The Armstrong Siddeley Car Club
 

Competition results: Concours d'Elegance - 2000 Singleton

Saturday, 1 January 2000 at Singleton

Competition categoryOwner/DriverCarPositionResulting timeNotes
VintageWarwick Gordon-SmithShort 181AS25218
Station/Utility CoupeRichard MorganUtility Coupe1
16/18HPJohn Purcell1951 Armstrong Siddeley Whitley1C1811127
Sapphire Mk1Allan Mack1954 Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire Mk 11C342048
Sapphire Mk2Brad Cherrie1C347123
Sapphire 234/236Jonathon Dalgliesh1957 Armstrong Siddeley 2341C4230428
Star SapphireHugh McMinn1960 Armstrong Siddeley Star1330735
Best OverallPauline ElliottTyphoon1C187047
Longest Distance Travelled to RallyDavid Armstrong1956 Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire Mk 21C346337 As in 1998, David Armstrong once again drove his 1956 Sapphire (C346337) to the event, this time covering 900 kilometres from Adelaide in South Australia to Singleton in New South Wales.
Hardluck & PerserveranceStuart & Kelly Daw1
Best Restoration First Time PresentedPenn Bradly1954 Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire Mk 11C342048
People's ChoiceJohn Purcell1951 Armstrong Siddeley Whitley1C1811127
President's ChoiceJohn & Leony GrahamShort 18 Tourer1AS41094
Most Miles in YearDavid Armstrong1953 Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire Mk 11C341212
Against All OddsJonathan DalglieshSapphire 346 MK I1C340421

The Sapphire C340421 was purchased as per the advertisement; "Elegant British Motoring Icon fitted with the popular pre-select gearbox, suitable for daily use".

Driving the car would prove to be an exceptional piece of motoring mastery. The vehicle required a complete overhaul of the brake system, steering geometry setup and fluid replacement to be able to make it to the corner of the local road.

After these improvements were undertaken, the car went on a holiday to the Southern Tablelands. Performing well under the conditions, the car was loaned to others who proceeded to drive the vehicle like it was a two-door sports car. Unfortunately the Elegant British Motoring Icon then required a complete engine rebuild.

This provided the opportunity to attend to areas that had been visited by Mr. Rust and associates. Once areas were cleaned and prepped it was decided that a complete body spray would be necessary and a new colour scheme was chosen. The final two-tone, dark over light became a controversial choice with either a love it or hate it approach from members.

With a full year passing before the car and engine were to meet once again, it was beset with many other trials and tribulations with rear suspension and drive train issues. A lengthy overheating problem was eventually solved and the car is now, finally, an attractive example of Elegant British Motoring.

— Jonathan Dalgliesh

Club Person of the YearHugh McMinn1Awarded to Hugh McMinn for his editorship of the Southern Sphinx (1994 - 2000).
President's AwardHugh McMinn1
The Armstrong Siddeley Car Club
Armstrong Siddeley Car Club The Court House 325 High Street Learmonth VIC 3352
Phone Cameron Wright, President, 0408 595 461
ACN 001 059 212
Email president@armstrongsiddeley.org.au
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