Author(s): Stephen Lewis

Planes, Trains, Autos

Humber is a manufacturer of cars that was existed from the dawn of motoring, when in 1899 Thomas Humber produced his Humber Phaeton model. The company went on to manufacture various motor vehicles of quality but financial difficulties during the 1920s saw it being bought out in 1928 by the Rootes brothers, William and Reginald, who were building up their motor manufacturing business. Humber became part of the Rootes Group, which would also include Hillman, Sunbeam, Singer, Commer and Karrier. The Rootes brothers were keen to promote the marque as a prestige brand to place it alongside Rover and Jaguar. This book takes the story of Humber cars from after the Second World War, looking at the models, as well as their association with royalty, government and other official duties as well as being luxury, family cars. Models covered are the Hawk, Super Snipe and Sceptre, which takes the story up until the marque's demise in 1976 with the takeover by the Chrysler Corporation of America following the decline in fortune of Rootes during the 1960s.