Armstrong Siddeley Gold Portfolio, 1945-60

Cars of the Connoisseur" newsletter, , December 2006, UK 'This 30 year 484 page labor of love is a unique blend of social, economic and industrial history, chronicling the full story of the company from Siddeley's birth to the present day. I asked 'connoisseur' and Armstrong Siddeley owner John Beaumont for his expert opinion and he reports as follows: 'This mammoth book was launched in June at Palace House, Beaulieu with a display of cars and their owners and was heralded as a masterpiece. Apart from John Siddeley's family, the involvement of Lord William Armstrong, the Wolsley and Rothschild families, and W.O. Bentley and his design team are explained in detail. Of particular interest is the sale by John Siddeley to Tommy Sopwith in 1936 of what became the Hawker Hurricane fighter. 'This courageous foresight (with an initial order of only 200 from the Air Ministry) was a major factor in winning the Battle of Britain. Several of us are proud owners of Armstrong Siddeley Hurricanes to this day. Fascinating social commentaries of the time are the list of prominent owners of each model, but the political and economic background is not forgotten and the relationship between the aero and car companies is well covered. Author Bill Smith has owned Armstrong Siddeley cars since 1968, becoming the Club Historian since 1976 and this tome is a treasure which will appeal to many other enthusiasts outside the realm of Armstrong Siddeley. - Classics Monthly" magazine, October 2006, UK If you've an interest in Armstrong Siddeley then do whatever you need to do to own this book. Sell the kids, go without food, but don't forget to strengthen your book shelves as 500 pages are heavy. Every fact andfigure, chassis by chassis, is here - including the AS trains and planes. All images are black and white but that's the only criticism. A very specialist title but, with this high level of quality, stocks deserve to sell out quickly. Classic Cars" magazine, August 2006, UK Armstrong Siddeleys were once some of Britain's most stylish and technically-sophisticated cars and this is indeed the definitive account of the marque and its life over four decades. The book covers the maker's economic, design and model history as well the links between the aeroplane and car companies. It's backed up with period photographs, although all of the 496 medium-format pages are black and white only, and It includes details on cars by chassis number as well as recent club activities. A thorough account best left for Armstrong Siddeley lovers.