Super Snipe is ripe for a swipe as a cool P5 alternative

Ionce had a conversation with Chris Evans on why the rotund Sixties Humber Super Snipe has always been a wallflower. We both agreed that they were unfairly unregarded, overshadowed by slinky Jags and ministerial Rover P5s, and to those who know were outrageous, ocean-going bargains. Chris had just bought a mint one, was loving the waft factor and telling everyone he met about the car’s party trick that cunningly concealed petrol filler cap.

Trouble is, a full restoration has always been a labour of love that never, ever involves the shrewd and humourless adding up of numbers on a calculator, so nice survivors are ultra-rare. The DVLA says there are fewer than 50 Super Snipes registered on its database and I’d guess that very few of those are either mint original or restored. Which is why

Bonhams’ very lovely dark blue 1964 Series IV, sold in December for £8437, caught my eye. For such a splendid condition Super Snipe with 45,000 miles, auto with power steering and previously retailed by the fanatically perfectionist Hurst Park, this seemed ridiculously cheap. Originally supplied new by coachbuilder Arthur Mulliner with a specially-fitted division, it had Lord Harris as a previous owner, so there was even a sprinkling of noble provenance too. Just out of 17-year ownership, it was one of those cars that makes siren calls to me because of its sheer old-fashioned value. I think we should watch these 1958 to 1967 Humbers, especially the later twin-headlamp, disc brake, automatic, 3.0-litre Super Snipes. And I totally get why Mr Evans has become a Super Snipe aficionado. I think I could be, too.

VALUE 2015 £6750 VALUE NOW £9500