Humber Hawk
| Company type | Car model |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Predecessor | Hillman 14 (rebranded) |
| Founded | 1938 |
| Founder | Humber |
| Defunct | 1967 |
| Fate | Production ended, replaced by imports in segment |
| Successor | None specified |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom |
Area served | United Kingdom, export markets |
| Products | Automobiles (large family cars with estate versions) |
| Owner | Rootes Group |
| Parent | Rootes Group |
Humber Hawk Mk I & II
The Hawk, essentially a rebranded Hillman 14 produced between 1938 and 1940, marked Humber’s initial post-war offering. It featured a narrower body devoid of running boards and a lengthened bootlid, resulting in a weight reduction compared to the pre-war model.
Equipped with a 56 bhp engine shared with the Sunbeam-Talbot 90, power was delivered to a live rear axle via a four-speed manual gearbox with a centrally positioned floor-mounted shifter. The four-door six-light body rested on a separate chassis and came standard with a sunshine roof. Front suspension utilized an independent transverse leaf spring, while the rear employed half-elliptic springs.
The Mark II revision in September 1947 maintained the original exterior styling but introduced a column-mounted gear lever featuring a control ring to safeguard the synchromesh. Enhancements included an improved engine water jacket, a petrol tank breather designed to eliminate air-locks, and radio provision with a retractable aerial.
The vehicle’s maximum speed was approximately .
Humber Hawk Mark III to V
- Mark III
Debuting at the 1948 London Motor Show, the Mark III Hawk showcased a new body crafted by the Loewy Studio alongside a new chassis incorporating coil-sprung independent front suspension. It retained the 1944 cc side-valve engine rated at 56 bhp and continued with the four-speed manual transmission. The design integrated headlights and front wings into the bodywork, eliminating separate units. The rear axle featured hypoid gearing. The lighter, flush-sided body enhanced interior space, increasing front bench seat width by 3 inches and rear seat width by 5 inches, despite slightly reduced overall dimensions.
- Mark IV
The Mark IV, launched in early 1951, upgraded to a 2267 cc engine fitted with an aluminium cylinder head, raising output to 58 bhp and offering roughly 15% more mid-range torque. It rode on larger 15-inch wheels and benefited from improved steering noted for its lightness even with substantial front axle weight. A 1951 road test recorded a top speed of 71.4 mph, acceleration from 0 to 60 mph in 30 seconds, fuel economy of 24.2 mpg (imperial), and a price tag of £850 inclusive of taxes.
- Mark V
Released in September 1952, the Mark V incorporated mechanical improvements such as an enlarged clutch, reinforced body-frame structure, and bigger rear shock absorbers. Its front styling was refreshed with a lowered bonnet line and wrap-around bumpers featuring over-riders. Additionally, this version was available as an upscale touring limousine variant.
Humber Hawk Mark VI and VIA
The Mk VI arrived in June 1954 featuring an overhead-valve cylinder head and a marginally lengthened body. In 1955, an estate version with a fold-down tailgate broadened the model lineup.
April 1956 saw the introduction of the Mk VIA which added subtle interior refinements along with a deluxe trim option.
A successor boasting increased power and an entirely new body style was announced in May 1957.
- Road test
The Times highlighted that the Mk VI’s engine output was increased by approximately 20%, allowing effortless cruising at speeds around 70 mph. Cold starting showed improvement though remained somewhat inconsistent. Brake lining area was expanded by 40% compared to the Mark V. Some cornering handling concerns were reported, along with criticism regarding the placement of the driver’s windscreen wiper.
In a 1956 evaluation of the Mk VI estate equipped with overdrive by The Motor, top speed was recorded at , acceleration from standstill to took 25.2 seconds, and fuel consumption measured . The vehicle’s cost stood at £1405 including taxes.
Humber Hawk Series I to IVA
Debuting in May 1957, this iteration showcased an entirely redesigned unitary body, which it shared with the 1958 Humber Super Snipe. It was notable for its generous interior space and marked the first time a factory-produced estate version was available. This estate featured the largest single-piece bodyshell of any British automobile until 1961. The existing 2267 cc engine was retained with slight modifications, while an automatic Borg Warner D.G. transmission option was introduced. The design highlighted expanded glazing, including a wrap-around front windshield reminiscent of the basic model 1955 Chevrolet sedan. Estate variants incorporated a horizontally divided tailgate and a hidden fuel filler located behind the rear reflector.
Several series enhancements were implemented over time:
- Series I A (1959): updated gear ratios and refined interior trim.
- Series II (1960): added servo-assisted front disc brakes; automatic transmission option removed for domestic market.
- Series III (1962): featured an enlarged fuel tank and bigger rear window; automatic transmission no longer offered for export models.
- Series IV (1964): introduced a flatter roofline, reduced rear window size supplemented by an additional side window, synchromesh on first gear, and a rear anti-roll bar.
- Series IVA (1965): brought back the automatic transmission option using the Borg Warner Model 35.
A Series I model without overdrive was tested by The Motor in 1957, recording a top speed of , accelerating from 0- in 19.7 seconds, and achieving fuel consumption of mpg imperial; it was priced at £1261 including taxes.
Production concluded in March 1967 as Rootes redirected efforts toward higher-volume market segments. Following this, the Hawk’s segment—large family cars with estate versions—was increasingly filled by imports such as the Volvo 145, which entered the UK market in 1968.
Scale models
- Meccano Dinky Toys No. 165 (1959–63), Series 1 Hawk, approximately O scale (1:44).
- Meccano Dinky Toys No. 256 (1960–64), Series 1 Hawk Police car, approximately O scale (1:44).
External links
- Post Vintage Humber Car Club
- Humber Enthusiasts Group of New South Wales, featuring scanned brochures.
- Additional brochures .