Registration: EAS 294

Chassis: 330433

Odometer: 36,643

Transmission: Automatic

MOT: Exempt

• One of only 903 Star Sapphires built, Armstrong Siddeley’s final flagship model.
• Exceptional provenance, three former keepers, Swedish history and extensive records.
• Beautifully presented, low-mileage example, cherished by enthusiasts throughout its life.

The Armstrong Siddeley Star Sapphire was the last model produced by the company which had been building ‘Cars of Aircraft Quality’ since 1919. The company built just 903 of this model. It featured a 4 litre (3998cc) straight-six engine and was claimed to be a 100mph car. It had sumptuous, veneered woodwork and leather interior.

Quite possibly one of the very best examples of its kind available today, registered in the UK on 1st September 1979, this rare survivor Star Sapphire was previously registered in Sweden, before returning to the UK. It has three recorded former keepers in the UK since then. Finished in a Jaguar Carriage Brown over Beige with a complementing Brown with Beige leather interior, this attractive 1950s competitor to a Daimler or Bentley presents extremely well in 2026 and has plenty of history to tell.

Externally, the bodywork is in very good order and the paintwork presents well overall, with minor imperfections shown in our photographs. The chrome work is also in excellent condition. The owner tells us that when he acquired the vehicle, it was “totally rust free” and as a result he had it sandblasted back to bare metal and resprayed in a better colour scheme. Photos during the sandblasting confirm zero rust anywhere. Since then the vehicle has remained in very good condition, which the vendor suspects is due to the Ziebart treatment.

The interior presents very well throughout, with the headlining, carpets and door cards all in excellent condition. The seats show a pleasing patina consistent with careful use, while the dashboard remains particularly well preserved.

Mechanically, the car started readily and drove well around our site with no issues noted. Although now MOT exempt, its last MOT expired in March 2026 with only two advisories recorded: a minor oil leak and slight seepage from the steering box.

The car has worn a number of registrations throughout its life, reflecting its movements between owners and locations. It was originally registered as ‘5158 EL’ in Bournemouth before being re-registered as ‘2 BOM’ while in Botley, Hampshire. Following its move to Windsor, it carried the registration ‘BTR 738B’ and, after export to Sweden, became ‘GYH-645’ in Enebyberg. On its return to the UK, the car was registered as ‘EAS 294’ in Berkshire before later becoming ‘ELL 71’ during its time in West Sussex. It has since reverted to the registration ‘EAS 294’.

It is believed that the original registration of ‘5158 EL’ may be able to be reallocated to the car on application to the registration authorities. The Armstrong Siddeley Owner’s Club have offered assistance in this application and have already provided a certified copy of the production record and original registration details in support of any application

The car is recorded as having three former keepers. Its first owner was Florence, Lady Norie-Miller, who purchased the Star Sapphire new and retained it until her death around 1970, when it was sold at auction showing approximately 27,000 miles. During its life the car spent a period in Sweden with an enthusiast owner before being repatriated to the UK in 2002. The current owner has known the vehicle for around 60 years, providing a unique continuity in its documented history.

The maintenance history is supported by a series of invoices and service records. Documented work includes oil and filter changes, routine servicing and mechanical maintenance in 2010, 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2019. Mileage records show that it increased only modestly during this period, rising from around 35,206 miles in 2015 to 35,502 miles in 2017.

An extensive history file accompanies the vehicle. This includes Armstrong Siddeley Owner’s Club chassis and production records, previous and current V5 registration documents, correspondence relating to the car's registration history, period promotional literature, photographs, restoration records, magazine features and previous advertisements. The file also contains Swedish registration documentation showing a mileage of 31,586 in 1985, handwritten notes by a former owner detailing ownership and registration changes, numerous invoices for parts and maintenance, a collection of tax discs dating from 2006 to 2015, workshop manuals and a comprehensive photographic record of the restoration.

Particularly noteworthy is the documentation relating to a speedometer overhaul carried out by Speedy Cables in 2010. During this work, the owner specified that the refurbished speedometer be set to the car's correct recorded mileage in order to preserve its historical accuracy while the original kilometre-marked Swedish unit was being overhauled.

The car is also supplied with its complete original toolkit and is powered by the desirable 4.0-litre Armstrong Siddeley straight-six engine. It is offered for sale now by the present elderly owner who, having owned it twice, is now looking to pass it on to another enthusiast so that it may continue its charmed life!


We are grateful to the vendor for the following information - which is published in summary:

Introduction

The life of this particular car is well known since new and is truly remarkable. In the following article the current owner (who has owned the car twice in the last fifty years) details its astonishing history from its earliest days, chauffeur-driven in Bournemouth, to the present day, and explains why the car is still in superb condition, possibly being one of the best examples of these rare cars in existence.

Quite apart from its original body panels, with no welding or repairs, its history as part of four different enthusiasts’ collections, the car has enjoyed the preservation provided by a full Ziebart protection process in the late 70s and reflects the colour scheme as featured in Armstrong Siddeley sales literature. The mileage displayed is credible at c.36,000 miles.

Early history

Built in 1959, this Armstrong Siddeley Star Sapphire was originally purchased by Florence, Lady Norie-Miller, in May 1960. Although produced around the middle of the Star Sapphire production run, it remained unsold for several months, possibly following factory reconditioning work and perhaps due to its original grey paintwork with red and grey interior.

Lady Norie-Miller placed her order on 2nd March 1960, and the car was supplied through Bournemouth dealer Modern Light Cars. It was chauffeur-driven during her ownership and was later remembered by an Armstrong Siddeley enthusiast who saw it in Bournemouth at the time.

The car appears to have led a remarkably preserved life thereafter, with its recorded mileage of just 27,000 miles considered genuine when it was exported to Sweden in November 1978.

Registration history

This Star Sapphire has carried several registrations during its life, including ‘5158 EL’, ‘2 BOM’, ‘BTR 738B’, ‘EAS 294’ and ‘ELL 71’, reflecting its travels from Bournemouth to Hampshire, Windsor, Sweden, and back to England. It was registered in Sweden as ‘GYH-645’.

The car's identifying numbers are engine 320450, chassis 330433 and body 350433. After returning to the UK it carried the registration ‘ELL 71’ from 2010 before reverting to ‘EAS 294’.

Its history is documented in notes written by owner RC in November 1978 while delivering the car to a new owner in Sweden. It is believed that the original registration, ‘5158 EL’, may be reclaimable, with the Armstrong Siddeley Owners Club having provided supporting production and registration records to assist any application.

Changes in ownership

Florence, Lady Norie-Miller, was the second wife of Sir Francis Norie-Miller, a prominent businessman, politician and philanthropist who was created a Baronet in 1936 for his public service in Perthshire. Following Lady Norie-Miller’s death around 1970, the Star Sapphire was sold at auction showing approximately c.27,000 miles.

The car was purchased by Hampshire collector K. C. Stone for £150 and became part of his notable collection of rare, low-mileage British cars. During his ownership it was re-registered as ‘2 BOM’ and was housed alongside several significant vehicles, including the unique Star Sapphire Mk II prototype.

After Mr Stone’s death, the collection was dispersed, and the Star Sapphire was purchased by Armstrong Siddeley enthusiast RC, who took it to Windsor for restoration. Remarkably, the car was said to drive “like a brand-new car”, reflecting the exceptional condition it had retained throughout its life.

Condition

When RC acquired the car, it remained remarkably original and virtually rust-free, despite suffering from badly micro-blistered paintwork. The red and grey leather interior, carpets, suspension and overall condition all supported the recorded mileage of around c.27,000 miles, and the car was described as driving and feeling almost new.

Recognising its exceptional originality, RC had the car stripped to bare metal and professionally repainted. Before it was sold to Swedish enthusiast Mr Tegner, the registration ‘2 BOM’ was retained by the previous owner, and the car left the UK as ‘BTR 738B’ before being re-registered in Sweden as ‘GYH-645’.

Restoration

In January 1978, RC began a comprehensive cosmetic restoration, stripping the car to bare metal before a complete respray. The body proved exceptionally sound and virtually rust-free, confirming its remarkable preservation.

The car was refinished in Jaguar Carriage Brown over Cream Ivory for its future Swedish owner, Mr Tegner, and retrimmed using original Star Sapphire materials, with restored Connolly leather, renewed chromework, a new windscreen and new tyres. To protect its outstanding condition, the car was also treated with Ziebart rustproofing, a decision that appears to have paid dividends over the years.

Delivery to Sweden

Following its restoration, the Star Sapphire was entered in the Armstrong Siddeley Owners’ Club National Day at Woburn Abbey, where it won the Star Trophy. In November 1978, Roger Cullingham drove the car to Sweden, delivering it to its new owner, Mr Tegner, at Enebyberg. There, it joined Mr Tegner’s other Armstrong Siddeley, a left-hand-drive Mk I Sapphire that he had owned since the early 1960s. That companion car later reappeared on the market in Sweden in 2025.

The Swedish Years

Little is known about the car's years in Sweden, though it is believed to have been carefully stored and sparingly used. When it returned to the UK in 2002, the recorded mileage was only around 34,000, suggesting it had been preserved as a collector’s car rather than used regularly.

After a brief period in northern England, it was re-registered as ‘ELL 71’, a mark it carried until 2025. Following the transfer of that registration, the Star Sapphire reverted to its earlier registration, ‘EAS 294’.

Additional Comments

This Star Sapphire has enjoyed an exceptionally well-documented and carefully preserved life, passing through a succession of enthusiastic owners who invested significantly in its upkeep. Former owner, CH, restored the car to resemble the example shown in period Armstrong Siddeley publicity, including a tan and ivory leather interior and new carpets.

The car has benefited from extensive maintenance, including a rebuilt front suspension, stainless steel exhaust system, period-correct optional wing mirrors, radial tyres and ongoing preservation work. Supported by a comprehensive history file, it remains one of the finest surviving Star Sapphires, admired for both its condition and remarkable provenance.

Mechanical Notes

With a 3-speed gearbox by Borg Warner, the gear changes work well with the Gear Hold Control allowing top (third) gear to engage at around 40mph. It has not been adjusted in my ownership. The gear selector linkage is, however, slightly worn and would benefit from attention at the chassis mounting point. It is understood that a pair of simple bushes will solve the wear. In all other respects the mechanics of the car are excellent as is to be expected with such a low mileage. The power steering hoses were replaced during the winter of 2025/26. The front engine mount was replaced at the same time. A pair of rear engine mounts are available with the car but have yet to be fitted.
 
 The off-side rear door handle is a little stiff.

Postscript

Sadly, CH passed away in July 2023. A lifelong Armstrong Siddeley enthusiast, he owned several notable classics over the years, including two Star Sapphires, a Bentley Continental and a pre-war Armstrong. In 2023, recognising he could no longer care for the car, he arranged for it to return to RC, who had previously owned and restored it.

The Star Sapphire was transported to RC's home in July 2023, returning to an owner closely associated with its history. Having since completed the restoration of another significant Armstrong Siddeley, he has decided to offer the Star Sapphire for sale, presenting a rare opportunity to acquire one of the finest and best-documented examples of the model.