1966 Humber Super Snipe

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 £5,000, then £250 is added, making the total amount payable of £5,250.

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.

With the proviso that we haven’t tried to start or drive this car and can therefore only attest to its cosmetic condition, we think this Humber Super Snipe (VIN: B8202501POSBWLSX) is good example of a rare model.

In common with many vehicles from the vendor’s collection, the car comes with very little history and no service records.

Our dilemma with this Super Snipe is that it came to us described as being a 1966 car, which would make it a Series V or Va.

The chassis number on the car (checked against the Post Vintage Humber Car Club register of chassis numbers) says otherwise, firmly establishing it as a LHD (export) Series IV car with powering steering and a Borg Warner auto box.

Our informed hunch appears to be supported by the presence of a Series IV Owner’s manual with the car.

Series IV cars were manufactured between 1962 and ’64. We don’t know when exactly in this period this car was made (Humber aficionados will no doubt know better), so we’ve arbitrarily opted for the middle of the range and plumped for 1963.

We don’t know.

We do know that its odometer today reads 27,418 km.

We understand that it was bought for the vendor’s collection of static display vehicles in 2012.

The bodywork is fairly true, the panels are pretty straight, but there are a few minor dinks, dimples and dents in various places around the car.

All shut lines and door gaps are pretty consistent and even, although the two rear doors don’t currently close flush with the bodywork.

The white paintwork is really quite good in most areas.

The wheels look to be in very reasonable condition and the hub caps have resisted foxing and tarnishing pretty well.

Indeed, the chrome work in general has held up fairly well, but there is a little corrosion on the grille and the rear bumper has a few minor dents in it.

The most obvious flaw is around the o/s headlamp, where the car has clearly grazed against something (or vice versa), lost some paint and picked up a few scuffs and scrapes.

There are some holes for mounting something or other on the o/s leading edge of the bonnet.

There is a shallow dent in the o/s door, and some bubbling in the o/s sill and lower wing.

There are paint chips on the n/s/f wing and a few smaller ones on the boot lid.

The Super Snipe badge is missing from the n/s (it’s inside the car) and there is a residue of glue and some exposed mounting holes in its place.

The interior condition is really very impressive and appears to be authentic and original.

The red upholstery on the front bench seat looks fine and is free of any damage.

Ditto the rear seats, which are equally good save for a small tear at the base of the centre armrest.

The seating is comfortable, supportive and functional all round.

The door cards are good, as are the carpets and mats.

The wood veneers on the door cappings, the back of the front bench seat and the dashboard are all in very fine fettle.

There are a few small holes in the headlining in front of the driver’s seat.

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.

A section of the steering wheel column housing is missing.

The boot looks fine, except for a perished rubber seal. It contains a few tools but no spare wheel.

Everything we can see underneath looks to have a reasonable degree of structural integrity, although there is rust dust and some flaking in evidence.

Clearly, you’ll want to see for yourself.

The engine and engine bay are 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, it has neither an MoT certificate nor a 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 haven’t tried to start or drive the car so our understanding of it is somewhat limited.

That said, provided the car’s engine and mechanicals prove to be in proper working order, amenable to recommissioning and as good as the rest of the vehicle, we think this Humber Super Snipe could well prove to be a highly rewarding car to own, drive and enjoy.

We’re confident to offer this car for auction with an estimate of £5,000 - £10,000, 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’.