This 1932 Armstrong-Siddeley was quite a catch at auction with Brightwells, recently
Every week, we’re highlighting an auction bargain that we reckon was well bought. Thanks to our friends at Classic Car Weekly, and its roving auction reporter, Richy Barnett, we’ll bring you some amazing cars at much lower-than-expected prices. This week, we’re looking at a 1932 Armstrong-Siddeley that went for around half price!
Car 1932 Armstrong-Siddeley 20hp Saloon
Sold for £14,560
Original estimate £15,000-18,000
Long story short: Great car, good time to buy.
This Armstrong-Siddeley had plenty of history working in its favour. Just four owners from new and coming with much history was a good starting point. The letter to EJ Kent (the car’ first owner) from Mr Siddeley, was included in the history, as was a receipt from the hotel where Mr Kent collected it. There was also a service book covering all the servicing and maintenance from 1932 to 1939, after which it was stored when war broke out. It was stored again from 1971 but had been given an engine and mechanical overhaul by 1988.
This Siddeley had clearly been looked after, but not over-restored, and not messed about with in terms of deviating from its original specification. With plenty of power, space and that delightful service history, there was much in its favour, and clearly more clued-up buyers thought so, too. Taking all factors into account this was a first-rate buy.
Armstrong-Siddeley 20hp price guide
Concours £30,000-35,000
Good £14,000-18,000
Usable £8000-10,000
Project £3000-5000
THIS CAR £14,560
Well bought Armstrong-Siddeley 20hp: The verdict
It’s off-the-radar – so fewer people were chasing after it. Brightwells always turns up an interesting array of pre-war cars and this was no exception. Okay, it wasn’t a sporting saloon, but it was a well-appointed motor with plenty of room and a thoroughly decent turn of speed from its six-cylinder, three-litre unit. But this marque doesn’t have the following of Bentleys from the same era, nor the affordability of Austin, Morris and Ford offerings, so plenty of bidders missed out on what a compelling car this was.
It majored on reliability, not show-stopping condition. The auctioneer was right to describe this 20hp as a ‘beautifully patinated and reliable touring car’, which had been used reliably on tours of Switzerland and France, as well as the UK, over the last four years. Coming with its factory-fitted engine and gearbox, the interior boasted ‘sumptuous leather seating’ as well as all the details, including the window blind tassels and cigar lighters. It was a smart buy – because it hadn’t been messed about with.
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