1953 Humber Pullman Limousine

Lot details
Registration No: GSK 731
Chassis No: A9200224HLO
Mot Expiry: Jan 2013

Humber's Pullman Limousine first saw the light of day in 1930 as the successor to the 20/65hp and a long wheelbase sibling to the Snipe. It survived its maker's takeover by the Rootes Group the following year and was steadily developed until the outbreak of WW2, during which it provided transport for Government ministers and senior members of the armed forces. The Pullman returned to public sale at the end of hostilities and continued in much the same form until the MKII version emerged during 1948. This was based on a longer chassis, and had a notably more contemporary suit of clothes featuring a shorter grille and faired-in headlamps. The MKIII variant of 1951 was still longer and was equipped with an all-synchromesh four-speed gearbox. The final iteration, the MKIV, was launched in 1953 but ousted from the range the following year, making it a rare model of which few are known to have survived. Power came from an OHV straight-six unit of 4139cc with a quoted output of 113bhp.

The right-hand drive MKIV Pullman offered is finished in Black and trimmed in Beige (front) and Black (rear). It was first registered on the island of Jersey in November 1953 as `J385' and didn't return to the mainland until 1991 when it acquired the current number - `GSK 731'. Photographs on file apparently show the Humber in use during Royal visits prior to the vendor's purchase some 17 years ago, since when it has been employed for family weddings, race meetings etc. The vendor these days views the stately Humber as having a "good" engine and column-change manual four-speed transmission and "sound" bodywork, but admits the paintwork, brightwork and trim "needs minor work". This charming survivor of a bygone era is being sold complete with large photographic file, service manual and MOT until the end of January 2013.