It’s hard to believe, but less than a week after featuring a 1963 Humber Sceptre 1, we now have found a 1967 Sceptre 2 lock-up find for sale here on eBay. Not surprisingly, both the 1963 and 1967 cars appear to be offered by the same seller. This one does not list a specific UK location, but the other one was in Bloxham. Current no-reserve bidding is up to 2,400 pounds ($2,905 as of this afternoon).
As with most Rootes Group cars at the time, the Humber shared many components with Sunbeam, Singer & Hillman cars, and even Commer vans. The Sceptre 2 was really a dressed-up Hillman Super Minx, complete with the same 101-inch wheelbase, 165-inch length, and the ubiquitous 1,725-cc four-cylinder engine making 69-1/2 horsepower and 91-1/2 foot-pounds of torque. You mustn’t forget those 1/2s! The styling was firmly pegged in the late 1950s, and it seems that the Rootes group at that point was just waiting for someone larger to take them over (as Jim noted last week, it was Chrysler in 1967).
Note the full-length Webasto sunroof! The seller tells us a similar story to the other Sceptre–the car was his father’s and hasn’t been started in five years (when it was moved from one storage garage to another one) It has been stored for the last seven or eight years in total. While the paint appears tired, it’s quite possible that a good polish would bring it back to a decent shine in most areas. The seller also notes that the chrome is starting to show its age.
I’m not sure whether these spots on the hood are rust or dirt–hopefully the latter! The seller also states that the body and floors are “solid” and that all glass is good.
One item of note is that the seller states that the current gearbox inhibitor switch is faulty; in its past running days, the car would start in any gear! A replacement switch is included. The high bidder will also need to figure out why some ducting is on the passenger-side floor rather than in place, and I’m sure many of the hydraulics will need work after storage.
The seller points out that this tear on the back of the front seat is the only real issue with the upholstery. I’m thinking careful removal of the cover and replacement of this single panel would be the way to go–of course, matching the color will be the hardest part. Would you consider this understated slice of British mid-level luxury? Or would you really rather have a Buick (Humber has been called the “British Buick” more than once)? Let us know in the comments!
Nice car, but it’s no “Super Snipe”
My next door neighbor had a Hillman from the early 60s, and those taillights look a lot similar.
The blue car in the ad reminds me a bit of a Studebaker Lark, mainly from the rear door and quarter panel, and around the back glass.
Rambler especially. 60-61, even 62.
To the owner who brought it if you would like to know more feel free to contact my dad he used to be the owner previous to the next owner
I think those are dead bugs on the hood.
Age spots
Not weird to find two Sceptres in a matter of days if your search now extends to UK! I like these, of no value to US collector but UK Buick tag is appropriate.
I find red Webasto roof unusual. A brave choice in 1960s UK suburbia…
These cars had very similar mechanical components to the Hillman that won the London to Sydney Marathon in the early 1960s
It was the Hillman Hunter that won the London to Sydney marathon in 1968. Very different car that was sold as the Sunbeam Arrow in the US. The Humber Version was also called the Sceptre and was very nice Those were good cars, most Rootes Group cars were more reliable than their BMC and Triumph rivals, more like British Fords.