Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Rick]

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

News of this 1965 Humber Imperial arrived via the grapevine yesterday, so as it's quite local it seemed like a good idea to have a shufty. It's been sat in this open-ended barn for nearly two years, the last MOT (that I found in the glovebox) was dated 1996, the last tax disc in the window though is 1986.



Like most big old Humbers of the era, there is evidence of bog in the door bottoms, and front arches, although not too bad. The rear arches look like they're still proper steel. There are a few dings in the wings here n there, but I think the paintwork would respond to a good scrub, same for the chrome.

The interior doesn't look too bad at all, just grubby. The engine turns on the handle, and the oil was fresh and (just over) the mark.

It would never be a minter unless it had a lot of work done to it, but it might just be ok to use as-is, as a comfy old barge for longer trips???? I'm going to ponder over it, but these Imperials had cracking interiors in them and I like comfy motors Whether the Select-a-ride rear suspension still works or not is anyone's guess...I found some lambswool over-rugs in the back. The hubcaps, and the missing "Rootes" spotlamp, were in the boot, along with the handle and wheelbrace.

The propshaft has been disconnected, I think it was delivered here on a solid tow so that'd have been done to save lunching the auto 'box.

Years ago I went to look at a Super Snipe, virtually identical to this car to look at, but in maroon and without the Imperial's vinyl roof. That one belonged to a little old lady who had been chauffeured everywhere. I regretted not buying it ever since.

I assume these things are a little thirsty?

RJ






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[Richard H]

Looks pretty tidy. Is that a Smiths rear window heater fitted there?

Providing there is no serious rust and the price is realistic it would definately be worth considering. I've always liked them.

I don't know that much about them, but I'd imagine you wouldn't see much more than 18mpg on a run.

The combination of Super-Snipe-made-even-more-luxurious is a very appealing one. I can imagine wafting around surrounded by all that wood and leather

Let us know how you get on.
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Richard Hughes

[P3steve]

Go on get it - you know if you don't you will always regret it

[Rick]

Mmm I'm still in two minds really, it won't be available for a few weeks anyway so plenty of time to mull it over. I should really stick with what I've already got....

R
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Rick - Admin
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[lee1984]

im very interested in this if your not

[michael1703]

looks fairly good, £6k upwards in top spec, must be worth £550-£950 in current state, does the owner know that?

is the alfa available too?

[Rick]

[Mog]

Must have got Alzheimer's !

[47Jag]

Rick,

What sort of state is the Alfa in? Is it for sale?

Art

[Rick]

[47Jag]

Rick,

I had a new 1600GTV (the last of the step fronts) in '68 and loved it.

Art

[HMK]

I love these

I've had a bit to do with the old Humber Supersnipe/Imperial in the very distant past.

Rot wise - they really only rot on the bottom half of the outer sill & the same on the inner sill from the underside to where it joins those outrigger pressings with the circular holes....I think that's about it for the structural stuff.

Front & rear wheel arches as you've seen - I seem to think that Ford transit arches can be cut down to fit. The front wings have a metal arch liner which stops all the rot around the front lights that so many of the cars of that decade suffer with, but this causes the wing edge to rot out where the two meet on the arch edge. The front wings on that one look quite good - it may have had new ones at some time. Plus, as you say, the door bottoms. I also seem to remember that Transit exhaust parts can be adapted to fit too.

The chrome is nearly always really good except for the bars of the front grill that usually flake off in large pieces, again, that one doesn't look too bad from the pictures.

I see the long metal spark plug cover is missing from the top of the engine (unless it's in the boot with the other bits). Engine wise, they were really good at the top end, pistons & bores, but tend to have a weak bottom end. Look out for falling oil pressure when it warms up - give the engine a sharp rev if you get it going & listen for the crank bearings. As long as it isn't actually knocking, then I would fit a set of new big end shells (if you can still obtain them). It's usually just the big ends & they're fairly easy to do as the sump can be removed with the engine in the car - I seem to remember having to disconnect the steering gear...I can't remember whether you can get at all of the mains or if you can't get to the two end ones with the engine in place & gearbox on, but these are usually alright, or at least passable.

Beware of engine oil that looks very clean in a car that's been stood for a few years. A pal of mine bought an old car once that had stood for over 20 years & the oil looked brand new until he got it started. He then found that all the black gunge had settled out but was soon mixed up & pumped all round the engine causing him to have to strip the engine completely to get it all out.

Petrol consumption - they really are a lovely smooth engine...you're supposed to be able to balance a coin on the top of the engine while it's ticking over if it's in perfect order (so they say) & yes, you really do 'waft' along. The trouble is though, the body is just a touch too heavy for that 3 litre engine & I used to average about 12 mpg in a 3 speed manual version, although I could very nearly double that on a very long steady run. Imperials were all automatics while the Supersnipes were manual with optional overdrive or optional automatic.

I really do love those Humbers, although it's a VERY long time since I worked on one, so it's hard to remember all the little details. The steering is as light as a light thing with virtually no road feel whatsoever when fitted with power assistance, but I love it!! - look out for steering fluid leaks from the ram seals. They are very well made cars - the leather seats have REAL springs in them, just like a good quality bed!!! unlike the Jaguars of the day that just had cheap foam beneath the leather (but I love the Jags too & owned a few of them - S type, MK2, MK 10 etc).

I'm probably telling you a load of stuff you already know, as you've worked on many classic cars yourself over the years, but I can't resist it when it comes to the last in the series of Roller back, American taxi front Humber S/Snipe/Imperials