The Sceptre was designed to replace the Sunbeam Rapier, but it launched under a different badge entirely — and the car it was meant to succeed kept selling for years after.
Median 100 hp across 220 similar cars
Lead trim: Sceptre Mk I 1.6 (1592 cc, 80 bhp)
Humber Sceptre Mk I and IA1963–1965
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Nobody in Burbles has spotted a Humber Sceptre Mk I and IA yet. See one on the street, point the app at it, and the first card is yours — with your @handle permanently credited on this page.
FactThe Sceptre was designed to replace the Sunbeam Rapier, but it launched under a different badge entirely — and the car it was meant to succeed kept selling for years after.
The Humber Sceptre Mk I, introduced in 1963, was a luxury car based on the Hillman Super Minx, with a unique roof, glass and upper and rear bodywork not shared with the Super Minx or the related Singer Vogue. It was originally intended as a four-door replacement for the Sunbeam Rapier, but was launched as a Humber, while the Rapier continued with little modification until 1967, which resulted in a more sporty character than traditional Humbers; it sat at the top of the mid-range Rootes Group cars above the Hillman Super Minx and Singer Vogue. Twin-headlight styling similar to the Vogue went with a more powerful 80 bhp version of the 1,592 cc Minx engine, and the high level of equipment included disc front brakes, overdrive, screen washers, reversing lamp, rev counter and a full range of instruments; automatic transmission was made available later. A Mk IA followed in 1964. Production of the Mk I and IA totalled 17,011 units.
Collectors Spotted in the Humber Sceptre Lineage
No member has published a public street spot of the Humber Sceptre yet — the First · Worldwide stamp is wide open.
Trims & Figures
One published trim in the catalogue. A blank is a figure not recorded, not zero.
| Trim | Years | Engine | Power | Torque | 0–60 | Drive | Gearbox | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sceptre Mk I 1.6 (1592 cc, 80 bhp) | 1963–1965 | 1.6 L Inline-4 | 80 hp | — | — | RWD | — | — |
Owning one
We don’t estimate running costs for a car like this. What it costs depends on its condition, its specialist and how it is driven, and an average would mislead.
Owners’ builds
Nobody has claimed one yet.
Photographs
The 1974 Sceptre estate carried a detail almost no British wagon of its day bothered with: its own washer and wiper for the rear window.
The Sceptre was built to replace the Sunbeam Rapier as a four-door — but Rootes launched it under the Humber badge instead, while the Rapier it was meant to retire kept selling for years anyway.
The Sceptre was designed to replace the Sunbeam Rapier, but it launched under a different badge entirely — and the car it was meant to succeed kept selling for years after.
Rivals
Same body, same money, other badges — tap any card to flip.
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