Imperial War Museum on Wednesday, March 29th.

Armstrong Siddeley was a British engineering group that operated during the first half of the 20th century. It was formed in 1919 and is best known for its luxury vehicles and aircraft engines. It ceased production in 1960.

Head of Sales at H&H Classics, Damian Jones says:
“The late Sir Colin Hope was a lifelong car enthusiast who had owned various Bugattis and Rileys before deciding to build a collection of Armstrong Siddeleys in later life.
“As a former President of the Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders and a trustee of the Beaulieu National Motor Museum he had an acute appreciation of Britain's Motoring Heritage and was determined to champion Armstrong Siddeleys a once great marque that is all too often forgotten these days. These cars were his passion.
“He sourced several of the cars from the Antipodes such was his determination to own as widespread a cross section of pre-WW2 models as possible.”

The cars are all being sold ‘Without Reserve’, so will all doubtless find new owners.


Sir Colin Hope, who died aged 83 in late 2015, was a leading figure in the automotive industry, and a player in some of its major corporate dramas of the 1980s and 1990s. As boss of Dunlop then Turner & Newall he relished the cut and thrust of corporate takeovers. Sir Colin was survived by his wife Gillian, his sons Marc and Vince and five grandchildren. 

1929 Armstrong Siddeley 12hp Tourer – Finished in Two-Tone Green over Black with Dark Green trim

Introduced in October 1928, the Armstrong Siddeley 12hp was arguably the marque's first model to target mass-market sales. Powered by a sidevalve, six-cylinder 1236cc engine, the newcomer offered class competitive performance and was more refined than some four-cylinder rivals. Initially available as a two-seater coupe, four-seater tourer or fabric saloon, the 12hp could be had with more elaborate coachwork by October 1930 including a coachbuilt saloon derivative which was nicely crafted but decidedly heavy.

Entering the late Sir Colin Hope's collection in 1994, the Four-Seater Tourer has since been treated to four new wings, replacement running boards and an engine overhaul. Little used over the past seven years, it was in running order when photographed during late October 2016 but will require recommissioning prior to road use.

1925 Armstrong Siddeley 14hp MK II Cotswold Tourer – Finished in Blue over Black with Black trim

Introduced in 1923, the Armstrong Siddeley 14hp was rather more affordable than its 18hp and 30hp siblings. Powered by an 1852cc four-cylinder OHV engine, the newcomer was further distinguished from the marque's larger horsepower models by the use of a flat rather than V-shaped radiator.

Launched in 1925, the Mark II version was based around a new chassis equipped with with four-wheel drum brakes and semi-elliptic front and rear springs (as opposed to the cantilever springs used on the Mark I). The improved chassis enabled the company to offer a wider range of open and closed body styles. The Cotswold tourer - a full five-seater car which was supplied with a hood and side screens - proved to be the most popular open derivative.

Entering the late Sir Colin Hope's collection in 1993, the Mark II Cotswold Tourer has since been treated to four new wings, new running boards and a re-spray. The engine is understood to have been overhauled some fifteen years ago with the gearbox receiving new internals at the same time. 

1928 Armstrong Siddeley 15hp Tourer – Finished in Red over Black with Maroon trim

Introduced in October 1927, the six-cylinder Armstrong Siddeley 15hp could be had with the same range of coachwork as the marque's established four-cylinder 14hp model. Boasting a slightly larger engine (1900cc vs 1852cc) albeit with side rather than overhead valves, the newcomer supplanted its older sibling for the 1930 season.

Entering the late Sir Colin Hope's collection in 1998, this particular Open Tourer example had been supplied new to a New Zealand-based chicken famer some seventy years earlier. The subject of much past restoration work, more recent fettling has including the fitment of a new water pump and replacement flywheel.

1926 Armstrong Siddeley 18hp MK II Short Tourer – Finished in Dark Blue over Black with Dark Blue trim

Introduced in 1921, the Armstrong Siddeley 18hp was a derivative of the marque's first offering - the 30hp - which had debuted some two years earlier. Powered by a smaller 2318cc OHV six-cylinder engine, the newcomer also sat on a shorter 10ft 0in wheelbase but utilised the same 4ft 8in track and suspension layout as its larger sibling. The company made 2,126 examples of the 18hp in its original form.

Entering the late Sir Colin Hope's collection in 1996, this particular 18hp MKII Short Tourer has since been treated to an engine overhaul. A brass plaque affixed to its bulkhead indicates that the car was restored by D&C Brooks of Northampton during 1993.

1928 Armstrong Siddeley 20hp Long Ascot Tourer – Finished in White over Black with Maroon trim

Supplied new to the Earl of Duncie, this particular Long 20hp Ascot Tourer entered the late Sir Colin Hope's ownership some seventy-one years later. Self-evidently the subject of much past restoration work, the Armstrong Siddeley was treated to an engine overhaul approximately 10-15 years ago

Introduced in 1921, the Armstrong Siddeley 18hp was a derivative of the marque's first offering - the 30hp - which had debuted some two years earlier. Powered by a smaller 2318cc OHV six-cylinder engine, the newcomer also sat on a shorter 10ft 0in wheelbase but utilised the same 4ft 8in track and suspension layout as its larger sibling. The company made 2,126 examples of the 18hp in its original form.

1935 Armstrong Siddeley Special MK II Touring Limousine – Finished in Black with Green upholstery

Arguably the most exotic Armstrong Siddeley ever produced, the Siddeley Special was unveiled at the 1932 Olympia Motor Show. Fabricated from aircraft-grade Hiduminium alloy, its 5 litre straight-six engine was notably smooth and powerful. Available with a variety of open and closed coachwork, the Siddeley Special was among the best performing luxury cars of its generation. 

As well as the choice of two wheelbase lengths, the Mark II version also ushered in a host of detail improvements including twin SU carburettors. Of the 253 Siddeley Specials made, just 30 or so are known to have survived to the present day.

Initially serving as a factory demonstrator, chassis 3418 was sold to its first private keeper, Sir George Shirtcliffe, on 5th September 1936. Resident in the Antipodes for most of its life, the Touring Limousine was repatriated by the late Sir Colin Hope during winter 1998 and reissued with its original UK number plate, 'BWK 256', the following year. 

Seemingly never allowed to deteriorate to the point of needing restoration, the Siddeley Special is understood to have been mechanically overhauled whilst in Australia. More recent work has included a brake system overhaul.

For further information, please visit www.handh.co.uk



Scroll down to read more articles like this which have been published recently

Why not Sign-up to Receive these Articles by Email each Day

Enter your email address:


Delivered by FeedBurner


* Read more current and archived articles on our dedicated website *

Low Cost and Free Publicity - Your company can easily benefit from some publicity like this in return for a contribution towards our layout costs (£35 to £55 plus VAT), payable via PayPal or credit card  or receive the service absolutely free of charge if you advertise (see below).

We post articles up to twice a day and never delete them - we only archive them each year so that they continue to remain visible to search engines.

To have your story published - just send us your news item, logo and image(s) and we will review the material, make any necessary changes to the wording / wordcount and then advise you when it will be published.

If you take display advertising or product and literature features in our printed and online publications, you will qualify for regular free postings on this blog while you continue to advertise with us.

For details on features and advertising rates please contact us or visit our website.

Door Industry Journal is a trading style of Avalon Innovations LLP Company Registration No. 06807833

No comments: