Humber Snipe
| Company type | Public company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Founded | 1887 |
| Fate | Became part of Rootes Group in 1932; brand discontinued under Chrysler ownership |
| Headquarters | Coventry , United Kingdom |
| Products | Automobiles |
| Owner | Rootes Group (from 1932) |
The Humber Snipe was a luxury four-door saloon introduced by the British manufacturer Humber Limited in 1930, succeeding the Humber 20/55 hp model, which continued to be sold as the 20/65. It was launched alongside the related but longer Humber Pullman. The initial version appeared in September 1929, with marketing strategies shaped by William Rootes following Rootes Limited’s designation as Humber’s "World Exporters." In July 1932, Humber became part of what evolved into the Rootes Group through a financial reorganization.
Serving as the flagship owner-driven cars for the Rootes Group, the Snipe and its subsequent Super Snipe versions remained prominent until the brand was gradually discontinued under Chrysler ownership.
1930–1935: Snipe 80
From late 1932, the model was known as the Snipe 80 and was equipped with a 3498 cc six-cylinder engine featuring an 80 mm bore and 116 mm stroke. This engine utilized overhead inlet and side exhaust valves—a configuration that had been in use since the mid-1920s. It was fitted with a single Stromberg carburettor and a four-speed gearbox, initially operated via a right-hand gear lever, which was relocated to the centre in 1931 to facilitate left-hand drive versions. Cooling was managed by radiator shutters controlled by a thermostat. In 1933, an upgrade introduced overhead valves to the engine, increasing output by 5 bhp. Additionally, mechanical brakes supplied by Bendix were added.
The body design was traditionally boxy and conservative, offered in either four or six-light window configurations and featuring spare wheels mounted on the front wings. The rear doors were hinged at the back. Available options included fabric saloons (up to 1930), sports saloons, tourers, and drophead coupés, while bare chassis were also provided for coachbuilders. Prices in the UK during 1930 ranged from £410 for just the chassis to £565 for the coupé variant. With a wheelbase measuring 120 inches and an overall length of 173 inches, the Snipe was larger and more spacious than common family vehicles such as the Hillman Minx—Hillman having been acquired by Humber in 1928. The model’s commercial success highlighted Humber’s ability to compete effectively in the large car market.
Small revisions made in 1933 included relocating windscreen wipers, recessing direction indicators, and introducing two-tone paint schemes on the sports saloon. That year saw production reach 1,205 units.
In 1931, a fleet of Snipes was employed by the Prince of Wales during his tour of the West Indies.
The Snipe shared its chassis and body shell with smaller-engined variants: the 16-50 (produced from 1930 to 1932) and the 16-60 (from 1933).
1936–1937
In 1936, the wheelbase was extended from to , resulting in an increase in overall length by . The updated chassis incorporated independent front suspension using a transverse spring alongside a vacuum-assisted braking system. Body styles offered included four-light and six-light saloons, sports saloons, and drophead coupés. Power came from a side-valve six-cylinder engine displacing 4086 cc and delivering 100 hp; this engine later powered the post-war Super Snipe model. The car could reach a top speed of . Production during this period totaled 2,652 units. The same chassis and body designs were also utilized for the smaller-engined Humber 18.
1938–1940
In 1938, the Snipe was equipped with its smallest engine yet—a 3180 cc six-cylinder side-valve unit—alongside a shortened wheelbase of , while its overall length remained at , attributed to a sleeker body design shared with the Hillman 14. Engine power decreased to , enabling a maximum speed of . The 1939 model introduced enhancements such as a newly cross-braced chassis and hydraulic braking systems. Meanwhile, the Humber Pullman continued to use the larger 4086-cc powerplant, marking a clear distinction between the two models. That year, production totaled 2,706 vehicles.
1940–1945
Civilian vehicle manufacturing halted in 1940 as the company redirected efforts toward producing military vehicles, most notably the Humber Light Reconnaissance Car—commonly known as the 'Ironside' or 'Humberette'. Pre-war Humber saloon designs were maintained for government service. The militarized Super Snipe received modifications including raised ground clearance, a broadened front track measuring 5 ft 1 inch, and fitted with low-pressure 9x13 Dunlop tires; an open tourer variant was also developed for desert deployment.
Additionally, Humber manufactured a "heavy utility" 2 ton 7 cwt 4x4 staff car, similar in role to the Ford WOT2, incorporating components such as the 4-litre engine. This vehicle could achieve speeds of on roads using two-wheel drive and switch to four-wheel drive for off-road travel reaching up to . Produced in multiple configurations—including staff officer transport, ambulances, and 8-cwt General Service trucks—approximately 6,500 units were completed by the end of 1945.
1945–1948
Towards the end of 1945, Humber unveiled its post-war range, which closely resembled pre-war models. The lineup consisted of four vehicles headed by the top-tier Humber Pullman. The remaining three models featured smaller bodies but upheld Humber’s reputation for value: these were the four-cylinder Humber Hawk and the six-cylinder Humber Snipe and Humber Super Snipe.
The 1945 Snipe was powered by a 2731 cc side-valve six-cylinder engine derived from the 1935 Humber 18, producing 65 hp and capable of reaching . For customers desiring enhanced performance, an option was available to equip the Snipe with a 4086-cc engine delivering 100 hp—the same engine standard in the 1945 Humber Pullman—and marketed under the name Humber Super Snipe. The Snipe was discontinued in the 1948 update, leaving only the Hawk, Super Snipe, and Pullman in production.
Production numbers for this period amounted to 1,240 units.
Humber catalogue entry for 1930
"Such Cars As Even Humber Never Built Before"
| Humber | "Snipe" Touring Car | £495 |
| Humber | "Snipe" Six-Light Weymann Saloon | £535 |
| Humber | "Snipe" Saloon | £535 |
| Humber | "Snipe" Four-Door Weymann Coupé | £545 |
| Humber | "Snipe" Drop-Head Coupé | £565 |
| Humber | "Pullman" Landaulette | £775 |
| Humber | "Pullman" Limousine | £775 |
| Humber | Cabriolet de Ville | £1,095 |
| (Coachwork by Thrupp & Maberly) |