Interesting cars with interesting histories : 9
LOX 21 is an 18hp. Armstrong Siddeley, Hurricane, drop head coupe which in the hands of its present owners is much loved and unlike many of its fellows very much used today. Travels to The Isle of Mann and several trips to Holland to meet up and share with Dutch members comes to mind as some of the longer distances travelled.
Manufactured in 1952, our knowledge of the history of this car starts in 1981 when it passed into the ownership of Bob Cryer MP. Bob is probably best remembered for his time as MP for Keighley from 1974 to 1983. From a young age he had a passion for cars and all forms of transport. Happy memories of riding in his uncle’s elegant Daimler and on leaving school being offered an apprenticeship with the Jowett Company in Bradford. However this was not his choice and as a student aged 18 years the first car he purchased was an Armstrong Siddeley 20hp long chassis, seven seater landaulette. This rather sad and tired old lady was to be just the first of many and also set Bob on the road of owner maintenance which he greatly enjoyed. Other brands came and went but by 1961 fifteen Armstrong Siddeleys had passed through his hands. Most importantly this was the year when production of this marque ceased, and it was thanks to Bob’s enthusiasm and efforts that we have the Armstrong Siddeley Owners Club which to this day supplies parts and technical support for these cars.
Photo courtesy of Telegraph and Argos
When campaigning In the General Election year of 1987, LOX 21 was his choice of transport. This certainly did him no harm as he became MP for Bradford South till his sad passing due to an accident in a modern car on his way to the Houses of Parliament in April 1994.
The Hurricane then passed into the care of his daughter, at that time living in Ashford Kent, and would change hands again in 1996 when purchased by Professor Gardner and his wife, so returning the car to Bradford. This couple also owned the 1935, 17hp, ‘D’ back coach saloon car which is now the Heritage ‘flagship’, so when restoring the somewhat faded Hurricane chose to repaint it in a colour to match the earlier car. In 2010, LOX 21 passed into the hands of the present owners.
Model maker ‘The Oxford Automobile Company’ requested that the car be used as the basis for their 16/18hp range of Armstrong Siddeley cars. This was agreed and as a thank you gesture Oxford presented the owners with a one- off model in the correct colour and bearing the correct registration number.
Footnote. – Many will also remember Bob and Ann Cryer for the work done restoring the Worth Valley railway line, and their participation in the BBC version of the film ‘The Railway Children’.