What Were They Thinking: Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire 234

The United Kingdom along with its allies won World War 2, but the aftermath was economically painful.   For automobile makers in the UK and elsewhere, prewar model production resumed while efforts were made to get new designs into production.  Given the weak state of the British economy, development funding was hard to find once wartime profits had been burned off because sales levels were low domestically.  Much production, such as it was, was earmarked for North American and other overseas markets with the objective of bringing cash to the country.

Armstrong Siddeley, a defense manufacturer and carmaker, didn't come up with a true postwar model until 1955 when it launched the Sapphire 234 and 236 models.  These sold poorly: 803 and 603 units respectively during a three-year run.

Those model numbers are confusing, because the 234 four-cylinder model was a much better performer than its six-cylinder 236 counterpart.  This difference is reflected in current sales and auction prices for the few remaining cars.

So far as this blog is concerned, styling of the 34s and 236s was odd, even strange so far as the rear two-thirds of the body is concerned.  At this late date, I don't know why the design was the way it was.  Poor styling talent?  Bad management decisions?  A small development budget?  The result makes me wonder: What Were They Thinking?

Let's take a look.

Gallery

Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire 346 - factory retouched photo
This is the 1953-58 car Armstrong Siddeley relied on to the tune of 7,697 being sold.

Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire 234? - factory photo
And here is the subject of this post.

1956 Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire 236 - HandH auction photo
Forward of the cowling, the design is typical of late-1940s - early 1950s British styling that featured a traditional grille mated to curved front fenders.

Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire 234 - unknown photo source
As mentioned, the problem is abaft of the cowling.  The passenger compartment greenhouse seems crudely formed and old-fashioned for 1955.  Note how flat the side is on the front door.

Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire 235 - also unknown
I think the strange detail is the forward section of the rear fenderline, that transition to a short horizontal fold on the rear door.  If it were in conjunction with a horizontal chrome strip running along the length of the side, it would make sense.  But there was never such a chrome strip, so far as I can tell from Internet images.

1957 Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire 234 - for sale photos
Now for an abbreviated walkaround of a 234 found in Australia.  As noted, the front is conventional British.

The hood is long.  From the cowl forward, the design reminds me of the MGA sports car's front.

The trunk could have been more squared off, providing more carrying capacity while improving the looks of the car.  The shape of the backlight window is awkwardly old-fashioned.