X - WITHDRAWN Humber 9/28 Saloon

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THIS VEHICLE HAS NOW BEEN WITHDRAWN

From the dawn of the motoring age until the end of the 1970s, Humber cars were a very important part of the British motor industry. At first, high quality cars were produced at Beeston in Nottinghamshire and in Coventry; later production was concentrated in Coventry and a popular range of luxury light cars was developed which lasted into the late 1920s. As prosperity increased after the Great War, the firm introduced larger and more luxurious models and throughout the 1930s the catalogue came to consist overwhelmingly of large and stately cars.

The smaller Humber cars of the 1920s represented the epitome of upper middle-class expectations and every successful doctor, broker or bank manager aspired to the cachet of this solid and respectable marque. Typical of the breed was the delightful 9/28 of 1929-30. Powered by a 1.1-litre inlet-over-exhaust four-cylinder engine, the 9/28 had four-wheel drum brakes, single plate clutch, coil ignition and a beautifully trimmed leather and woodwork interior. “A luxurious and comparatively large £280 saloon which, with an engine rated at only 8.3hp, is capable of over 50mph,” was how Light Car & Cycle Car summed it up in a road test in June 1929.

Despatched to C Clarke of Retford in March 1929, this particular 9/28 Saloon was treated to a full restoration between August 2005 and October 2008 at a cost of over £12,000. This included a full interior retrim in navy blue hide, bodywork refurbishment and respray, replacement of all the glass, a rewire and a thorough mechanical overhaul – all the work being recorded on photographs.

As you can see, the car is now in superb condition throughout and must surely be as good an example as you could ever hope to find. Taxed and MOTd until June 2010, it is ‘on the button’ and ready to go.