Irrational desires: The Humber Sceptre

[Jon]

I just had to Google that Squire and I must admit, it does cut a dash but it's no Austin Freeway, which I think is my favourite Aussie BMC effort. 

 

In all honesty, I'm more of a Leyland Australia fanboy but I am warming to the earlier post war era more than before. Ignoring my 1970 Land Rover (just like I do, because it doesn't work), my interesting cars span 1979-1990, so I'm just as susceptible to 'sticking to what I know' as much as anyone else.

 

barret, I would pay good internet imaginary money (your choice of denomination) to see you sporting a Rootes group baseball cap - I'm imagining a mid to dark green cap, with gold lettering and motifs. Surely, you could stretch to a shapeless fleece in the same colours as well, though?

[colnerov]

Thanks, I needed a chuckle.

 

Today's ten minute tinker conclusion: it needs a carb rebuild asap. Despite cleaning all the jets that I could find it still won't idle and won't really sit below 3000rpm. Not unexpected for a car that's sat for 20 years but I was hoping I could bluff that one out. It's some hideous terrifying Solex twin choke job so I'll try and farm that out to the same garage who are going to do the brakes and exhaust - hopefully this week so I might even have it 'on the road' this time next week!! (He said, optimistically)

 

 Hi, Solex carbs from that era had a reputation for warping the bottom flange of the carb. Something to check for.

 

 Colin

[barrett]

Anyone got a spare 'M' from a Humber boot badge so I can alter the one on this to read 'BUMMER'? I was just going to turn 'HUMBER' into 'BUM HER' bit that's a bit uncouth

[barrett]

Now fitted with one hub cap thanks to Amishtat of this parish. Waiting for another three to arrive from various sources.

[barefoot]

Against all the odds, I saw another one of these this morning. D registered, dark green & heading away from Leicester on the A4114.

[lesapandre]

Ye, but it must be remembered the Sceptre only became a Humber at the last minute, it was always planned to be a Sunbeam and was marketed as a sports saloon. Presumably Rootes had been given a fright by the Rover and Triumph 2000s and as the big Hawk and Snipe were traditionally Rover P4/ 5 competitors it was thought a dashing, smallish luxury car that would fit in between the Corsair GT , VX4/90 , sporty* Farinas and these new 2.0 'executive' cars needed their best badge.

Myself I think they missed a trick. I was a kid in the 60's and Humbers were stuffy cars. Sales were quite low. It really is a successor to the Sunbeam Talbot 90 and marketed as a Sunbeam would IMHO have sold better. Sunbeam were still cool and the Tiger was ice cool when I was a kid. I once had a drive of a Rapier with a Rover V8 in it - too nose heavy but maybe worth another try with the Tiger's Mustang V8 in a Sceptre? Now that would be fun (maybe).

[captain_70s]

Now fitted with one hub cap thanks to Amishtat of this parish. 

20180716_200242-1.jpg

 

So all required work is done and this is now your daily driver, yes?

[Yoss]

Anyone got a spare 'M' from a Humber boot badge so I can alter the one on this to read 'BUMMER'? I was just going to turn 'HUMBER' into 'BUM HER' bit that's a bit uncouth

 

I've got an M from a Triumph somewhere. Would look even better with one letter of a slightly different font.

[barrett]

Carb dismantled, fully cleaned, reassembled and all appears to be working fine but now, instead of not idling at all it races up to about 3500rpm and sits there, even with the air screw dialled right out. Obvious cause is a massive air leak somewhere but spraying easy start all over the place doesn't see it race at all. Any bright ideas from the hive mind? ('Put a Weber on it' doesn't count as a bright idea btw)

[barrett]

Also I never paid Amishtat for that hubcap but I will next week!!

[vulgalour]

Sure it's an oil leak and not a sticky choke/accelerator cable?

[Spottedlaurel]

Good to know you're making your dream come true.

 

The Humber/Minor shot reminded me of this scene from 10 years ago:

 

Which led me to my Rootes folder.....

 

 

 

From an old copy of Street Machine.

 

 

 

 

 

And some stuff at shows (including the banger). You got the flags and deckchairs yet?

[Sudsprint]

What a fantastic purchase....if ever there was a car that would look at home in an old 1960s colour postcard (outside a pub next to a Mini Traveller and a Triumph 1300).

 

Looking forward to photos of the interior.

[RayMK]

Carb dismantled, fully cleaned, reassembled and all appears to be working fine but now, instead of not idling at all it races up to about 3500rpm and sits there, even with the air screw dialled right out. Obvious cause is a massive air leak somewhere but spraying easy start all over the place doesn't see it race at all. Any bright ideas from the hive mind? ('Put a Weber on it' doesn't count as a bright idea btw)

 

I've had this with a carburettor after a rebuild. Usually I am forced to strip and rebuild the bloody thing again. Despite not finding any obvious cause(s) the damned things work on the second or third rebuild. It's frustrating and consumes gaskets.

[tooSavvy]

I've got an M from a Triumph somewhere. Would look even better with one letter of a slightly different font.

..... Sound like a badge on a car of mine [once] lol

[barrett]

Still haven't really done much with this yet, but here's a picture of the interior. Look how red it is! It smells great, too

[loserone]

Has anyone ever told you how much of a winner you are?

[barrett]

Frequently. Usually beautiful women.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

I agree with them

[loserone]

Frequently. Usually beautiful women.

 

I'm not surprised on that back seat  I'd be tempted myself

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

Apart from a 1957 Minx or early Rapist/Gazebo, nowt from the Rootes stable excites me.

[pompei]

There is an old fellow in Hull called Allan Marshall who has amassed a huge collection of Humbers which you can visit. Shamefully I still haven't been but some of the flashier cars are on the roads from time to time for weddings.  Here is a link of sorts.

 

 https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g186317-d8139693-Reviews-Humber_Car_Museum-Kingston_upon_Hull_East_Riding_of_Yorkshire_England.html

 

Sorry, I messed that up, but a quick Google will locate it.

 

Sadly, he recently announced that he is packing it all in and wants to sell the collection. He may be a source of parts and practical info.

 

I was in a garage waiting area yesterday (long story) where the reading matter included a 2013 PC comparison on the Sceptre, Corsair, Rover 2000 and Triumph 2000.  One of the pictures in your post was from that feature.  They concluded that the Rover 2000 was the best as it was so advanced for its years, the Corsair the most innovative due to styling and they reckoned that the Sceptre was old before its time due to adopting 50's American cues and thought that was why sales dried up in the sixties.   

 

Yours is lovely BTW !