1. Humber Tourer of the 1920s.
Thanks to Ray who sent the first picture over, with the attached note: "... this is from my wife's side of the family. The pic was taken in June 1930. It shows Mr and Mrs Baggarley of Lewisham going on their honeymoon ... can you tell what make of car this is ??"
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I had to have a root through some books, but I'm pretty sure that this is an early 1920s Humber tourer, possibly the 11.4 model, which would have been built in the mid 20s, perhaps 1924 or 1925, making it approximately 5 years old when this photograph was taken. As mentioned, it shows the grandparents of Ray's wife, sat in their vintage motorcar ready to set off.
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It's interesting to note that with cars of this era, where the spare wheel is fitted to the offside running board, it is impossible for the driver to open their door, instead having to slide across from the passenger side. Other nice touches on this vintage Humber include the 'V' shaped split windscreen, and the sloping tail fitted to these 2 seater models.
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Looking around online, it seems like later Humbers are well catered for by the PVHCC, or Post Vintage Humber Car Club, but there seems to be less coverage for the pre-war models on the web.
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2. A vintage Humber fitted with a rare radiator mascot.
This photo I've had for a while. Again it shows a Humber touring car of the vintage era, with the distinctive split 'V' windscreens and in this case, some torpedo-shaped sidelights on the front wings. Most interesting though is the very delicate mascot fitted to the radiator cap, complete with sails and rigging. Does anyone know more about who produced this rare mascot? or the type of vessel the mascot is modelled upon?
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3. A 1927 Humber tourer.
Thanks to Richard H, a forum "regular" and owner of several A35s, for lending me this old photo to scan and show on the site. Found in a family album, it shows a c1927 Humber parked outside on a snowy day. Why it isn't tucked away in the warm and cosy brick-built motor-house in the background isn't known. This car was purchased for just 10 GBP in 1950, at a time when 20+ year old cars were worth very little, and the interest in vintage-era cars wasn't as great as it is today. Richard's family lived in the North West at the time, in Chester and then Burton-On-Trent, and his grandmother recalls driving in the Humber through the Mersey Tunnel, its floorboards rattling away merrily as they drove along. After a few years the Humber was traded in against a Standard Flying 8 (a photo of which can be seen on this page, photo no.7).
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4. Children on board a Humber tourer.
Next, a photo from the vintage era of a well-kept Humber tourer, again from the 1920s. Two children are on board, the young lad behind the wheel no doubt looking forward to a time when he'll be able to take to the roads. Only part of the Humber's registration is visible - ?P 5337, although that on the car in the background, possibly a Morris, is clearly legible - UK4402. This suggests that the location of this photo could be the Wolverhampton area, and confirms that the photo was taken some time after mid-1925.
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A two-gallon petrol can has been fitted to the Humber's nearside running board, and the rear Auster screen - affording the rear seat passengers a modicum of protection from wind blast - is in position, as are the sidescreens fitted to both front doors.
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5. Carnival time, with a Humber 14/40 tourer.
Steve sent over the following photograph. In it, a vintage Humber (a 14/40 most likely) is shown decked out in flowers and garlands for a carnival procession held in Flookburgh. At the time, the village came under Lancashire but since 1974 has been part of Cartmel in Cumbria. The Humber was registered TE 7114, "TE" being a Lancashire registration series that ran from 1927 to 1929. Certainly plenty of time and effort had gone into adorning the Humber with decorations. I wonder whether that o/s/f tyre was really so lacking in tread, or is it just a trick of the photo/light? Many thanks for sending the photo over Steve.
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Back to Car Photographs Page 3.
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Original advertisement for the 10hp Humbers.
Whenever possible, I'll add in one or two period adverts to the photograph pages, to add extra information to the vehicles already appearing on the page. Humber Limited had the following ad published, to promote their 10hp model.
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"The 10hp Humber makes a strong appeal. Light yet sturdy; speedy, comfortable, and completely equipped for the road, including electric lighting set and self-starter. Its freedom from complications makes it essentially the car for the owner-driver. Here is an interesting letter from one Humber owner who does not employ a driver:"
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"You will be interested to know that I am just having my 14hp Humber overhauled for the first time. It has done 40,000 miles without a chauffeur or anybody to attend to it, and has been on the road every day, seven days a week, for practically the whole of the five years. I think this must be very nearly a record, even for a Humber."
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Some twenty or so years earlier is this Beeston Humber, with Roi Des Belges coachwork.
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