Lot Ended
Description
A wonderful 'oily rag' example owned by its first lady owner until her
death in 1977 when it was bequeathed to her Chauffeur; owned by
our well known vendor since 2012; fantastic patina, unadulterated and much
as it left the Humber factory in 1928!
Founded as a
bicycle maker in 1868, Humber began motor car production in c.1900 with the
unconventional (front-wheel drive, rear wheel steer) M D Voiturette and similar
machines. A more conventional range of De Dion powered light cars soon followed,
which used a shaft drive set up in an era when chain was the norm. Four cylinder 12 and 20Hp models were
then added by 1903.
1923 was an important year
for Humber and marked the introduction of their new range of inlet-over-exhaust
engines replacing the earlier side-valve units. Introduced in 1926 as a
replacement for the earlier 12/25, the 14/40 model as we have here was powered
by a 2,050cc four-cylinder engine closely related to the bigger 20/55 six who’s
bore and stroke it shared. Drive is via a four-speed gearbox with well-chosen
ratios, and we are told the four wheel brakes are well up to the job, with
lively, rather than spritely performance on offer.
Progressive in its choice of engines, Humber was more conservative
with its chassis design, only offering front wheel braking as an option from the
mid-1920s (!). Three regular body
styles were available on the 14/40, the most popular was the four-seat Tourer
which cost some £460 at the time, a considerable sum and one that reflected
Humber’s quality for discerning buyers.
This
wonderful ‘oily rag’ example is known to the Humber register and was bought new
in 1928 by Miss Alderman of Broadway, Peterborough, who bequeathed the car to
her chauffeur on her death who later sold the car at auction in 2012 where our
vendor (well known in these circles and of ‘The Automobile’ fame) purchased the
car with just one sole owner, showing only 63,914 miles at the
time.
We are told the engine was rebuilt by
Antique Automobiles of Baston in 1977 when the chauffeur took charge of the
car. A selection of paperwork is in the history file, which includes the
V5C showing one former keeper, the auction catalogue from 2012, several copies
of the Humber Register magazine, register of members, hand written
correspondence, file of Humber service information and historic bills dating
from 2017 for an overhauled speedometer and rewire of the Lucas magneto.
The file also contains a newspaper cutting
relating to the original owner, Miss Alderman, regarding her spurning offers for
her home in Peterborough, dated June 1966 which makes reference to her still
driving her 1928 Humber around the area.
A
wonderful example in true ‘oily rag’ state, that’s been kept this way with
beautiful patina and a well appointed interior that looks akin to the drawing
room of a stately home. Not used
for a few years due to ill health, the Humber is crying out for some fresh use,
but please, please don’t change the oily rag nature!
For more
information contact - [email protected]