1946 Humber Super Snipe

1945-57 Humber Super Snipe Mark I-IV

Hillman and Humber were absorbed into the Rootes Group in 1928 and 1929, and by 1932 they had been slotted into the corporation at different levels. Humber targeted up-market Alvis, Armstrong-Siddeley, Bentley and Daimler, while Hillman was aimed at Austin, Morris, Ford and Standard. Humber sold the 1.9-litre, 4-cylinder Hawk, the huge 4-litre 6-cylinder Pullman from 1936, and the 2.7-litre 6-cylinder Snipe from 1938.

The 1945 offerings were warmed-over models. The Snipe had the 2.7-litre, 6-cylinder engine, but the new Super Snipe was powered by the 100 horsepower, 4-litre, 6-cylinder engine from the pre-war Pullman. All models gained hydraulic brakes, sliding roofs, projecting boots, and independent front suspension via transverse leaf spring. A total of 3,909 were sold in three years.

For 1948 the smaller Snipe was discontinued and the Mark II Super Snipe was significantly redesigned. It was termed "modern but dignified" with integral headlights and an alligator bonnet. The Super Snipe now had a bench front seat, column gear change, wider track and variable ratio steering. 1948 models had two round spotlights below the headlights; the left was a fog light and the right a "pass light". They were replaced by square parking lights in 1949.

The Super Snipe saloon was joined by a huge Tickford bodied drophead coupe in 1949-1950 and 125 of those were sold. The Mark III of 1950 featured simpler domed bumpers, rear wheel spats and square stainless trim on the running boards. A Panhard rod enabled softer springs to be used at the rear. Buyers could still opt for the gigantic 131-inch wheelbase Pullman division-window limousine, or the Imperial saloon.

Despite its displacement, the sidevalve engine only delivered a modest 100 horsepower but Maurice Gatsonides (inventor of the Gatso traffic camera) entered a Super Snipe in the 1950 Monte Carlo Rally. It was the least sporting car he could think of, with 0-60 mph in 19.1 seconds and a top speed of 81.6 mph. But he almost won a very snowy event, finishing second to Becquart's Hotchkiss, and being one of only five cars to avoid penalties.

For 1952, the Mark IV Super Snipe received a full-width Raymond Loewy-designed saloon body, similar to the 1948 Hawk redesign. At last the flathead 4086cc, 6-cylinder engine was replaced by a 113 horsepower, 4138cc overhead valve unit - albeit from a Commer lorry. While the Super Snipe's cabin was the same as the Hawk, both front and rear were extended. The Mark IV Snipe sported quite a bit more chrome, and two-tone paint was optional, along with walnut interior trim.

Top speed was now 90 mph, and the Super Snipe had coil spring front suspension. Overdrive was offered in 1955 and an automatic transmission in 1956. In all, 17,933 would be sold before the advent of the unitary construction New Super Snipe saloon in 1957, which was modeled closely on the 1955 Chevrolet.