Pictures from the Heritage Archives

Over the past few weeks, we have been approached several times to identify a car from a picture or pictures that have come to light during a home clearance. Sadly, very often after the passing of a loved one, the recipient is left relying on childhood memories or family traditions.

We have had situations where a motor car sporting a Sphinx mascot mounted on a radiator cap is assumed to be an Armstrong Siddeley, even though it’s clearly made by another manufacturer. Also, there arises the belief that when such a Sphinx-like ornament is affixed to a genuine Armstrong Siddeley car, it must be a factory-fitted item, and therefore more ‘valuable’. In the words of an old song, ‘It ain’t necessarily so.’

In 1911, a motoring journalist road-tested the latest J. D. Siddeley type Deasy. These were very well engineered cars, fitted with Knight sleeve-valve engines, well equipped, and offering real value in their class. In his report, the journalist used the phrase: "the car was as silent and as inscrutable as the Sphinx."   John Siddeley latched on to this comment, and so the Sphinx mascot and brand identifier was born. The board decided on the classic Grecian style of Sphinx and that it should, for reasons of delicacy, be represented as male. Over the forty years of Armstrong Siddeley car production, the Sphinx mascot was an integral part of the styling exercise.

Confusion comes in several ways.  During the period from 1922, when Howard Carter discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun, and throughout the 1930s, there was in this country a huge interest in all things Egyptian. Many manufacturers of items for the home and garden chose to decorate using an Egyptian theme. This included the manufacturers of after-market hood ornaments for cars, which owners could select from catalogues, such as that produced by ‘Mestre-Blatge of Paris.

Sphinx as used from 1919 to 1930

During the early thirty's several different types of Sphinx we used.

At the front 1933  to 1935        

The two in the centre 1930 to 1934     

The one at the rear1935 to 1937 

From 1934 the Sphinx was no longer mounted on the radiator cap.

Here we have a Sphinx, with its base plate mounted directly on to the radiator surround. 1934 to 1939

 A new streamlined Sphinx adorned the 16/18hp range of cars from 1945 to 1953. It was also fitted to the 234 & 236 rage of cars from 1954 to 1958.

For the 346 Sapphire, reflecting the jet engine it was named for, a Sphinx with twin jet engines was announced.

The Silver Sphinx,   These were fitted to the Harold Redford conversions based on the long wheel base 346 Sapphire chassis.  Believed to be haul-marked silver and were exclusive to this model.  The existence of only one survivor is known.   

The final version of the Sphinx as fitted to the Star Sapphire.     

Footnote:

At the beginning of the current century there was a brief craze amongst owners, starting in London, for the gold plating of mascots. Rolls Royce, Jaguar and Armstrong Siddeley were among those we observed.   We do not make history, we just record it.!!