For sale: Car that steered King to a secret romance

A VINTAGE Humber car which was used by King Edward VIII to secretly romance American socialite Wallis Simpson is set to fetch £ 40,000 at auction.

The classic motor is believed to have been used by the pair to travel around London away from prying eyes during their controversial relationship more than 80 years ago.

Mrs Simpson won the heart of the future King after they met at a fox- hunting weekend in 1931.

Edward left the throne behind to marry Mrs Simpson in June 1937 even though she did not win the approval of the Church and the public due to her status as a divorcee.

Now, the 1933 Humber Snipe used to help the burgeoning romance blossom is set to he sold this week with an estimate of £ 20,000 to £ 40,000.

Mrs Simpson is believed to have covertly travelled around in the vehicle with her beau, which has a small back window “perfect for privacy”.

It belongs to Allan Marshall, 64, from Hull, who is now auctioning off his remarkable motors collected over 60 years due to spiralling maintenance and storage costs.

He said: “I was told the car had been used by Edward and Mrs

Simpson because it was perfect for privacy. Thanks to its small back window you couldn’t see who was inside.” Edward’s affair with the twicedivorced American led to such grave concerns in British government the couple were followed by the Metropolitan Police Special Branch.

When King George V died in 1936, Edward ascended the throne as King Edward VIII – but his reign was short.

His plan to marry Wallis caused a constitutional crisis that led to his abdication that same year. The Royal car will be sold at Hansons Auctioneers in Etwall, Derbyshire, together with 15 more vintage Humbers on Sunday.

Mr Marshal, inset, a retired potato merchant, is parting with his vehicles after welcoming visitors from all over the world to see his unrivalled fleet of vehicles.

The occasional celebrity dropped by, too – including Jools Holland, Stirling Moss and Michael Aspel. Mr Marshall added: “I don’t really want to let them go, they’re so special to me. It’s taken me decades to build up the best collection of Humber vehicles in the world.”

Humbers gained admiration for quality and reliability.