The Series III Super Snipe quietly made British motoring history — it was the first British car built with two pairs of headlights.
Median 101 hp across 414 similar cars
Lead trim: Super Snipe Series I 2.6 OHV six (112 bhp) · up to 137.5 hp
Humber Super Snipe Series I to V1958–1967
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Nobody in Burbles has spotted a Humber Super Snipe Series I to V 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 Series III Super Snipe quietly made British motoring history — it was the first British car built with two pairs of headlights.
In October 1958 a new Super Snipe was introduced at the Paris Salon de l'Automobile, based on the unitized chassis and body of the four-cylinder Humber Hawk but with a new 2.6-litre six-cylinder overhead-valve engine based on an Armstrong Siddeley design; confusingly the designation returned to Super Snipe I, with variants now identified by series number. The Series I (6,072 made) produced 112 bhp at 5000 rpm through a three-speed manual with optional Laycock de Normanville overdrive or Borg Warner DG automatic, with power steering optional and a touring limousine with glass partition. The Series II (October 1959, 7,175) enlarged the engine to 2,965 cc for 129 bhp at 4800 rpm, with a new Zenith carburettor, Girling 11.5 in front discs and 11 in rear drums; a Series II with overdrive and power steering tested by The Motor in 1960 had a top speed of 94.7 mph and reached 0–60 mph in 16.5 seconds. The Series III (October 1960, 7,257) was distinguished by four headlights (the first British car to fit two pairs), a lengthened nose to allow air conditioning as an option, and improved bearings and cooling; the Series IV (October 1962, 6,495) rated the engine at 132.5 bhp with a higher rear axle ratio, a Borg and Beck diaphragm clutch and a tank enlarged from 12.5 to 16 gallons; and the final Series V (October 1964, 3,032) had an upper body restyle with a flat roofline, twin Zenith Stromberg 175CD carburettors and a Harry Weslake tuned head for 137.5 bhp, synchromesh on all ratios, and optional Hydrosteer power steering or Borg Warner Type 35 automatic (Series Va). The related Humber Imperial (late 1964) added a vinyl roof, fully reclining front seats, automatic transmission and Hydrosteer as standard. Production ended in July 1967 under Chrysler control.
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
5 published trims in the catalogue. A blank is a figure not recorded, not zero.
| Trim | Years | Engine | Power | Torque | 0–60 | Drive | Gearbox | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Super Snipe Series I 2.6 OHV six (112 bhp) | 1958–1959 | 2.7 L Inline-6 | 112 hp | — | — | — | — | — |
| Super Snipe Series II 3.0 OHV six (129 bhp) | 1959–1960 | 3.0 L Inline-6 | 129 hp | — | 16.5 s | — | — | — |
| Super Snipe Series III 3.0 OHV six | 1960–1962 | 3.0 L Inline-6 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Super Snipe Series IV 3.0 OHV six (132.5 bhp) | 1962–1964 | 3.0 L Inline-6 | 132.5 hp | — | — | — | — | — |
| Super Snipe Series V 3.0 OHV six (137.5 bhp) | 1964–1967 | 3.0 L Inline-6 | 137.5 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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