Humber Super Snipe

Infobox Automobile


name = Humber Super Snipe
manufacturer = Rootes Group
production = 1938-1967
predecessor =
successor =
designer =

The Humber Super Snipe was a car produced by the British based Humber car company, part of the Rootes Group.

Pre-war Super Snipe

Infobox Automobile generation
name = Humber Super Snipe


production = 1938-1940
1500 (approx) madecite book |last=Sedgwick |first=M. |authorlink= |coauthors= Gillies. M|title=A-Z of Cars 1930|year=1989 |publisher=Bay View Books |location=Devon, UK |id=ISBN 1-870979-38-9]
predecessor = Humber Snipe
body_style = 4-door saloon
Sports saloon
Drophead coupé
engine = 4086 cc Straight-6 side valve
transmission =
length = 175 inches (4445 mm)
width = 70 inches (1778 mm)
height =
weight =
wheelbase = 114 inches (2896 mm)cite book |last=Culshaw |first= |authorlink= |coauthors=Horrobin |title=Complete Catalogue of British Cars |year=1974 |publisher=Macmillan |location=London |id=ISBN 0-333-16689-2]

The Super Snipe was introduced in October, 1938, derived by combining the four-litre inline six- cylinder engine from the larger Humber Pullman with the chassis and body of the Humber Snipe, normally powered by a three-litre engine. The result was a car of enhanced performance and a top speed of convert|79|mi/h|km/h|0|abbr=on —fast for its day.

The Super Snipe was marketed to an upper middle class of managers, professional people and government officials. It was relatively low priced for its large size and performance, and was similar to American cars in appearance and concept, and in providing value for money.

Within a year of introduction, World War II broke out in Europe, but the car continued in production, as a British military staff car the Car, 4-seater, 4x2, and as an armoured reconnaissance vehicle, the Humber Light Reconnaissance Car.

uper Snipe Mark I to IV

Infobox Automobile generation
name = Humber Super Snipe Mark I-IV


production = 1945-1957
production 3909 (I)
8361 (II)
8703 (III)
17,993 (IV) cite book |last=Sedgwick |first=M. |authorlink= |coauthors= Gillies. M|title=A-Z of Cars 1945-1970|year=1986 |publisher=Bay View Books |location=Devon, UK |id=ISBN 1870979397]
body_style = 4-door saloon
Estate car
Drophead coupé
engine = 4086 cc Straight-6 side valve (I to III)
4138 cc Straight-6 ohv ((IV)
transmission =
length = 180 inches (4572 mm) (I)
187 inches (4762 mm) (II)
191 inches (2090 mm)) (III)
197 inches (5004 mm) (IV)
width = 69 inches (1753 mm) (I)
74 inches (1892 mm) (II & III)
71 inches (1816 mm) (IV)
height =
weight =
wheelbase = 114 inches (2896 mm) (I)
117 inches (2985 mm) (I to III)
116 inches (2940 mm) (IV)In 1946, post-war civilian production resumed and the Super Snipe evolved though several versions, each designated by a Mark number, each generally larger, more powerful, and more modern, until production ended in 1957 with the Mark IVB version.

While the post-WWII home market for the car continued as before, the Rootes Group also marketed the car for export. The Super Snipe was relatively successful in Australia, where it was locally assembled from kits, beginning with the Mark IV version in 1952. From 1956 the car was available with automatic transmission, but the model was discontinued shortly afterwards.

Mk I

The Mark I was essentially an enlarged version of the 1945 Humber Hawk, itself a facelifted pre-war car. There was also a Snipe, which used 1936 vintage 2731 cc engines.

Mk II

For the 1948 Mark II the body was updated with the headlights fitted into the wings and transverse-spring independent suspension used. A few drophead coupés were made by Tickford in 1949 and 1950 but the estate cars were factory built.

Mk III

The Mk III followed in 1950 and was externally very similar but had a Panhard rod added to the rear suspension..

A Mk III tested by The Motor magazine in 1951 had a top speed of convert|81.6|mph|km/h|abbr=on and could accelerate from 0-convert|60|mph|km/h|abbr=on in 19.1 seconds. A fuel consumption of convert|17.7|mpgimp|L/100 km mpgus was recorded. The test car cost £1471 including taxes. cite journal | authorlink = Unsigned |title = The Humber Super Snipe Mk III| journal =The Motor| volume = | pages = | date = June 13 1951]

Mk IV

The Mark IV of 1952 used a 1950 Hawk Mk IV body shell lengthened by convert|6|in|mm|0|abbr=on but with a 4138 cc 113 bhp overhead valve engine based on one from a Commer truck. From 1955 overdrive was available as an option followed in 1956 by an automatic gearbox.

In 1953 "The Motor" tested a Mk IV and found the larger engine had increased performance with the top speed now convert|91|mph|km/h|abbr=on and acceleration from 0-convert|60|mph|km/h|abbr=on in 14.7 seconds. Fuel consumption had increased to convert|15.5|mpgimp|L/100 km mpgus. The test car cost slightly more, at £1481 including taxes. cite journal | authorlink = Unsigned |title = The Humber Super Snipe Road Test| journal =The Motor| volume = | pages = | date = August 5 1953]

New Super Snipe Series I to V

Infobox Automobile
name = Humber Super Snipe Series I-V


production = 1958-1967
production 6072 (I)
7175 (II)
7257 (III)
6495 (IV)3032 (V)
body_style = 4-door saloon
Estate car
limousine
engine = 2655 cc Straight-6 ohv (I)
2965 cc ohv (II-V)
transmission = 3 speed manual
Overdrive and automatic optional
length = Auto in|185|0 (I & II) 188 inches (4775 mm) (III to V)
width = Auto in|69.5|0
height = Auto in|62|0
weight =
wheelbase = 110 inches (2794 mm) In October 1958, a new Super Snipe was introduced and, confusingly, the designation returned to the Super Snipe I but this time the variants were identified by a series number. The new car was based on the unitized chassis and body of the four-cylinder Humber Hawk, but with a 2.6 litre.

The new Super Snipe was smaller on the outside, but larger on the inside, with improved performance and more modern appearance, similar to mid-1950s General Motors American cars. It was discontinued in July, 1967, with the Series VA version, by which time the Rootes Group was under the control of the American Chrysler Corporation.

eries II

For the 1959 Series II the engine was enlarged to 3 litre using an Armstrong Siddeley-based, inline six cylinder engine. Girling Auto in|11.5|0 disc brakes were introduced on the front wheels with Auto in|11|0 drums on the rear axle.

A Series II with overdrive and power steering was tested by "The Motor" in 1960 and had a top speed of convert|94.7|mph|km/h|abbr=on and could accelerate from 0-convert|60|mph|km/h|abbr=on in 16.5 seconds. A fuel consumption of convert|24.6|mpgimp|L/100 km mpgus was recorded. The test car cost £1601 including taxes. The basic car cost £1453.cite journal | authorlink = Unsigned |title = The Humber Super Snipe| journal =The Motor| volume = | pages = | date = February 10 1960]

eries III

The Series III of 1960 was largely a styling update distinguishable by its four headlights.

eries IV

The 1962 Series IV had a slightly higher-tuned engine giving Auto bhp|124.5|0 as against Auto bhp|121|0.

eries V

The final Series V version saw twin carburettors (usually Zenith) fitted, increasing the power to 128.5 bhp, and synchromesh was fitted to all ratios in the gearbox—on the previous versions it had only been on the upper two. Power steering was available as an optional extra.

Humber Imperial

The Imperial version had a vinyl roof and automatic transmission as standard although a manual version could be ordered.

References

External links

* [http://hometown.aol.com/crooksnipe/myhomepage/index.html Humber Enthusiasts Group] of New South Wales, with lots of scanned brochures.
* [http://www.philseed.com/hb-snipe-s1.html Some more brochures] .
* [http://www.humberonia.freeserve.co.uk/ Humberonia] .
* [http://silverstone.fortunecity.com/mosside/65/Humber.html Pictorial] and [http://www.geocities.com/humbersupersnipe111/ commentary] on restoring a Series III Super Snipe (both the same car).
* [http://www.motorbase.com/manufacturer/by-id/46/ Motorbase] entry on the Humber marque.