Humber

Humber Price Guide

Humber was the quality marque within the Rootes Group – one step above Hillman and one below the most rarefied British luxury cars – and its cars reflected that positioning with solid build quality, generous equipment levels, and a discreet, establishment character. If you own a Humber, you own a car that was once the transport of choice for government ministers, senior civil servants, and the upper ranks of British professional life. The collector market is modest but genuine, driven by enthusiasts who appreciate these cars on their own merits rather than speculation.

What Affects Humber Values

Model, body style, and survival are the key factors. Humbers were well-built cars by the standards of their era, but they were still mass-produced and subject to the same rust issues that afflicted all British steel-bodied cars of the period. Clean, solid examples are becoming increasingly scarce, and the best survivors are held by knowledgeable enthusiasts within the Rootes Group clubs. The Humber name carries an establishment association that gives these cars a certain gravitas at classic events – they are quintessentially British in a way that resonates with a particular buyer.

Pre-War and Early Post-War

Pre-war Humbers range from Edwardian-era vehicles through to the handsome saloons and tourers of the 1930s. The Snipe and Super Snipe names were established before the war and the open touring body styles from this era are the most sought after. Post-war, the Hawk and Super Snipe continued the tradition of refined, comfortable motoring with improving power and refinement. The Series I through V Super Snipe and the Sceptre are the most commonly collected post-war Humbers and offer a dignified, spacious classic car experience at modest prices.

The Imperial and Later Models

The Imperial was the top of the Humber range – a large, luxuriously equipped saloon that served as the official car of the British Prime Minister (Harold Macmillan and Alec Douglas-Home both used Humber Imperials) and senior government figures. This provenance gives the Imperial a particular historical interest that extends beyond the usual collector community. The final Humber Sceptre, sharing its body with the Hillman Hunter and Sunbeam Rapier but with superior trim and equipment, is an increasingly scarce car that has bottomed out in value and represents excellent buying for anyone who appreciates the last expression of the Humber marque. Parts availability is reasonable through the Rootes Group specialist trade and the various Humber and Rootes clubs.