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Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire |
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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.
[] Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire 234
The 234 was produced from from 1955 to 1958 and used a four cylinder 2290 cc version of the 346 engine. The transmission was a manual four speed gearbox with optional overdrive.
803 were produced.
[] Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire 236
The 236 was made between 1955 and 1957 and used the 6 cylinder 2310 cc engine previously seen in the Armstrong Siddeley Whitley. A conventional manual gearbox was available but many were fitted with Lockheed Manumatic "clutchless" transmission.
603 were produced.
[] Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire 346
The 346 was the first of the Sapphires introduced late in 1952 for sale in 1953 and continuing until 1958. The 6 cylinder 3435 cc engine had hemi-spherical combustion chambers and could have optional twin carburettors which increased the output from 125 to 150 bhp giving a top speed in excess of 100 mph.
It was introduced with a choice of Wilson electrically-controlled finger-tip 4-speed pre-selector gearbox or synchromesh gearboxes. It became available in an automatic version (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 4-speed manual column-change gearbox available.
7697 were produced.
[] Armstrong Siddeley Star Sapphire
The Star Sapphire replaced the Sapphire models in late 1958 and continued through to the summer of 1960.
The 6 cylinder engine was enlarged to 3990cc with twin carburettors as standard and power output up to (SAE)165bhp = 167hp or (DIN)145bhp = 147hp or 108kW .
Disc brakes were used on the front, servo assisted power steering was added. A Borg Warner 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 wheel base 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.
[] Armstrong Siddeley Star Sapphire Mk. II
The Mk II version did not get beyond prototype stage in 1960 and only 1 was produced.
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