1960 Humber Super Snipe

[Deleted]

I'm just starting my thread with the very few pics I currently have, which I have probably posted somewhere else here previously. I have had the car about three weeks now. Not had chance to spend any meaningful time with it yet, but have had a few cruises in it and it seems largely to be in good mechanical shape. It has a whine at high speed which I can't locate yet, but I suspect its the rear off side wheel bearing. It could possibly be the diff ... I need to find some time to investigate. It could end up being a wind whistle to be honest. I just don't know.

Other than that, it could do with some bodywork TLC (in the new year) and I discovered a rather massive rust hole in the boot floor that means the nearside isn't connected to the wall at all. It came with a clean MOT, no advisories, and I suspect this would be an MOT fail due to it's proximity to the rear wheel suspension. I haven't had chance to get it jacked up to investigate further underneath, but this might be its big horror story. If it is an MOT fail then the whole MOT isn't worth the paper it was printed on.

Drives well though, and it gets lots of attention, which I'm not entirely sure I'm comfortable with. (one bloke this morning felt it necessary to actually step into the road right in front of me to make hand gestures, pointing and mouthing words... I thought I had my indicator on, or my full beams, or maybe there was an old lady clinging to the underside based on the dramatic way he was trying to get my attention... turns out he was just saying 'Wicked car mate' in an overly enthusiastic display of appreciation).

The only thing I've done to the car thus far was to change the front springs, which were like concrete for track racing, for a set of slightly softer ones. I did that with the seller before driving it away though so it doesn't count as home fettling.

i will use this thread for any eventual work.

[Deleted]

My immediate tasks are:

1. Get it weatherproofed
2. Consider removing lowering blocks on the back so it's not so prone over speed bumps.
3. Get it serviced and tuned.

I've always hankered after a gasser style car, and part of me wonders about getting the entire ride height raised and sticking some really fat white letter tyres on the rears for starters. That was my plan when I went to view the car, but I've started to think it has a charm of it's own as a British saloon track car, and giving it a gasser look might possibly be a bit of a mistake.

[Deleted]

Gasser style Super Snipe ...



Too much maybe?

[carltonx]

really cool car , i see a mint one of these at work , i think if it was mine id get the body back to standerd and big chrome wheels on the back and skinny ones up front , gasser is a good look with a loud exhaust sticking out

[wodge]

I'd leave that exactly as it is. The patina, debumpered aggressiveness and those wide steels look spot on. Much want!

[Deleted]

I feel the same way now. It has worked its charms on me and I'm reluctant to curse word about with the authentic British retro look of it for the sake of a fake/wannabee American hot rod theme. Also, because it has some chops as a track racer it has really good handling on corners, and dicking about with it will lose that.

This film is from the 1961 East African rally and features a Snipe that looks exactly like mine... so it feels proper retro as it is.



(edit: Its not worth watching the film, although the Snipe is shown briefly in the first scene. I think it goes on to win too, but I got bored and skipped to the end so I don't know that for sure)

I did buy it to go Gasser though. Sigh... decisions decisions...

[Deleted]

Carlton, do you have a thread for your Moggy on here? I've always had a soft spot for ruff-rod Moggies.

(edit: Just found your thread. Will be watching progress from here on)

(and also... Yardie? or is it possibly a reference to Yardley Wood?... I'm a brummie myself although I haven't lived there since 1989. How's life in the old town these days? I miss the place but hardly know it now when I visit. The town centre is like an alien planet to me now)

[qwerty]

Wow! That is fantastic. Proper british bruiser.

[Rob M]

This car is the first thing I see when I turn my laptop on and get to the main page.
It elbowed out my Lotus as the "wallpaper" i am mostly in love with.......
I see lots of cars that id like to own and or drive but this one ticks every single box.
Even the colour is spot on, its just a massively huge great want for me.
I think I read about this car elsewhere on't web and IIRC, it wasnt a winner in races but could hold its own.
What does she go like? Is she quick enough to frighten the odd boy racer?
Superb, just superb.

[Deleted]

It was, apparently, featured in an Octane article at some point, but I haven't tracked that down yet. I have never read Octane magazine. I assumed it was a kind of MaxPower for posh people.

Possibly you read the car&classic ad, which said "you wont win any races but you'll have a lot of fun".

I can confirm that it can keep up quite nicely with modern traffic but I stick rigidly to the speed limits at all times.

[optimusprime]

Oct 22, 2014 12:10:22 GMT @quatermass said:

Gasser style Super Snipe ...



Too much maybe?

Not sure on that.
Its not a look i personally like,but its not my motor,so you do what you want.


However in its current state,just get it mechanically sorted, and your onto a winner.

Just my thoughts.

[Rob M]

Oct 22, 2014 17:13:31 GMT @quatermass said:

It was, apparently, featured in an Octane article at some point, but I haven't tracked that down yet. I have never read Octane magazine. I assumed it was a kind of MaxPower for posh people.

Possibly you read the car&classic ad, which said "you wont win many races but you'll have a lot of fun".

I can happily confirm that it can definitely keep up quite nicely with modern traffic, and if pressed into action I *suspect* it would prove to be a very capable performer, but I wouldn't know anything about that personally, as I stick rigidly to the speed limits at all times.

=)

I'm liking you a lot!!!!

[Deleted]

Cheers you lot. Thanks for the kind words about my new ride. I've always been on the outside of the car community due to personal circumstances (two young kids, long working hours, no time to get to events and meets, and most importantly absolutely none of my friends share my passion... at all) so it's great to finally bust my cherry and drop in and get such a warm welcome. Really looking forward to getting along to some gatherings in future.

[optimusprime]

Oct 22, 2014 17:48:26 GMT @quatermass said:

Cheers you lot. Thanks for the kind words about my new ride. I've always been on the outside of the car community due to personal circumstances (two young kids, long working hours, no time to get to events and meets, and most importantly absolutely none of my friends share my passion... at all) so it's great to finally bust my cherry and drop in and get such a warm welcome. Really looking forward to getting along to some gatherings in future.

C'mon there,man up! You'll have be getting us having hugs next!

I'm the same as you really, but add in no spare cash for playing with cars ..... At least you have a project to play with!

[Deleted]

I only stopped crying about two minutes ago. Not sad tears though, great big happy tears, filled with love.

* dabs eyes with handkerchief.

[optimusprime]

Handkerchief??!!
Now you really are pushing it!
You should be using a bit of oily rag you found in the tool kit!

[adam73bgt]

Love the old touring car look, its like a left field alternative to a Jag Mk2

[lamsdale]

I love this as it is - the colour, the wheels, the stance, the rollcage, everything. I'd get it sorted mechanically and get he bodywork sound but don't over restore it. That way you won't be afraid to use it. And after all, how many like this do you see.

[ezzysi]

This could be one of the coolest things I've seen for some time, nearly bought a super snipe for my first car but chickened out and ended up with a dolomite.

[eternaloptimist]

Absolutely love this. Very tough, self assured look. Big want.