By popular demand, I have now set up a Patreon page! If you enjoy my videos, then please do consider supporting Twin-Cam with a donation. www.patreon.com/twincam

I worked part time at a petrol station as a teenager. A Humber pulled in and the guy told me to fill it up while he used the loo. I pulled the reflector to one side and thought, "He's missing a petrol cap, I'll sell him a plastic one."The owner came out of the loo and started screaming at me to stop. Who knew the tail lights were interchangeable left to right. That's when the petrol started dribbling out of the boot. I got the sack, go figure.

For a young whippersnapper you’re doing an outstanding job dude. Well researched and entertaining without being over the top and fake like some other channels. Keep it up 👍

I'm 58 Twin Cam and I love your videos. The best part? You have none of that absolutely unnecessary and jarring background music which seems to be such an obsession with other video makers. Keep up the brilliant work.

My Dad had the Humber Super Snipe Estate, it was the most comfortable car I have ever driven. Although it was a two ton car, it was very fast and the exhaust sound was absolutely terrific. It was a car that I always drove quite slowly, it felt like I was sitting on a couch , I loved it.

I took and failed my driving test 3 times in Humber Hawk, the 3-point turn becoming a 7-point turn with bursting biceps, I passed in an Austin A40.

"All the murderers drove Jag's." That's a classic line all on it's own - never mind this beautiful car! Yet another excellent, informative video on British cars Ed. You are fast becoming a credit to Our Nation.

As a former regional newspaper road tester, erstwhile international rally driver and committed petrolhead, I am impressed by the research and slick presentation delivered with youthful enthusiasm using basic equipment. So from this 76 year-old I hope your degree goes/went well, and that you continue to progress your ambitions in the car industry in which you deserved success. Tony

Excellent. Brilliant and natural. A rare combination. Thanks, John (Australia)

My Grandfather had one in 66 - I was 6 & can still smell those leather seats!

Superb condition. I can virtually smell the wood and leather. You should be on TV with your standout research and natural presenting skills. It's great to discover that there is a club for a large number young people who are into classic cars.

What a beautiful car. Thanks for posting it. I live in the U.S.A. and worked for years in auto parts stores. My father owned the first store so I grew up around cars yet never heard of this one. Now I want one. It's just my style.

Great video thanks , The first time I borrowed my brother's Humber I was stuck at the petrol station for about 15mins until someone came along and showed me where the filler cap was.

Two tone paint jobs need a revival. You seem so comfortable in front of camera here. This video seems like a step up from others. Really enjoyed it.

Keep doing what you do mate! Even though I’m from the US and have never seen (or heard of) a Humber, You’ve presented it so well with so much personality

What an excellent video, you brought me back to nostalgic memory lane. I was born and bred in a West African country that was under British rule hence Humbers where a pretty common sight among dignitaries, bankers and CEOs. My Grandfather had a few over time and I remember that opulent feel and smell of the leather seats and wood. The comfort, the luxury and space levels in Humbers were something and as kids looked spacious enough for us to play inside as well. It does sadden a lot not to see anymore these marvelous pieces of British engineering, but at least you did revive a moment of unforgettable glory, thank you ever so much Ed.

I can only join the chorus of praise & say that this video is excellent in every respect. Humber did have one famous upper class customer: Winston Churchill. He used government Humber Pullmans during WWII & bought one for himself when he left office in 1945. He continued buying Humbers in the '50's. Historian Richard Langworth has written several articles about Churchill's cars, if you are interested. Keep up the good work!

"Murderers drove Jags"... Best line said with a straight face, loved it.

Well presented.

My father had several Humber Hawks. It was his favored car in the 1960’s. I remember them still, though I was only a small child at the time. Thanks for posting this.

Out of all the car's Ive ever seen you talk about young man this is the holy grail as i had one many years ago . Proper British car built like a tank comfortable as a RR top motor 😁😁🤘🤘

I throughly enjoy your presentation on this automobile. I am from the US, and I have never heard of this type before. Thank you for bringing the history to the rest of us. I learned a lot. I wish you great success with this channel.

Rootes cars were well made, dependable motor vehicles. Humbers sold in reasonable numbers here in Australia, a popular model with wealthy farmers and bank managers. The six cylinder Super Snipe was more suited to our vast distances than the four cylinder Hawk, however. The American influence was via the Raymond Loewy design studios with whom Rootes consulted during the 1950s and, I believe, into the early 1960s. Thanks for a fine review of what must be, in 2021, quite a rare machine.

My Dad had a 2 tone blue Hawk 1962, I can still remember the reg number 737 WPD the Hawk was the only car my dad ever looked after properly, he had it for about 8 yrs before being written off. And then he had a Rover 2000, it never got the same attention as the Hawk though.

!968 dad got a Hawk estate, we used to go to 'Cowboy City' now 'Flamingoland' on the east coast, pulling a Sprite Major Caravan, the entire set up was enormous & we travelled thousands of miles in it, including the dreaded 'Sutton Bank' Dad told us years later that it was a Cut & Shut, built from what remained of the undamaged parts of a front end Right Off & a Rear End Right Off.

I got a ride home from the college I attended by a young lady lecturer in a Super Snipe back in 1972. I'm still not sure which one I fell for the most...

Ed, another brilliantly researched episode. A fine piece of writing and engaging delivery. I can't wait to see which car you select next.

My Grandad, Dad and myself worked at Ryton & Stoke form the war until it's closure (not all at same time!!). Grandad had a Humber Super Snipe. Have many fond memories including my Dad getting the "ton up" (100mph indicated). When you showed the view of the dash the hairs on the back of my neck stood up and it took me right back to 1969. I can smell the leather. Great video - thank you

Very, very interesting my friend. As a Yank, I noticed the Chevrolet 150 rear door design even before you mentioned it. Also, the front grill is Chevrolet inspired. What I'm really intrigued by are the recessed taillights. Excellent presentation.

Great nostalgia trip for late 1960s! When the family grew to 3, I traded a Mini 850 in for a Humber Hawk. Both were British Racing Green which might have suited the nippy Mini but was a bit of a stretch for the Humber! It was a manual with overdrive and separate front seats so no sliding. We would travel from the midlands to Cornwall. somewhat sedately. and overnight half way and sleep in the car, usually around Bodmin Moor. Youngest on the back parcel shelf, middle one on back seat and eldest son across the rear floor. Had to stuff either side of the transmission tunnel to level things up. Wife and I reclined in front seats. Back in the day before motorways it took around 12 hours in holiday times but was in armchair comfort! Only divested when given company car. Thanks for the memories. Queensland, Australia

Another great 'story' on a rather less well known brand/model. I'd forgotten how grand the Humbers were - and more frequently I saw them in their rather more formal plain black. The two tone showed here looks so good.

My dear old Gramps had one of these. I remember my Grandma telling me she went mad - he said he was going out to get a newspaper and came back with one of these (beautiful) beasts

Thanks for this video. My dad had a Humber Super Snipe estate JBY 575D in the early 1970s and we loved it. It towed our caravan all over Europe during the summer holidays with us four children either bouncing around on the back seat or with the back seat down, lying asleep in our sleeping bags. Early one morning on an Italian motorway with my mum driving we got into a weave while overtaking a double trailer lorry. With the caravan swinging wildly from side to side we ended up stopped across the road. A white Opel Record ploughed into the side of us and that was the end of that lovely old car. Fortunately no one was seriously hurt. It was by far the favourite of my dad's many cars.

Brilliant car, brilliant location, brilliant information, brilliant videography,brilliant presentation. Brilliant! 👍🙂👍

"Sheer girth" is my personal highlight from this script!! another top class video Ed.

Very nice. I have a 1961 Humber Hawk Series II. Been in the family since very near new and I inherited it nine years ago. It is a project now. I like the earlier wrap around screens too. A lovely car and a very reliable engine. Could pull loads too including large caravans

It’s very nice to see the original radio in old cars like these.

my great grandfather apparently owned a humber super snipe, though I think it was a mk2 or mk3. turns out the British idea of an American car was a succesful formula for australian car buyers back then.

"Humbers were generally respected cars...all the murderers drove Jags." Yes indeed.

Always a pleasure to hear your thoughtful commentary. Another interesting Rootes Group product would be a '60 Sunbeam Rapier.

Excellent presentation and well done, I remember our local doctor had a Humber Super Snipe when I was a lad in late 1960's and I still recall the wood grain dash and lovely ride, it was at a time when American cars were making inroads to Australia and British cars dropped in sales. The Super Snioe sounded great when starting off too, still remember the sound. Great video and thank you!

Another “proper good” video Ed 👏🏼 your presentation style just keeps getting better and better... love how clearly and effortlessly you present, how well researched the videos are, as well as the humorous quips (that seem more frequent these days 😜 ) keep up the good work - I find your channel very inspiring

Fantastic and interesting. A clear demonstration of why video sharing formats are so important; you are able to go into depth on the subject and really pace it nicely. You're streets ahead of the rushed and shouty TV presenters.

Very nostalgic for me. I owned a 1964 Series 3 in the same shade of metallic grey. Four speed manual with overdrive and a lovely cruiser which could not be hurried. If you were feeling wound up and in a hurry and drove it 'ham fistedly' it was awful - so I quickly learned to relax on that couch of a bench seat and just go with the flow then the world seemed a better place. Lack of power steering meant sitting in a traditional up right position close to the steering wheel and using your shoulders to turn especially when parking. Any thought of sitting back and using your wrists resulted in fatigue and elbow pain! Hand brake on the right by the sill - typical Rootes. We enjoyed some great touring holidays with children bouncing about in the back - especially to France where the long open A Roads really suited the Humber's dynamics. A car I do not regret owning.

Started my working life at a Rootes Group garage in Oldham Lancashire in 1967 ... driving all the range of cars 👍

Your production and presentation skills are increasing with every video. This is a great online record of the lovely Humber.

I continue to be extremely impressed with how well you present your videos. I have nothing but compliments for you. Bloody well done, not just for this video mind, but for all of them.

Our second car was a Humber hawk mk5, a 2.3ltr side valve with a manual column gear lever if I remember correctly. It was a medium green colour with beige leather seats. Dad only used it for travelling to work if it was raining because we couldn’t afford to use it at 17mpg. He never used first gear as it was not needed... even when he rescued and towed home a broken down car belonging to a friend. 🙂

I use to work for a 'Rootes' dealers as a parts salesman in Norwich in 1969. I can certainly remember the weight of the various panels as I lugged them down from the upper storage floor. I recall one day, I was instructed to stack up a whole pile of parts for a Hawk or Super Minx that had been badly damaged in an accident. After several days of accumulating a veritable mountain of parts, I was told the vehicle had been written off and I could put them all back in stock. Fortunately, that was the day before I left the company prior to emigrating to Australia.

In The New Avengers episode 'Cat Among The Pigeons', the protagonist can control birds and sends them on a killing spree. The car that he drives...is a Humber Hawk! A subtle and nice detail that is easily missed if you're not looking for it.

Another treat. You never let us down, whether it's brochures or actual cars. Keep 'em coming.

I have had Hawkes and Imperials for years , they are practicly bulletproof and all parts readily available with everything serviceable . Ideal for gas conversion and wonderful to drive and be driven . and I wish I had one now .

As an older American, I always admired these cars even though they weren't around here in Texas--you do great videos!

Superb! Very well researched and presented. Well done Ed on presenting a really interesting and balanced video about a forgotten British car brand. I remember my dad owning a Humber Sceptre and even though not a “proper” Humber it still had a somewhat stately feel to it! Keep them coming Ed, your videos are getting really good!

That was a very slick, professional made review. I really, really enjoyed that video. Kind of takes me back to my childhood in the 1980's. My uncle had a 1965 Humber Sceptre. Brilliant car.

I remember when my dad worked for Rootes we had a Humber super snipe. Amazing car.

Don’t forget the “ Super Snipe”. Best horse trailer towing vehicle ever!!!! Especially on one journeys!!! We had one in the 70’s it was over 30 years old. Like sitting on the sofa going along the road!!!!

Great review - love the historical socio economic context

A rare beast, that estate is glorious!

Interesting comments, thank you! My father had a black 1966 hawk. Reg. WTC 619D. Why do I remember this? A lasting memory is of our family, and a friend travelling to Cornwall on holiday, there was 8 of us on this car whilst pulling a caravan! We all had to get out on a long hill whilst dad drove the remaining distance. When we got to the camp ground I slept on the front bench seat with my brother on the rear seat at bed time. To this day it is a favourite car of mine, next to my own P6 rover!

Greeting from Aussie. Back in the 60's one of my mates in state school's father had a Humber Super Snipe. I remember travelling in it a few times when we went to the footy (AFL) & the thing that still sticks in my brain even to this day was the sheer opulence of the inside of the vehicle - especially compared to the Holden, Falcons & Valiant's we kids grew up with at the time. By the way, if I recall his father smoked a pipe so it was only fitting he drove a Humber.

Really like your style, and presentation. You show a good understanding of context, ie, the era the car came from, and you also provide very good information about the development of the car, and other similar market segment models available at this time. Well done !! Very good work.

Excellent comprehensive and informative review of my first car, the level of detail delivered in this video can't be commended enough, thanks.

An enjoyable, comprehensive summing up of the stately but staid Hawk. Your take on the era's car scene rang true (I became 15 yo in '66 and was car mad) and got the history spot on. My friend's dad _did_ fill his Hawk with schoolboys as, in those pre-seatbelt days, it was the only car in our circle spacious enough. Like a Rover P4, a Hawk catered to someone who wanted to swish by enclosed by an unflustered, quiet, red-leather environment and who felt the ambiance more important than vulgar performance.

The utterly charming MP for Yeovil Mr. John Peyton was the Minister for Transport in 1962. He owned a lovely Humber Hawk. As an indentured Rootes Group Dealer apprentice I had the pleasure of servicing this car regularly. It had a manual 4-speed gearbox with column gear change lever. I drove Mr. Peyton home, then later returned it to him. The Humber Hawk was beautiful to drive.

Wow I want want want the estate, and I hadn’t even heard of Humber until this morning, thanks for the history lesson Ed. Good to see you back

Ed - Great to see you back behind the wheel of a classic. What a beauty! As always, great facts and figures condensed into a really informative and engaging style. Well done 😊

My Dad had a Humber Hawk in dark almost black green with dark green leather. He sold it for scrap circa 1975 because the sills rusted. I recall as a young child maybe 6 or 7 sitting on the back seat and sometimes the front bench. It was a bit quicker than you state unless the Speedo was optimistic. I recall great excitement with us kids as mum got it to 99mph on the M1

Our wedding car in 1965 was a mark2 ex-service Super Snipe. the most Luxurious car I had ever been in until then.

Fascinating and brilliantly presented, thank you so much and have a good year young man 😊👍

As an ex-Super Snipe owner, this is brilliantly researched and presented.

Just remember when Top Gear calls, I'm your agent. Great video. A fantastic car but so well presented. I like the transitions, motion shots, smooth presentation and especially the writing.

When I was growing up in eastern Canada in the 60-70s the idea of a British luxury car was one that the lights and heater/wipers worked on the same day !!!

Those pockets in the doors would have been for Ordnance Survey maps, in the days when people got from A to B by reading maps and road signs.

I'd have never guessed the filler cap being there. Super vid as ever Ed💯👍

In the 70's I used to thumb a lift to work in Leicester and an old bloke used to stop if he saw me. He had a Humber Hawk as it was capable of carrying his anvil in the boot; he was a farrier. Fantastic car, all leather, auto, and so smooth. I hope someone saved it.

My dad had one of these cars in the late 1960s early 1970s. Very memorable car for me as it seemed massive and quite grand. My dad bought it very cheap i think around 50GBp due to a bad running engine, that turned out to be the HT leads and a distributor cap. It was one of his best cars and one of the few that would make you proud to be in. Oh it was blue over gray as far as i remember.

oh wow Ed, I agree with Matt C, your presentation style has taken a gigantic leap forward, this is an amazing video, totally enjoyed! Thanks :)

Ed, You've surpassed yourself in this one. Very entertaining!

Thanks for the great video, it brought back a flood of nice memories! I'll never forget my dad buying a Humber Hawk from the local auction when I was a 10 yr old kid in 72. It was beautiful with a similar style colour scheme of cream and red. I fondly remember my dad driving us to North Wales every year for our holidays, my dad and grandparents in the front and my three sisters with myself in the back and we still had lots of room for the luggage. He kept it until the early 80s when he sold it. I remember overhearing him tell my grandpa a few weeks later how much he regretted selling it. I would have bought it myself, but there was no way I could have afforded the insurance as a new licensed young driver. I'm pretty sure the whole family secretly shed a few tears when it got driven out of the yard by the new owner!

Many Humber Hawks were used for Banger Racing in the U.K. during the late 1970s and early 80s. As a teenager I used to help a driver convert Austin Cambridges, Morris Oxfords and Wolseleys into Bangers. Would involve completely stripping them of the leather seats, installing a roll cage, welding the doors etc. Some of the cars were in quite good condition before the process and would be worth a lot of money now.

Wat a beautiful car, especially the interior. Never seen one before, very nice to learn something new, although it is almost as old as I am 😉.

My late grandfather an executive on the old Greater London Council was entitled to one of these as part of his expenses but he preferred his Vitesse 2 as who wouldn't prefer a 2 litre monster engine in a half weight body and he drove that old Triumph like he stole it always hehe The Humbers main competitors were of course the Jag and the astonishing Rover P5b coupe which was creeping into top tier territory with its opulence inside, its big Buick V8 and incredible exterior shape and design. If I had a choice between an Imperial or a P5b Coupe I would be seriously caught between a rock and a hard place as both are just excellent examples of what made us the car making giant we once were.

Wonderful. Your enthusiasm is captivating. I spent many hours of my childhood in the middle of a bench seat between my father & older brother in the front of a Ford Consul. Look forward to your review of that car.

I see a lot of AMC Rambler and a bit of Studebaker Lark in the profile.

Thank you, i never even heard of this brand and model until now

My uncle had one of these excellent cars through the sixties and my father took it over for the last years of its life in the early seventies . By this time the linkage from the gearbox to the column gear lever was becoming worn. Dad cut a hole in the carpet. I think there was an inspection plate underneath which he removed. He disconnected the linkage from the top of the box. He then cut a thread on a length of iron bar which he fitted on the top of the gearbox. He put a plastic ball on the other end of the bar and but the carpet back. He now had car with a floor mounted gear lever.

My uncle Stan had a Super Snipe after his Mk X Jag. Wonderful motor (uncle Stan was and still is pretty wonderful too) . He took us all on a holiday tour of Cormwall just after the M4 had opened the West Country section @ 1970

Lovely car, as a BL and Ford aficionado I learned a lot about the Rootes history here. Also, I love your attention to detail in the continuity of your videos, the time you take editing them is well spent. (That cut between getting out the front and into the back was seamless!)

Wow! That was really professionally made. You've got a career here in presenting if you want one.

Is it just me, or is this dude just getting better and better?

My father owned and drove in succession, the Humber Hawk, Snipe and Super Snipe. Great cars.

First time viewer here. Good video and knowledge. Young Retro Motor Club - Yea! This old grandpa has subscribed.

The Production Quality is Vastly improving, Great Video Ed, Loved it very informative and entertaining :) you're doing great!

My Dads best friend had one of these . It was a fantastic drive and he really looked after it. It was stolen in 1979. He was devastated. This is a fabulous video. Thanks so much. Please do a vid on the Sunbeam Rapier from the 60s coupe. My dad had one.

I see the American influence on the design, but the British influence is also there, with its understated trim and lack of extraneous lines. I think that American cars of the time were “over designed”. This car is just right, not so flamboyant. This car simply exudes class and sophistication. Great video, underrated channel! Keep it up, sir. -a fan in Texas

Yes, estate cars are always the best cars

A really beautiful car and a well presented review. Well done that man!

I don't know why but I find your videos addictive... Once I click play there is no escaping until the episode is over... and then i want more!

Superb: beautifully narrated: thank you; my father bought a Super Snipe with a division between driver and passengers in about 1959. It was so unreliable it lasted 4 months, to be replaced by a large Rover 3 litre saloon. When I asked him why he didn’t buy a Jaguar, he answered that they were the “Car of a Cad”; maybe he really meant a murderer!