The Sapphire 234 and 236 models are identical in appearance, but with different engines and different performance characteristics. The 234 was offered with wire wheels as an optional extra.
The 234 was made from 1955 to 1958. It has a four-cylinder, 2,290cc version of the 346 engine.[3] The transmission is a manual four-speed gearbox with optional overdrive.[3] It was marketed as a 100 mph car for drivers who liked high performance.[4] 803 were made.[3]
The 236 was made between 1955 and 1957, and has the six-cylinder 2,310cc engine previously installed in the Armstrong Siddeley Whitley 18. A conventional manual gearbox was offered, but many were fitted with a Lockheed Manumatic "clutchless" transmission. Overdrive was an option on either transmission. This model, with an 85mph top speed, was intended to be a quiet, flexible, easy-to-drive saloon.[4] 603 were made.[3]
The 346 was the first of the Sapphire models. It was introduced late in 1952 for sale in 1953, and was made until 1958. The six-cylinder, 3,435cc engine had hemispherical combustion chambers. Optional twin Stromberg carburettors, for £25 extra,[6] increased the output from 125 to 150bhp (93 to 112kW), giving a top speed in excess of 100mph (161km/h). The front suspension is independent coil springs; the rear has a rigid axle with leaf springs. The Girling hydraulic brakes use 11in (279mm) drums all round.[6]
The body was offered in four- or six-light versions (i.e., two or three windows on each side), at the same cost, and with either a bench front seat or individual front seats. The seats were finished in leather, with the dashboard and door-cappings in walnut veneer. A heater was standard.
The 346 was introduced with the option of a Wilson electrically-controlled finger-tip four-speed preselector gearbox for £30 extra,[6] or a four-speed synchromesh gearbox. In 1954, the 346 Mark II was offered Rolls-Royce-made Hydramatic four-speed automatic transmission.[7]
A long-wheelbase model was launched in 1955 as a limousine version. This had the pre-selector gearbox as standard, or four-speed manual column-change gearbox as an option. The chassis is 21 inches (535mm) longer, and the body has a limousine division.
All cars for export to the US were fitted with twin carburettors.[8]
A saloon with the optional twin-carburettors and synchromesh transmission, tested by the British magazine The Motor in 1953, achieved a top speed of 100.1mph (161.1km/h), and accelerated from 0–60mph (97km/h) in 13.0 seconds. A fuel consumption of 18.7 miles per imperial gallon (15.1L/100km; 15.6mpg‑US) was recorded. The test car cost £1,757 including taxes.[6]
7,697 were made.
Star Sapphire
Motor vehicle
Star Sapphire
Overview
Manufacturer
Armstrong Siddeley Motors Limited at Bristol Siddeley Engines Limited, Coventry[9]
The Star Sapphire saloon was announced on 17 October 1958[11] and was made until summer 1960.[9] It retains the previous model's commanding driving position. Though little changed externally, the radiator grille no longer rose to the top of the bonnet. Many refinements were incorporated.
The six-cylinder engine was enlarged by more than 16% to 3,990cc. Twin Stromberg carburettors were standard, and power output increased to [SAE] 165bhp (167hp, 123kW), or [DIN] 145bhp (147hp, 108kW). There was an increase of nearly 30% in torque at 50 mph. The big-end and main bearings were now made of lead-indium, and a vibration damper was fitted to the nose of the crankshaft. The compression ratio was raised to 7.5-to-1. The car could now lap the Lindley high-speed track at 104 mph.[11]
Interior of the Star Sapphire saloon
Various suspension modifications were included. The front brakes are servo-assisted 12in (305mm) Girling discs, and Burman recirculating ball-power steering was standardised, reducing the turning circle by 4'6". A Borg-Warner–type DG automatic gearbox was fitted, incorporating a lever on the fascia to hold an intermediate gear at 35, 45, 55, and 65 m.p.h.[11]
Door hinges were concealed, and the front doors hinged at their leading edge. There was an independent heater for the rear passengers and de-misting slots for the rear window. All features were standard, as the provision of alternatives was believed to lead to an unsatisfactory compromise.[11]
902 saloons were made, plus 77 long-wheelbase cars,[3] 73 of which were built as limousines (including two prototypes). The limousine version was made only in 1960, has a single-carburettor engine, and inmost cases a manual gearbox. The automatic gearbox was fitted to 12 examples. The remaining four chassis were used for three hearses and an ambulance. 980 Star Sapphires were made.
The Star Sapphire won the £4,000 four-door coachwork class at the 1958 Earls Court Motor Show, ahead of an Austin Princess limousine and a Jaguar Mark IX.[12]
A Star Sapphire saloon with automatic transmission was tested by the British magazine The Motor in 1959. It achieved a top speed of 99.6mph (160.3km/h), and accelerated from 0–60mph (97km/h) in 14.8 seconds. A fuel consumption of 15.4 miles per imperial gallon (18.3L/100km; 12.8mpg‑US) was recorded. The test car cost £2,498, including £735 taxes.[10]Purchase tax had been reduced by one-sixth on 8 April 1959.
In chapter 6, 'In Transit', James Bond is picked up from the The Ritz Hotel, London by a chauffeur-driven black Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire. The year and mark of the car are not noted, but the novel was published in 1956. The car had red dealer plates.
Kathy Allen, played by Arlene Dahl, is picked up from London Airport and dropped off at The May Fair Hotel in a black Armstrong Siddeley limousine.[13]
1955 British film The Flaw. Paul Oliveri, played by John Bentley, drives an Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire.
References
123456Sedgwick, Michael; Gillies, Mark (1986). A–Z of Cars 1945–1970. Bideford: Bay View Books. ISBN1-870979-39-7.
1234Culshaw, David; Horrobin, Peter (1974). Complete Catalogue of British Cars. London: Macmillan. ISBN0-333-16689-2.
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