No help from the the UK governements

British governments did not help much to prevent the sickness of the industry from starting. From the 40s right through until the 60s Government policy did not favour investment in manufacturing. The post-War Labour government gave priority to the launching of a welfare state with free health care and social security payments, and not to the modernisation of British industry. So when the German and French industrial plants were being rebuilt from zero, the British car manufacturers were still using old fashioned factories dating back to the beginning of the twentieth century – like the Morris factory at Longbridge, for example.

The Armstrong-Siddeley Sapphire never achieved volumes of more than a few thousand a year. In the late 50s the company gave up motor manufacturing and moved into the defence sector. But today even in Australia there is an Armstrong Siddeley owners club that gives its members mutual support in keeping these beautiful cars on the road.

2008-05-15