Humber Pullman Limousine

History

By 1932 the famous Humber marque had been taken over by The Rootes Group which had also swallowed up Hillman. Pretty soon Humber was producing a range of cars powered solely by six-cylinder engines and the brand became established as the upmarket end of the Rootes empire, the cars being used almost exclusively by civic dignitaries, government bigwigs and top brass military personnel. Top of the range was the Humber Pullman limousine based on the 132-inch wheelbase Super Snipe chassis with imposing bodywork by Pressed Steel, independent front suspension, chunky wire wheels, built-in jacks, synchromesh gearbox and a 100bhp 4.1-litre engine.

At the outbreak of the Second World War many were militarised to become either armoured light reconnaissance vehicles or staff cars, the most famous being 'Old Faithful', the command car that General Montgomery used throughout the North African and italian campaigns. Some 3,700 Pullmans were produced between 1936 and 1943.

This particular example was acquired by the current vendor in about 1940, having had just one previous owner before that. It was hidden away during the war to prevent it being commandeered by the military and has only seen light use as a wedding and funeral car ever since. The car was fitted with a replacement engine in the 1950s but is otherwise totally original and unrestored. If required, the original engine is also available by separate negotiation, as are a quantity of other spares.

The indicated mileage of 51,835 is believed to be genuine and the car comes with its original owner's manual, green log book, and many fascinating maps, hotel guides, insurance certificates and other documents from the 1940s and 50s. It even still has a pair of headlamp masks issued during the wartime blackout.

Always well maintained and last on the road in 2004, the car is said to be in good running order throughout though it may need some light recommissioning before it can be pressed back into regular use. Altogether an exceptionally honest and unmolested car with a nice history of continuous ownership over many decades.