Rust & Refinement: Rare Humber Hawk & Super Snipe Resurface – A British Automotive Gem
(Archyde.com) – A fascinating piece of British automotive history is gaining renewed attention as examples of the Humber Hawk and Super Snipe, produced between 1958 and 1967, are surfacing among collectors. These vehicles, once a common sight on UK roads and even exported to Australia and New Zealand, represent a unique blend of post-war elegance, robust engineering, and a notorious susceptibility to rust. This breaking news highlights a growing interest in these often-overlooked classics, offering a glimpse into a bygone era of British motoring.
A Rival to Jaguar & Bentley? The Humber’s Golden Age
Before the iconic Beetle captivated the world, British manufacturers were fiercely competing with luxury saloons from brands like Jaguar and Bentley. Humber, alongside contemporaries like Ford and Vauxhall (UK Opel), aimed to provide comfortable and stylish transportation for the discerning British citizen. The Hawk, powered by a four-cylinder engine, and the more upscale Super Snipe, boasting a six-cylinder heart, were the flagships of the Humber range. While not reaching the ultimate luxury of a Rover 3.0L, the Super Snipe offered a remarkably spacious cabin, making it a popular choice for families.
Monocoque Construction & the Rise of the Estate Car
The Hawk and Super Snipe marked a significant step forward for the Roots Group brands, adopting a monocoque chassis for the first time. This construction method, where the body and chassis are integrated, offered improved strength and reduced weight. Production involved a fascinating logistical operation: body shells were pressed in London and transported to Warwickshire for assembly. Interestingly, these cars were also produced in “knockdown” kits in Australia and New Zealand, demonstrating their global reach.
The era also saw a growing demand for practicality, leading to the introduction of estate (wagon) versions. These were expertly crafted by Carbodies, the renowned London taxi manufacturer, adding a premium of £200 to the price tag but offering a generous 385kg of load capacity. While automatic transmissions were eventually offered, column-mounted manual gearboxes remained standard, with the Super Snipe limited to three gears – its ample torque making a fourth unnecessary. The Hawk, however, benefited from a fourth gear and optional overdrive for improved fuel efficiency.
American Influence & British Engineering
Styling cues from across the Atlantic are evident in the Humber’s design. Modest tail fins and generous chrome trim adorned the bodywork, creating an elegant, if somewhat dated, aesthetic. Power steering, a relatively new feature at the time, was available as an option on the Super Snipe, making it one of the first British cars with a 3L engine or less to offer this convenience.
Beneath the stylish exterior, the Humber remained firmly rooted in traditional British engineering. The cast-iron engine, front-mounted but ahead of the front axle, and a rigid rear axle supported by leaf springs, spoke to a pre-war sensibility. While the Humber enjoyed some success in the demanding East African Safari Rally, its chassis wasn’t designed for particularly exciting handling. The Hawk’s 2267cc four-cylinder engine, initially carried over from a 1948 model, received a subtle but important update – a repositioned distributor allowing for a lower bonnet line.
A Legacy of Comfort & a Warning About Rust
The Super Snipe, launched in 1958, upped the ante with a 106ps six-cylinder engine, offering effortless performance. It shared the Hawk’s body but distinguished itself with increased chrome detailing and standard-fit heaters. The Series V could achieve a respectable 160km/h. The suspension featured a wishbone front design, incorporating rubber mounts to minimize noise and vibration. However, a recurring theme with these vehicles – and the source of much restoration work today – was their propensity for rust. The article explicitly notes the body was prone to rust, but at an “overdesigned level,” suggesting a robust underlying structure despite the corrosion.
The Humber Hawk and Super Snipe represent a fascinating chapter in British automotive history. They weren’t the flashiest or most technologically advanced cars of their time, but they offered a compelling combination of comfort, practicality, and understated elegance. As interest in classic cars continues to grow, these often-forgotten gems are finally receiving the recognition they deserve, even if that recognition comes with a healthy dose of rust repair.
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