ARMSTRONG SIDDELEY BOOKS    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Armstrong Siddeley Books
written by Robert Penn Bradly


The five books on cars of the Armstrong Siddeley marque have been written by Robert Penn Bradly in a desire to see that these cars don’t fade away into oblivion but remain as all time classics, being both kept serviceable and desirable for regular usage. Robert's professional training has been in the property industry as both a specialist valuer and a manager of major building development projects. This training has especially equipped him to  view a car from a detailed perspective.  He purchased his first car, being an economy Armstrong Siddeley 12HP sedan of 1934 which was purchased in pieces in 1955 shortly after him commencing work as a junior rent collector for a large real estate company. On his measly wages the only way he could hope to get a motor car was to repair something that was in the publics' mind of little value and out of order which he was able to procure very cheaply. This car took almost two years for him to repair the engine and to re-timber the cars wooden frame body and become a viable vehicle once again. He learnt a lot and this started him into seeking cars for restoration, later use and eventual sale leading progressively on to better or later models.

He has had no formal training on things automotive but is today regarded as an expert in many areas of restoring cars, having not only worked on and restored very many Armstrong Siddeley cars, he has also repaired and enjoyed the benefits of such august marques as Aston Martin, Lagonda, Jensen, Jowett, Rolls Royce, Bentley, Jaguar, MG, Lancia and Peugeot, all of these cars contributing to his knowledge base and understanding.

For many years he has also been a feature writer for car magazines on sale to the public, and he still regularly contributes to the magazine ‘Restored Cars’ where he covers makes and modes that are desirable, rare or exotic collectables.

From time to time he has been asked to attend Court as an expert witness in automotive disputes and to provide valuations as required in accident damage or divorce cases.  He has always also carried out routine repairs and servicing on all cars that he has owned. By learning how to do this type of work he has kept the service costs in check and has been able to enjoy great cars that his income would not have otherwise been able to sustain.

He is so car focused that he can’t bear to see a languishing classic needing major work with others passing it over, considering it “as too hard”. Thus he has been driven to gathering up such cars or utilities to see they are not lost forever. People who own classic cars are only their keepers for future generations to enjoy, there are only just a finite number of survivors and all should be saved if at all possible. Having tried so many collectable cars, Armstrong Siddeley cars have always been his number one car interest, this no doubt driven by his love for their remarkable ability to cover huge distances in a day, their beauty, as well as their excellent reliability and longevity.

ARMSTRONG SIDDELEY BOOKS

© ARMSTRONG SIDDELEY BOOKS 2007
 
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