*UNDER OFFER*
1904 Humber 10/12HP Twin Cylinder - VCC Dated
Registration No. TBC
Engine No. 212
Chassis No. 3047
VCC Dating Certificate No. 1117 (1954)
£99950 GBP
Having been founded in 1868 as a Bicycle maker, Humber later became part of Harry Lawson’s British Motor Syndicate. It was from this source that the company purchased the designs and rights to a number of obscure and unlikely functional automobiles. Humber freed itself from Lawson and associates in 1890s and reinvented itself with its first production motor car in 1900. This was in the form of the unconventional M D Voiturette which featured front wheel drive and rear wheel steering. A more conventional range of the ever popular De-Dion Bouton powered light cars soon followed which was notable for its shaft drive, in an era where chains set the precedent.
First advertised in the summer of 1904, the 10/12HP Humber was different when compared to preceding models on account of its larger wheelbase (growing from 6ft 4 inch’s to 7ft 6 inch’s’, bigger carburettor and change of ignition levers. The tried and tested tubular chassis was retained. Capable of achieving speeds of 40mph on level ground, the Autocar magazine summarised it with the following in 1904 - ‘the speed, comfort at speed and hill climbing power of this car is quite astonishing’.
This example shown here today is a perfect example of the 10/12HP Humber and is one of only two that are eligible for the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run, whilst also being the oldest to survive. Built in the summer of 1904 and registered new in Oxfordshire in December of that year, the prewar history of this car is vastly unknown. It did however come to the attention of the Veteran Car Club of Great Britain in 1954 when it was put forward for dating by Mr Alan Osborne of Swindon. The car was co-owned by Roger T Osborne and Sonia Gillian Clark of Banbury and while in their custodianship the car was extensively campaigned in numerous events including London to Brighton and Vintage Sports Car Club driving tests.
At the start of 1984 the number passed to its next keepers in Leicester who continued to use the car for the next 40 years, entering and completing the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run on dozens of occasions. Recent works to the car have included a thorough service of the engine and valves, tuning of the carburettor and general check over. Starting well on the handle, the car is offered for sale and would make an excellent London to Brighton vehicle for a new keeper. It should also be noted that the car is perfect for the addition of a rear tonneau which would give additional seating for passengers, something that it’s 10/12HP power output would no doubt comfortably cope with.
