1934 Humber 12

1934 Humber Twelve Vogue. Early chrome grill version. Body shape designed in cooperation with Capt Molyneux a well known haute couture designer. Its Art Deco influenced design was ground breaking in the UK although similar (pillarless) bodies now known as fixed head coupé were already in production by the likes of Delage in France.

The ownership history of AXR451 prior to about 1960 is unknown. The registration mark was issued by London County Council on 5th March 1934 and according to the Rootes Archive Centre it was dispatched to Rootes London Ltd, Piccadilly. I have a photograph of the car in a car park outside Newport Town Hall (circa 1960) suggesting it was still in daily use although looking a bit ‘tired’. The owner before me bought the car in about 1975 and although mothballed for significant periods, he gradually restored it to the condition you see it in today. I bought it from his family following his death 2021 and recommissioned it after some time stored on blocks. Apart from routine service items, works completed by me include: remesh sump filter, rebuild and recalibrate distributor + convert to electronic ignition (Distributor Doctor), 5 new tyres and tubes (2022), rebuilt water pump to include lip seals (Blue Diamond Riley), Install battery cut off and phone charging, new exhaust manifold gasket, new carpets (Martrim), new brake linings and skimmed drums. I’ve driven it 1500 miles in total including some longish runs of circa 100 miles in a day.