Description
The Humber Super Snipe – the flagship Humber model – was a class above the equivalent Vauxhall or Ford, giving the local Bank Manager, Accountant or MP the chance to be seen as successful, without being seen to be vulgar.
This is ‘Smokey’, our family car and almost certainly the only remaining Series 1 Estate. Supplied new to Sir Robert Black of Elvendon Priory and retained by the family until 1981. When we bought the car in 2015, I wrote to Sir David Black, the son of Sir Robert. He called me upon receiving the letter. When I said that I had all the early service literature and that his father kept excellent records, he simply replied “that would have been the chauffeur!”.
He remembered they had two Super Snipes, one saloon and one estate. The estate – SMO 666 – was used by the chauffeur to run sporting equipment such as guns and fishing rods up to the family estate in Scotland. The registration number, SMO 666, has been on it since new.
The current mileage of 86, 803 verifiable from handwritten notes, service records and MOTs. Ownership is known from new, and the two bulging history files include everything from the original ‘buff’ logbook, Shell service folder and Rootes service booklet through almost 60 years of maintenance records. It was allegedly uprated almost from new with the Series II 3 Litre engine, at the request of Sir David Black, who wasn’t happy that he hadn’t been informed of the upcoming Series II when ordering his SMO 666. The gearbox is the preferred 3 speed manual, with overdrive. On a long journey, it can cruise at 70mph and with the six-cylinder engine, and is hardly slowed by long hills.
Finished in a two-tone of light over dark grey, the upper paint is completely original, as is the red trim. We had the lower half of the car rust treated, repaired and painted a few years ago. Since our ownership over the past decade, we have spent an eye watering £23, 000 in service and repairs. We have fitted ISOFIX so the children can fit safely in the back. Also fitted with a high torque starter and electronic ignition for reliability, Smokey has taken us all over the country as a family, from Goodwood to Dorset, Pendine Sands to the Peak District. Sadly, we never made it on our planned pilgrimage to Scotland.
We fitted power steering, which transformed the car, making it much easier to drive. There is a leak in the hydraulic ram which will need sorting out. It has featured in magazine articles, and is loved by everyone who sees her. We really don’t want to be parting with her, she is a part of the family, but lack of use and a change in circumstances means it’s time to find Smokey a new home. Interviews for the role of next custodian are invited by email or phone.
