Humber Super Snipe
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Humber Super Snipe | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Rootes Group |
| Production | 1938-1967 |
The Humber Super Snipe was a car produced by the British based Humber car company, part of the Rootes Group.
Contents |
[edit] Pre War Super Snipe
| Humber Super Snipe | |
|---|---|
| Production | 1938-1940 1500 (approx) made[1] |
| Predecessor | Humber Snipe |
| Body style(s) | 4-door saloon Sports saloon Drophead coupé |
| Engine(s) | 4086 cc Straight-6 side valve |
| Wheelbase | 114 inches (2896 mm)[2] |
| Length | 175 inches (4445 mm) |
| Width | 70 inches (1778 mm) |
It was introduced in October, 1938, and was derived by combining the four litre inline six cylinder engine from the larger Humber Pullman with the chassis and body of the Humber Snipe, a car which normally carried a three litre engine. The result was a car of enhanced performance, and a car which with a top speed of 79 mph (127 km/h) was fast for its day. [2]
The Super Snipe was marketed to an upper middle class of managers, professional people and government officials. It was relatively low priced for its large size and performance, and was similar to American cars in appearance and concept, and in providing value for money.
Within a year of introduction, World War II broke out in Europe, but the car continued in production, as a British military staff car the Car, 4-seater, 4x2, and as an armoured reconnaissance vehcle, the Humber Light Reconnaissance Car.
[edit] Super Snipe Mark I to IV
| Humber Super Snipe Mark I-IV | |
|---|---|
| Production | 1945-1957 production 3909 (I) 8361 (II) 8703 (III) 17,993 (IV) [3] |
| Body style(s) | 4-door saloon Estate car Drophead coupé |
| Engine(s) | 4086 cc Straight-6 side valve (I to III) 4138 cc Straight-6 ohv ((IV) |
| Wheelbase | 114 inches (2896 mm) (I)[2] 117 inches (2985 mm) (I to III) 116 inches (2940 mm) (IV) |
| Length | 180 inches (4572 mm) (I) 187 inches (4762 mm) (II) 191 inches (2090 mm)) (III) 197 inches (5004 mm) (IV) |
| Width | 69 inches (1753 mm) (I) 74 inches (1892 mm) (II & III) 71 inches (1816 mm) (IV) |
After the war, in 1946, civilian production resumed, and the Super Snipe evolved though several versions, each designated by a Mark number, each generally larger, more powerful, and more modern, until production ended in 1957 with the Mark IVB version.
The Mark I was essentially an enlarged version of the 1945 Humber Hawk, itself a face lifted pre war car. There was also a Snipe which used 1936 vintage 2731 cc engines.
For the 1948 Mark II the body was updated with the headlights fitted in the wings and transverse spring, independent suspension used. A few drophead coupés were made by Tickford in 1949 and 1950 but the estate cars were factory built. The very similar Mk III followed in 1950.
The Mark IV of 1952 used a 1950 Hawk Mk IV body shell lengthened by 6 in (152 mm) but with a 4138 cc 113 bhp overhead valve engine based on one from a Commer truck. From 1955 overdrive was available as an option followed in 1956 by an automatic gearbox.
While the post World War II home market for the car continued as before, the Rootes Group also marketed the car for export. The Super Snipe was relatively successful in Australia, where it was assembled, beginning with the Mark IV version in 1952. From 1956 the car was available with automatic transmission, but the model was discontinued shortly afterwards.
A Mk III tested by The Motor magazine in 1951 had a top speed of 81.6 mph (131.3 km/h) and could accelerate from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 19.1 seconds. A fuel consumption of 17.7 miles per imperial gallon (16.0 L/100 km/14.7 mpg US) was recorded. The test car cost £1471 including taxes. [4]
In 1953 they tested a Mk IV and found the larger engine had increased performance with the top speed now 91 mph (146 km/h) and acceleration from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 14.7 seconds. Fuel consumption had increased to 15.5 miles per imperial gallon (18.2 L/100 km/12.9 mpg US). The test car cost slightly more at £1481 including taxes. [5]
[edit] New Super Snipe Series I to V
| Humber Super Snipe Series I-V | |
|---|---|
| Production | 1958-1967 production 6072 (I) 7175 (II) 7257 (III) 6495 (IV)3032 (V) [3] |
| Body style(s) | 4-door saloon Estate car limousine |
| Engine(s) | 2655 cc Straight-6 ohv (I) 2965 cc ohv (II-V) |
| Transmission(s) | 3 speed manual Overdrive and automatic optional |
| Wheelbase | 110 inches (2794 mm) [2] |
| Length | 185 inches (4064 mm) (I & II) 188 inches (4775 mm) (III to V) |
| Width | 69 inches (1753 mm) |
In October 1958, a new Super Snipe was introduced and confusingly, the designation returned to the Super Snipe I but this time the variants were identified by a series number. The new car was based on the unitized chassis and body of the four cylinder Humber Hawk, but with a 2.6 litre, enlarged in 1959 with the Series II to 3 litre, Armstrong Siddeley based, inline six cylinder engine. It also featured unitary construction and, from the time the engine was enlarged, disc brakes on the front wheels.
The Series III of 1960 was largely a styling update and can be distinguished by having four headlights and the 1962 Series IV had a slightly higher tuned engine giving 124.5 bhp (93 kW) as against 121 bhp (90 kW).
The final Series V version saw twin carburettors (usually Zenith) fitted increasing the power to 128.5 bhp and synchromesh was fitted to all ratios on the gearbox, on the previous versions it had only been on the upper two. Power steering was standardised.
The Imperial version had a vinyl roof and automatic transmission as standard.
The new Super Snipe was smaller on the outside, but larger on the inside, with improved performance, and more modern appearance, similar to mid-1950’s General Motors American cars. It was discontinued in July, 1967, with the Series VA version, by which time the Rootes Group was under control of the American Chrysler Corporation.
[edit] References
- ^ Sedgwick, M.; Gillies. M (1989). A-Z of Cars 1930. Devon, UK: Bay View Books. ISBN 1-870979-38-9.
- ^ a b c d Culshaw; Horrobin (1974). Complete Catalogue of British Cars. London: Macmillan. ISBN 0-333-16689-2.
- ^ a b Sedgwick, M.; Gillies. M (1986). A-Z of Cars 1945-1970. Devon, UK: Bay View Books. ISBN 1870979397.
- ^ "The Humber Super Snipe Mk III" (June 13 1951). The Motor.
- ^ "The Humber Super Snipe Road Test" (August 5 1953). The Motor.
[edit] External links
- Humber Enthusiasts Group of New South Wales, with lots of scanned brochures.
- Some more brochures.
- Humberonia.
- Pictorial and commentary on restoring a Series III Super Snipe (both the same car).
- Motorbase entry on the Humber marque.
