1950 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. A company buying the car will pay duty + VAT as well as VAT on the hammer.

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.

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 Humber Super Snipe we have with us has the VIN: 8802284HSO (although there is also another plate affixed to the engine bay which carries the number 085503).

People with more Humber Super Snipe expertise than us may be better placed to accurately interpret these numbers.

Overall, this Super Snipe appears to be in impressively good condition – certainly when you consider that it is 72 years’ old.

It seems to be an original and intact survivor of a once much-loved marque and model.

We believe it entered the vendor’s collection of static display vehicles in 2012.

It has an Irish tax disc on the windscreen dating from 2011.

The odometer reads 36,455 miles.

As with the other cars in this vendor’s collection, we haven’t tried to start or drive it and, consequently, our opinions are confined to the car’s cosmetic condition.

The panels are largely free of dents, creases and folds and the shut lines are pretty consistent.

The paintwork is really quite good, although there are areas where the paint is cracked, crazed, discoloured or otherwise flawed – notably at the front of the bonnet and around the headlights. There are also some small patches of bubbling at the front of the bonnet.

Most of the chrome work is OK, but there is pitting and foxing in a few places on the hub caps and a section of chrome trim on the o/s/r wing is coming away.

The o/s/r wheel arch is scuffed and shows evidence of a previous repair.

The sunroof is not seated correctly at present and seems to be stuck in a partially open position.

The n/s running board is a little out of shape and looks as if it may have some corrosion issues underneath the rubber surface.

The rubber trim around the windows is cracked, perished or missing in most places.

The glass in the n/s/f mirror is cracked.

The wheels look to be in fairly decent condition.

The inside, although not perfect, has a pleasantly warm and inviting patina.

This is mainly due to the soft brown leather upholstery, which is comfortable, supportive and in good general condition, both front and back.

It has a worn (but not worn out) look to it, but we think this was probably a feature of the leather’s appearance from new.

The carpets and mats have held up fairly well, too, as have the door cards.

The headlining is ripped at the back.

The wood and veneers are mostly good on the door cappings and dashboard, but the lacquer has peeled away in places. There is a crack at the top of the o/s/f door beneath the window.

A piece of the steering wheel boss has broken off.

The boot looks to be in fair condition.

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.

There’s a bit of rust dust and some flaking to be found underneath, although it’s hard to say to what extent, if any, this is a threat to the vehicle’s structural integrity.

Clearly, you will want to come and see for yourself.

The engine and engine bay appear to be clean and dry and, as far as we can tell, everything is in its right and proper place.

The car comes with no service history or any record of work done.

Currently, this car 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.

If you’d like to inspect the car prior to placing a bid – something we would encourage – then please use the Contact Seller button to arrange an appointment.

We haven’t tried to start or drive the car so our understanding of it is somewhat limited.

If the engine and mechanicals prove to be in the same decent condition as the rest of this stately motor car, then this could be a very good buy for a Humber enthusiast prepared to put the required time and effort into restoring this fine vehicle to its former glory.

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; 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’.