A fab example of the luxurious Super Snipe parked near a row of shops. - at Old Classic Car Forum
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A fab example of the luxurious Super Snipe parked near a row of shops.
Oldclassiccar - visit the classic cars homepage (C) R. Jones 2008
 

Immaculate 1960s Humber.

Humber Super Snipe

I've always liked the look of these Humbers, having very nearly bought a later example of the Super Snipe myself many years ago. The Super Snipe was the mid-range big Humber of its day, the entry level car being the Hawk, and the plushest top-spec model being the Imperial. This particular car, registration 6763 K, looks to be in immaculate condition and was obviously doted on by its owner. Many accessories adorn this Super Snipe, including extra Lucas spotlamps, twin wing mirrors, a telescopic radio aerial, an RAC badge, plus two other motoring badges. A deflector has also been fitted to the roof ahead of the sunroof aperture. The Lucas 7" headlamps also look to be upgraded items. The paintwork really glistens, and all the chromework shines like new.

In the background are various shops, the most familiar being F.W. Woolworth & Co. Ltd. in the background, now called Woolworths of course. The shop to the left seems to stock a great variety of garments, including waterproofs, shirts, pyjamas, underwear, donkey jackets (perhaps thats what our Humber owner had called in for??), duffle coats, cardigans and so on. Parked to the left and just in view is a Phase 1 or 2 Standard Vanguard, looking rather dirtier than the gleaming Humber on the other side of the road. Note the refreshing lack of parking restrictions in this photo, no yellow lines or clamping vans in sight.

This era of monocoque-bodied Humber first appeared in 1958. Cheapest was the 4 cylinder Hawk, understudy to the 6 cylinder Super Snipe as seen here. Initially the latter was fitted with a 2,655cc engine, but this was upgraded to 2,965 in 1959 with the launch of the Super Snipe 2. Perhaps a Humber expert can tell me which model of Humber is shown above, I or II? the Series III of 1960 switched to a quad headlamp setup, with later variants losing the curvy back window, replaced with a more angular rear roofline. Did this Humber escape the scrapman's axe or the banger circuit? it'd be nice to think so!! As well as being available as a saloon, a cavernous estate car could also be specified.

Other Humber links on oldclassiccar:

Parts adverts for the Super Snipe
All Humber parts adverts
Photo of an earlier Pullman
RAF staff car

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