Built by dropping the big Pullman's four-litre six into the smaller Snipe's chassis — the mashup hit 79 mph, properly quick for 1938.
Median 70 hp across 83 similar cars
Lead trim: Super Snipe 4.1 side-valve six (100 bhp)
Humber Super Snipe1938–1940
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Nobody in Burbles has spotted a Humber Super Snipe 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.
FactBuilt by dropping the big Pullman's four-litre six into the smaller Snipe's chassis — the mashup hit 79 mph, properly quick for 1938.
The Humber Super Snipe was introduced in October 1938, derived by combining the four-litre inline six-cylinder engine from the larger Humber Pullman with the chassis and body of the Humber Snipe, normally powered by a three-litre engine (about 1,500 made). The result was a car of enhanced performance with a top speed of 79 mph, fast for its day; its design was contributed to by Delmar "Barney" Roos, who left Studebaker to join Rootes in 1936. It was marketed to upper-middle-class managers, professional people and government officials, relatively low-priced for its size and performance and similar to American cars in appearance and concept. A sports saloon and a drophead coupé were also built, and within a year of introduction the car continued in production as a British military staff car ("Car, 4-seater, 4x2"), while the same chassis was used for the Humber Light Reconnaissance Car.
Collectors Spotted in the Humber Super Snipe Lineage
No member has published a public street spot of the Humber Super Snipe 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Super Snipe 4.1 side-valve six (100 bhp) | 1938–1940 | 4.1 L Inline-6 | 100 hp | — | — | — | — | — |
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 Series III Super Snipe quietly made British motoring history — it was the first British car built with two pairs of headlights.
Just after launch, a Super Snipe was driven from Oslo to Lisbon through fifteen countries in under four days, with Stirling Moss behind the wheel for part of the run.
The postwar Super Snipe's independent front suspension wasn't new even in 1948 — it dated back to 1935, carried over with almost twice the leaf springs.
Built by dropping the big Pullman's four-litre six into the smaller Snipe's chassis — the mashup hit 79 mph, properly quick for 1938.
Rivals
Same body, same money, other badges — tap any card to flip.
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