1939 Humber Super Snipe DHC

This motor car is being sold as part of an overseas collection. It has been imported under the Bonhams temporary admission customs bond and is therefore subject to the lower rate 5% import tax if the car is to remain in the UK & purchased by a private individual. The 5% is calculated on the final selling price. For example, if the car sells for £8,000, then £400 is added, making the total amount payable of £8,400.

The winning bidder will receive a receipt for the final hammer value, and proof that HMRC fees are paid. If the car is subsequently exported abroad within 30 days then these fees are refundable.

A company buying the car will have to pay VAT on the hammer price, as well as duty + VAT.

Lastly, there will be a nominal administration fee of £250 for processing the NOVA application, and payable direct to the shipping company. A completed and processed NOVA will provide you formal proof that all duties & taxes are paid in UK and thus allow you to register the vehicle with the DVLA

In common with the majority of cars in this collection, this vehicle has been on static display for a number of years and there is no history available beyond that displayed in our photography section.

We have not started or driven the car so cannot vouch for its mechanical viability or functionality. It will require recommissioning prior to road use and is sold ‘as seen’.

It is available for view and inspection at our HQ near Abingdon and we will be delighted to show the car to you and/or your appointed engineer.

The car we have with us today is an extremely rare 1939 Humber Super Snipe DHC.

It may or may not have a body by Tickford (which we think would make it even rarer), but we’re sure Humber aficionados will know at a glance.

In common with many vehicles from the vendor’s collection, this car comes with virtually no history or service records.

This Humber Super Snipe DHC was first registered in the UK on 24th May 1939, just 102 days before Neville Chamberlain announced to the nation that Britain was at war with Germany.

Its chassis number is: 8100989.

We know that its mileage was recorded as being 66,926 on the occasion of its 2006 MoT, and 67,202 when it last received an MoT certificate in 2010.

We know that it was bought for the vendor’s collection of static display vehicles in February 2011.

And we know that its current mileage is 67,252.

The bodywork is largely free of any dinks, dents, creases, ripples or folds of note.

The maroon paintwork has not fared quite so well, and is variously flat, scratched, dull, scuffed, blistered or chipped depending on where you cast your gaze.

The panels and shut lines seem relatively consistent and even.

The wheels are in reasonable condition and the chrome work has held up pretty well on the bumpers and grille.

There are stone chips on both front wings. There are also mounting holes for something (again, we imagine Humber aficionados will know) that’s no longer present on the forward-facing aspects of both front wings.

The n/s/f wing has some areas of missing paint.

There is bubbling in both sills below the doors and in front of the windscreen.

The boot lid has stone chips on and around it. There is some bubbling in evidence below the hood at the rear.

The hood looks to be in fairly acceptable condition, but there’s a large gap at the rear between the hood and the bodywork.

The rubber seals around windows and doors are perished or missing everywhere.

The interior condition is entirely consistent with its exterior counterpart.

In other words, it’s not perfect but it’s certainly not beyond salvation – particularly when you factor in the rarity of this model.

The leather upholstery is ripped, torn and otherwise worn on the front seats. The fabric backing to these seats has suffered from the unwelcome attentions of moths and their nascent offspring at some point.

The rear seats have coped with the ravages of time with slightly more fortitude but also feature rips and tears in places.

The carpets and mats (which look somewhat newer than other items in the interior) are not too bad and the lining of the hood, while fairly grubby, seems to be pretty much intact and serviceable.

The door cards are a bit tired and dirty but are otherwise decent.

The wood on the door cappings is in pretty good condition.

Everything on and around the dashboard seems broadly reasonable if in need of some cleaning and TLC.

We can’t make any claims about the functionality of switches, knobs, levers, toggles, buttons, dials or other electrics as we haven’t tried to start the vehicle.

The boot looks fine.

In general, the undersides seem to have a reasonable degree of structural integrity, although there is some rust dust and flaking in evidence.

You will, of course, want to see for yourself and reach your own conclusions.

The engine bay is clean and dry and everything appears to be in its right and proper place.

The car doesn’t come with a service history or any record of work done.

Currently, this car has neither an MoT certificate nor a current V5.

It must be registered in the country of your choice and you will need to contact the appropriate vehicle licensing agency for instructions on how to do this. Any paperwork shown in the gallery is a facsimile and in no way constitutes any kind of licensing or registration certification.

We think this grand, hand-built 83-year-old car is a handsome example of a very rare model and one that is wholly deserving of the time and attention its next owner will want to devote to it.

Provided, of course that the engine, mechanicals and structure are all amenable to recommissioning.

We’re confident to offer this car for auction with an estimate of £8,000 - £14,000 plus Bonhams bond payment and £250 NOVA fee.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; we are open weekdays 9am-5pm, to arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’