Humber Super Snipe

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The Humber Super Snipe was a car produced by the English based Rootes Group. It was introduced October, 1938, and was derived by combining the four litre inline six cylinder engine from the larger Humber Pullman with the chassis and body of the Humber Snipe, a car which normally carried a three litre engine. The result was a car of enhanced performance, and a car which was 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. After the war, in 1946, 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 World War II 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 assembled, beginning with the Mark IV version in 1952.

In October 1958, a new Super Snipe was introduced, based on the unitized chassis and body of the four cylinder Humber Hawk, but with a 2.6 litre, soon enlarged to 3 litre, Armstrong Siddeley based, inline six cylinder engine. The new Super Snipe was smaller on the outside, but larger on the inside, with improved performance, and more modern appearance, similar to mid-1950’s General Motors American cars. It evolved though several versions, this time identified by a series number, until discontinued in July, 1967, with the Series VA version, by which time the Rootes Group was under control of the American Chrysler Corporation.

External links

[Humber and Rootes Group Section] of the Veteran Car Club of Western Australia, with many good Super Snipe photos.
[Humber Enthusiasts Group] of New South Wales, with lots of scanned brochures.
[Some more brochures].
[Humberonia].
[Pictorial] and [commentary] on restoring a Series III Super Snipe (both the same car).
[Motorbase] entry on the Humber marque.

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