1954 Humber Pullman MkI

This motor car is being sold as part of an overseas collection. It has been imported under the Bonhams temporary admission customs bond and is therefore subject to the lower rate 5% import tax if the car is to remain in the UK & purchased by a private individual. The 5% is calculated on the final selling price. Cars less than 30 years old will pay 10% duty + VAT as well as VAT (a company buying the car will always have to pay VAT on the hammer price, as well as duty + VAT).

The winning bidder will receive a receipt for the final hammer value, and proof that HMRC fees are paid. If the car is subsequently exported abroad within 30 days then these fees are refundable.

Lastly, there will be a nominal administration fee of £350 for processing the NOVA application, and payable direct to the shipping company. A completed and processed NOVA will provide you formal proof that all duties & taxes are paid in UK and thus allow you to register the vehicle with the DVLA

In common with the majority of cars in this collection, this vehicle has been on static display for a number of years and there is no history available beyond that displayed in our photography section.

The car will require recommissioning prior to full road use and is sold ‘as seen’. We cannot vouch for its mechanical viability or functionality.

It is available for view and inspection at our HQ near Abingdon and we will be delighted to show the car to you and/or your appointed engineer.

In common with many vehicles from the vendor’s collection, this RHD manual 1948/9 Humber Pullman Mk I hearse comes with very little history and few service records.

VIN: 6700009

The car’s odometer reads 42,377 miles.

We believe it entered the vendor’s collection in 2012.

We know from an MoT record that the car was showing 4,779 miles on its odometer in 2006.

We also know that the car was bought in 1986 by a German (living in London and Berlin) by the name of Eike Erzmoneit.

It is his ownership that explains the surreal artwork on the rear door and, we imagine, the very distinctive bonnet mascot.

A brief online biography of Herr Erzmoneit reveals the following.

“Born in 1948, Eike grew up during the rebuilding of post-war Berlin, and in the shadow of the Berlin wall, escaped to London in 1973 where he qualified as a dental technician before following his love of music and becoming a professional drummer.

This move coincided with the beginnings of his interest in art and he began painting and sculpting, using acrylic paint and dental engineering materials.

Eike played with important bands of the progressive rock era, culminating with the chart-topping Atomic Rooster.”

A quick dig on YouTube unearthed a video of Eike driving the car from Germany to London. The car also turned up in a 1997 episode of Top Gear as part of a feature on people using hearses for reasons other than those for which they were intended.

Apparently, Eike and his band used the hearse as a tour bus.

With the proviso that we haven’t tried to start or drive this vehicle and can therefore only comment on its cosmetic condition, we think this 1948/9 Humber Pullman Mk I hearse is in reasonable overall condition (with some provisos) and is, clearly, pretty much unique.

We’re saying 1948/9 because there are documents (and videos) that claim both. It may be that Humber finished the chassis and engine in 1948 before sending it to coachbuilders Jenkins & Pain to be bodied in 1949.

We don’t know.

The bodywork seems to be in fairly decent condition and the panels are fairly straight and even.

But it’s not without the odd bash here and scrape there, particularly at the rear corners, where it’s looking a bit battered.

The blue paintwork is a similarly mixed bag, with some areas fairly good but no expanses of paint are entirely devoid of nicks, chips, scratches and scuffs.

The black front wheel arches are heavily scratched where the folding bonnet cover has been repeatedly opened and closed over the years.

Some rust is now occupying a few spaces vacated by paint on the bonnet.

There is some bubbling in evidence on the car’s o/s flank just back from the driver’s door.

There is some residual rubber forming a rectangular outline on the roof, presumably where something or other (some sort of roof rack?) was attached at one time.

The wheels are OK. So, too, is most of the chrome, although the o/s headlamp has a few dents in it.

The running boards feel fairly solid.

The interior has resisted the vicissitudes of time and use with commendable stoicism, given the vehicle’s great age.

The whole thing is covered in wood panelling and, in the main, the wood is really quite good, although the lacquer has lost the fight on the door cappings and below the long rear windows.

There are fold out chairs in the rear and a small drinks cabinet, presumably so that the grieving occupants can raise a last glass to old Uncle Geoff before he goes on his way.

The whole interior, especially the carpets, needs a thorough clean but most of it is intact and serviceable as far as we can tell.

The brown leather front seats have plenty of patina but have definitely seen better days, particularly the driver’s seat which is showing some significant rips and tears for its years of service. The passenger seat has fared better but is also heavily creased and worn.

The headlining is intact but grubby. The door cards are OK. The dashboard looks to be in fair condition.

We can’t make any claims about the functionality of any buttons, switches, dials, toggles, knobs or levers because we haven’t tried to start or drive the car.

The undersides have rust here and there but look to have a decent amount of structural integrity. Clearly, you’ll want to see for yourself.

Everything in the engine bay looks clean, dry and in its right and proper place.

This car doesn’t come with any history or comprehensive service records.

It must be registered in the country of your choice and you will need to contact the appropriate vehicle licensing agency for instructions on how to do this.

It does come with various tax discs and a copy of an old V5.

Like most of its previous occupants who were making their final journeys, this eccentric old thing has clearly lived a bit.

But we think there’s life in it yet – provided, of course, that the engine, electrics and mechanicals are amenable to recommissioning.

We’re confident to offer this car for auction with an estimate of £2,500 - £5,000.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; we are open weekdays 9am-5pm, to arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.