Description
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1965 Humber Sceptre MKI 1600 OHV Manual with Overdrive.
Being sold from my private collection of Continental and Classic cars, as I have ultimately made the decision to sell off my entire collection inventory, including my lovely Humber Sceptre.
The 1960’s was a glorious time in the history of the British motoring industry, Britain was producing some of Europe’s finest cars, The Rootes Group was an innovative and pioneering firm in this blossoming period of automotive design.
Rootes, head quartered in Coventry, were well regarded as makers of fine quality sports cars, such as the Sunbeam Rapier and Alpine, and for the Queens choice, The Humber Super Snipe.
However, times were changing fast in the British consumer market, Lord Rootes felt that the now long-lived Rapier needed a replacement, a sports sedan, with Rootes’ Monte Carlo Rally heritage built in.
His team of designers and engineers set out to design the new Sunbeam Sceptre, a sporting sedan shaped in true the Rootes tradition.
After initially giving the new Sunbeam the green light, Lord Rootes reneged, he felt the car would be better suited in the more upmarket Humber brand. Thus, the Humber Sceptre was born.
The subject car, the Humber Sceptre MKI, from the first series of cars, shipped as CKD to South Africa, remains in a beautiful and unrestored condition. Originally purchased by a Mr McMahon of Pinetown, a town in the interior of the Natal Province of South Africa.
Mr McMahon managed to retain the Humber in a total dry and rot free state of preserve, it is a car that had lived a sheltered life and clearly was well maintained, loved, and cherished by its former keeper.
I was fortunate enough to come across the Humber via a family friend of Mr McMahons daughter, and I immediately sought to purchase the Humber from her, as it was the missing model from my Rootes car collection.
I was immediately taken by the lovely Humber, never had I seen such a glorious colour combination on any other car. The Sage and Mint Green was to my mind incredibly flattering of the Raymond Loewy inspired design, complemented by an equally stylish interior cabin finished in a similar hue of mixed greens.
The almost sculpted dashboard and fascia, with a multitude of gauges, confirming the cars vitals to the driver, paired with the large rimmed steering wheel just round of an impressive interior design. The Sceptre’s cabin is just a marvellous place to be.
Sitting behind the wheel of the Humber, you are transported back in time, to an era of courteous and gentlemanly drivers. Truly on point with the 1960’s being the high days of the British Motor Industry.
On the road, the Sceptre is an extremely well-mannered vehicle, it exudes a special presence and feel. The Sceptre is no slouch, the intended sporting credentials ensure that the 1600 is an eager mill, smoothly delivering a nice amount of power, flick the overdrive on in top gear and the Humber becomes a relaxed cruiser, capable of trans continental touring, just as Lord Rootes had planned.
The steering is remarkably light and remains precise at speed, the suspension is comfortable, yet firm, truly a well-designed setup.
Coming from the Natal Midlands, the Humber has survived as a rust and rot free car. South Africa has a mild and temperate climate, with dry and unsalted roads. The Sceptre is an original and unrestored car, the beneficiary of long-term ownership and preservation.
Always garaged and dry stored, the Humbers paintwork has an almost pearlescent like lustre to it, it is original and deep. The brightwork is still in glorious condition, as are the wheel rims and trimmings, light lenses, and all glass panels.
The interior of the Sceptre is to my opinion one of its best features, it is amazingly well preserved and all gauges and switch gear function as intended, very modern for 1965.
The boot area is equally impressive, with all emergency and hazard equipment in its place. In the past months the Humber has benefitted from extensive maintenance work.
• Full fuel system cleanse.
• Carburettor rebuild.
• Major service.
• Full tune up.
• Cooling system flush and replenish.
Being an unrestored car, the Sceptre maintains an air of originality that restored vehicles so often lose, in short, it is just right.
In a fast-paced modern world, I have found stepping back in time and enjoying a car as good as the Humber as being good for the soul, they truly do not make them like this anymore.
Rootes cars have of late gathered a new and exiting following, the UK has numerous specialist clubs like the Post Vintage Humber Car Club, ensuring many exquisite events await the Sceptres fortunate custodian. Parts and mechanical care are also well catered for by enthusiastic specialist service providers.
Buying a Humber makes sense, step in to proper thoroughbred British made classic car ownership at a more than reasonable price tag.
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