Sunday, April 16, 2017

Humbers and Hillmans.

The Humber Hillman Car Club of New Zealand held an event over Easter, based at the Copthorne Solway Park motor inn in Masterton. On Sunday morning they had a public display.
1940 Humber 10 was the oldest car present.

Not a Humber or Hillman, but a 1967 Singer Vogue based on the Hillman Super Minx .

Humber's Super Snipe model spanned some 22 years.
This example is one of the last, a 1966 series 5a.

A 1954 Humber Hawk Mk 6.
The Hawk and the Super Snipe were similar looking models, but the Hawk used a 4 cylinder engine and 4 speed transmission, whereas the longer wheelbase Super Snipe had  6 cylinder power and a 3 speed box.

Although looking similar to the above picture, this is a 1957 Humber Super Snipe Mk $b.
This is the last model of Super Snipe to use this body style.

The Humber Sceptre was a model based on the Hillman Super Minx, with some styling changes and levels of luxury expected in a Humber. This is a Mk 2 model of  1966.
Later Sceptres were based on the Hillman Hunter body.
This is a 1974 Mk 3.

This is a 1962 Humber 80 series 3c Estate.
Humber 80s were a NZ only badge engineered version of the Hillman Minx.
Another 1962 series 3c Humber 80.
This time a saloon.

The Humber Super Snipe were designed to be a big solid cruising car with its 3 litre, 6 cylinder engine.
They  are quiet smooth and reasonably luxurious.
This is a 1962 series 3.
There were earlier series 1 and 2s in this body style, but they had just one headlamp each side. They seem to be quite rare now.


The Hillman Avenger was introduced in 1970. Smaller than the Hunter range and designed to compete with the likes of Fords Escort. The one pictured is a Chrysler Avenger; the name that was used from about 1976 after Chrysler's take over of Rootes Group 

Super Snipes in two different series.
Closest to camera is a 1962 series 3 and the other a 1966 series 5a.
Note the obvious difference in the design of the glass area.
Personally I like the more rounded roof-line and glass of the earlier model.



Based on the Hillman Super Minx, for the NZ market, was the Humber 90.

This Super Snipe from 1965 is either a series 5 or 5a.
The main difference between them was the introduction of an alternator and negative earth electrics on the 5a.

Again the difference in glass and roof-line is obvious.


'61 Super Snipe series 3.

The '66 Super Snipe series 5a was the last model produced

Super Snipe interior had thick carpet, wooden dashboard and a bench seat like a comfy couch.

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