Interesting Cars with Interesting Histories -15 Part three.
In 1972 a member of the Armstrong Siddeley Owners Club, Malcolm Hinchcliffe, journeyed by train to Manchester, changing platforms he boarded the smart new Diesel Railcar to Atherstone where the reverend Lock-King was waiting on the platform to greet him. Out in the station yard stood the rusty hulk of the Armstrong Siddeley Sports Saloon. Once both men settled on board the reverend manipulates with his left hand the steering wheel, the stubby preselector gear selection lever and the hand throttle, leaving his right free to raise his hat to his parishioners as slow progress is made through the town.
A deal was struck and Malcolm’s rescue mission began. Leaving Atherstone with frayed dignity the old car headed south, on probably the longest journey it had undertaken for many a year. Enduring the piercingly cold draughts which blew in through the tired bodywork, whilst exercising great care allied to considerate driving, Malcolm reached London and home.
Some thirteen years would pass and in 1985 Chris Warner and his son Stuart reluctantly acquired the car knowing that by now it had reached that stage where the choice lay between disposal, or a major and full restoration which would take time and considerable cost. Fortunately on the plus side they had the knowledge and the skills to successfully tackle the work. The decision having been made, it was body off and extensive repairs to the chassis began. Next came finding all the parts and ancillaries to rebuild the bare engine block that came with the car, so enabling the correct power unit to be returned to the car. The task of locating and acquiring the correct pre-selector gearbox took quite some time. Finding the missing parts or having to make them included replacing 90% of the woodwork.
The car is now pretty much as it was when new in the 1930s. The target of getting BKP 225 to Coventry for the Armstrong Siddeley 100 years Celebration was a long 34 year haul, and it behoves us to acknowledge all those who have the skill and patience to restore our heritage. From their toil we learn, and do so oftentimes with great enjoyment.
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