The classic post war Humber Hawk and Super Snipe were conventional British cars with a separate body and chassis. Only in 1957 a completely new design was presented, which had a unitary body and really looked in nothing like the traditional cars the factory had produced before. The Hawk was fitted with a four cylinder engine, while the somewhat longer Super Snipe had a 3 litre inline six, which produced 128 bph at 5000 revs, which was increased to 131 bhp in 1959. Top speed was about 160 kph.
In 1964 the most luxurious version of the Super Snipe was presented and named Imperial. An autobox was standard as well as a vinyl covered roof. The interior was fitted with all sorts of British traditional luxury, and a separation window could also be had.
After the take over of Rootes Group by Chrysler in 1964, the end of the Humber factory was only a matter of time. Sales both for export as well domestic slumped rapidly, and in 1967 the final model (the Sceptre) was also discontinued.
All in all just over 30000 of the Super Snipe series were made (1957-1967) of which 10% were Imperials.
Shown here are a Super Snipe Estate version as well as a rare LHD Imperial, both present at the Le Mans Historique of 2006
"I find the whole business of religion profoundly interesting, but it does mystify me that otherwise intelligent people take it seriously." Douglas Adams
new pictures, a Super Snipe shown at Interclassics 2007,
"I find the whole business of religion profoundly interesting, but it does mystify me that otherwise intelligent people take it seriously." Douglas Adams