Sir Malcolm Campbell’s Car Comes to Charterhouse

An Armstrong Siddeley Hurricane, bought new in 1946 by land and water speed world record holder Sir Malcolm Campbell MBE, is entered into the Charterhouse classic & vintage car auction on Thursday 26th June at The Haynes Motor Museum, Somerset.

“Painted in his standard Blue Bird colour by the factory, to match all his racing cars and boats, he took delivery of the Hurricane on 18th July 1946.” Commented Richard Bromell. “He used the Hurricane as his regular road car and this was probably the last car he owned as he died not long after on New Years Eve 1948.”

Sir Malcolm Campbell MBE first broke the world land speed record in 1924 at 146.16mph. He went on to break nine land speed records 1924-1935 and then set the world water speed record four times.

After Sir Malcolm Campbell’s death, the car was bought by a lady who used it mainly in France for a couple of years before trading it in to a London dealer in 1951. It was then sold for £995 to Dr Joseph Needham, who went on to be and eminent Cambridge Professor.

He kept the Armstrong Siddeley for some 14 years before selling the car to a Mr Harding for £20 in 1965. He would keep the Armstrong Siddeley Hurricane until 1990 when sold again for £20 to just its fifth owner who then stored it in a damp garage where it sat decaying over the next several years.

The car was subsequently rescued and restoration started by a Swiss aeronautical engineer in 2011. Work commenced with a complete strip down to all component parts and then all metal items were either replaced, galvanised, powder coated or chromed.

All structural and interior woodwork was renewed and all electrical components replaced or professionally restored.

Sadly, poor health resulted in the Hurricane becoming a stalled restoration project. Keen for the car to be completed and returned to its former glory, it was sold to a fellow Armstrong Siddeley enthusiast in the West Country.

He continued and completed the restoration but now with an imminent house move and a downsize to a property without any garaging he contacted Richard Bromell at Charterhouse to auction the car.

Estimated to sell for £10,000-£15,000 at the Charterhouse auction this Armstrong Siddeley first owned by world land and water speed record holder Sir Malcolm Campbell MBE, restored and painted in Campbell’s special “Blue Bird” colour, will be a perfect addition to any car collection or museum.

Richard Bromell and the Charterhouse Team can be contacted for valuations at The Long Street Salerooms, Sherborne, 01935 812277 or via cars@charterhouse-auction.com