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• Auction House:
  Mossgreen
• Sale Name:
  The Motorclassica Auction
• Sale Date:
  14 Oct 2017 ~ 6pm
• Lot #:
  33
• Lot Description:
  1911 ARMSTRONG WHITWORTH B3 15.9HP
  One of a mere 13 known to exist. Engine No: 334
• Notes:
  William George Armstrong was born in England in 1810. His aptitudes in engineering and scientific pursuits excelled and by the age of 28 he had designed a rotary hydraulic crane. By 1847, Messers W.G. Armstrong and Co. was formed to build and market his hydraulic inventions. After only one year, there were 180 people employed to build heavy machinery and rifled cannons. In 1859, Armstrong was knighted and Government contracts ensued to manufacture armaments and ordnance. Armstrong developed a fine reputation for quality and well-constructed products. By 1882, Sir W.G. Armstrong and Co. acquired the ship building business of Mitchell. Five years later he merged with Sir Joseph Whitworth and by the turn of the century they began building cars being the natural progression. The contracts included vans for the General Post Office in London as well as a successful manufacturing arrangement to build Wilson Pilcher gearboxes (precursor to the Wilson Pre-Selector gearbox) for Major Walter Wilson. And before too long, Armstrong Whitworth began manufacturing cars for Wilson-Pilcher - one going on to win the Gold Medal for the 6-day Scottish trial in 1905. The quality of the Armstrong-Whitworth motorcar was comparable to Napier and Daimler and naturally demand grew. The introduction of a compact 15.9hp, 4-cylinder broadened the market for the brand. It is worth noting that the car building enterprise was only a very small part of the Armstrong Whitworth empire. At the outbreak of World War 1, they employed more than 25,000 people and had an annual wage cost of 1,700,000 pounds. Car production ceased during the war with the focus firmly on armament and heavy equipment. When the war was over Armstrong Whitworth purchased Siddley Deasy and Armstrong Siddley was born. This 1911 Armstrong Whitworth was found under a peppercorn tree in Lara, Victoria in the 1980s and retrieved by the noted “Godfather of Armstrong Whitworths”, Mr. Alan Collis. The car passed through the hands of Mr. Peter Taylor before it was acquired by its present attentive owner. A nut and bolt restoration over some 13 years encompassed all componentry including the body undertaken by leading restoration houses including: Egge Machining-Dookie; Richard Stanley Coachcraft of Lancefield and Geoff Davie Upholstery. The car is said by the vendor and his family to be reliable and very enjoyable to drive having done several vintage sports car rallies. It cruises at 60kmh and returns approx. 22mpg. Many people will know of Armstrong Siddley but not many know of Armstrong Whitworth. Today, there is believed to be a mere 13 known survivors world-wide. Seven of these are known in Australia. The fascinating aspect of this is that some 3000 of these high-quality cars were made. Many records were destroyed during World War 1 so there is not a lot of detail available for this marque. Only the car’s more recent life is documented after it was found under the peppercorn tree. It has Rushmore headlights; a gas generator; P and H side and tail lights; high quality leather upholstery; Bosch dual ignition and is powered by a 4-cylinder 2.8-litre engine and a 4-speed gearbox. Included in the sale is a large amount of photocopied information and an original handbook with diagrams of all aspects of this car. A motor and gearbox, chassis parts, elliptical springs, steering wheel and assorted parts for an inter-changeable 1912 model will accompany the sale including: a 1912 Armstrong Whitworth motor and gearbox; clutch assembly; 4 x steel brackets for artillery wheels (repros); hand brake and gear lever; 2 x steering columns and floor mounting brackets; steering wheel; Chassis (cut into 3 pieces; triangular firewall and floor board brackets; foot brake cross shaft; inlet manifold, crank handle assembly; front axle; rear 3/4 elliptical springs; White and Poppe carb (incomplete); 815 x 105 spare tyre; assorted brass P&H side light parts and a Bosch DU4 magneto (restored). Parts available for collection post-sale from country Victoria. This vehicle will be sold unregistered.
• Estimate:
  A$65,000 - 75,000
• Realised Price:
  *****
  

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• Category:
  Automobiles & Accessories

This Sale has been held and this item is no longer available. Details are provided for information purposes only.