1938 Humber Snipe Imperial

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. For example, if the car sells for £5,000, then £250 is added, making the total amount payable of £5,250. A company buying the car will have to pay duty + VAT as well as VAT on the hammer.

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 £250 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.

We have not started or driven the car so cannot vouch for its mechanical viability or functionality. It will require recommissioning prior to road use and is sold ‘as seen’.

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, the car comes with very little history and no service records.

With the proviso that we haven’t tried to start or drive this car and can therefore only attest to its cosmetic condition, we think this 1938 Humber Snipe Imperial Sports Saloon is a good example of a grand pre-war coach-built luxury vehicle from a much-loved marque.

We know that the car was first registered new in the UK on 20.4.38.

We know that the chassis number is 6001223 and the engine number 6001236.

We know that, today, the odometer reads 10,317 miles.

We know that when it was last in the UK it was living somewhere in or around Rochdale in Lancashire.

We have the following auction listing excerpts from the 2001 H&H auction of this car.

‘This particular example has the Thrupp & Maberly bodywork…The present owner has kept it for the last fourteen years and during that time it has been largely rebuilt but, unfortunately, he has completed very few miles in it. It is described as being in good condition throughout…’

We know that it was bought for the vendor’s collection of static display vehicles in 2002.

In general, and from a few yards, this car presents very well.

The bodywork is true, the panels are straight, and there are no dinks, dents, creases or folds of any real significance to report.

All shut lines and door gaps are consistent and even, save for the front passenger door, which is a little reluctant to open or close and only does so when encouraged.

The two-tone black and white paintwork is fairly good, in the main, although there are one or two issues.

There are some scuffs on the front wheel arches which would appear to have been made by the engine cover.

There are a few cracks and a bit of crazing to the paint on the front of the bonnet, some flat spots to the paint on the roof, and a few scratches on the boot lid.

The paintwork on the n/s/f wing has a rather orange peel-like texture and appearance in places.

At some point it has been decided to remove the sunroof and replace it with a permanently sealed metal panel.

The Snipe mascot is missing but not lost – it is in the passenger’s glove compartment.

The chrome on the magnificent grille and headlights is fine.

The wheels appear to be in reasonable condition, although they are showing a few rusty streaks here and there.

The external rubber trim is good in some places, but cracked and perished in others.

Both running boards have seen better days and there is clearly some corrosion in and under them.

The interior condition mirrors that of its exterior counterpart, at least to the extent that there’s work to do but it’s by no means an insurmountable challenge.

One thing that will need addressing is the condition of the leather upholstery on the front seats. It is ripped and holed in various places.

The rear seats have survived more or less intact but are very creased and grubby.

The carpets and mats seem to have weathered the passage of time with some success. So, too, the door cards, which are in need of some TLC but not much more.

The headlining is ripped and frayed at the rear.

Some of the lacquer has come away from the wood on the dashboard and door cappings.

Various bits of interior fabric trim are frayed, loose or missing.

The instruments, gear lever and steering wheel are very much of their era and seem to be in acceptable condition.

We can’t make any claims about the functionality of switches, knobs, levers, toggles, buttons, dials or other electrics as we haven’t tried to start the vehicle.

As expected, the undersides of the running boards are showing some rust dust and flaking.

Everything else we can see looks to have a decent amount of structural integrity.

Clearly, you’ll want to see for yourself.

The engine and engine bay look fine and everything appears to be in its right and proper place.

The car doesn’t come with a service history or any record of work done.

Currently, this car has neither an MoT certificate nor a V5. 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. Any paperwork shown in the gallery is a facsimile and in no way constitutes any kind of licensing or registration certification.

If you’d like to inspect the car prior to placing a bid – something we would encourage – then please use the Contact Seller button to arrange an appointment.

We haven’t tried to start or drive the car so our understanding of it is somewhat limited.

That said, provided the car’s engine and mechanicals prove to be in proper working order and amenable to recommissioning, we think this 1938 Thrupp & Maberly-bodied Humber Snipe Imperial Sports Saloon fully deserves to be restored to its former glory by an enthusiast with the time and passion and do the car justice.

We’re confident to offer this car for auction with an estimate of £5,000 - £10,000, plus Bonhams bond payment and £250 NOVA fee.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; to arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing.