While most motor manufacturers entered the post-war era with cars little changed from those on offer in 1939, Armstrong Siddeley was able to launch a new model immediately, announcing the Hurricane in May 1945.

A stylish, 4/5-seater, three-position drophead coupé, the Hurricane was soon joined by the mechanically similar Lancaster saloon, both cars using a developed version of the advanced, 1,991cc, 16hp, overhead-valve six introduced in 1938.

The newcomers' independent front suspension was a first for Armstrong Siddeley, and both used Girling hydro-mechanical brakes.

There was a choice of traditional pre-selector or four-speed synchromesh transmissions.

While Lancaster body construction was contracted out to Mulliners Ltd, that of the Hurricane was undertaken in-house, as was that of the Typhoon fixed-head coupe and Whitley 'razor-edge' saloon.

The latter was new for 1949, its introduction, together with Station Coupé and Utility Coupé light commercial vehicles, coinciding with e...