Imperialism!

[Shep Shepherd]

Driving TV2 back from its MOT, I spotted this Humber Imperial in a side road, which is the first time I've ever seen one outside the pages of a classic car magazine:

 

 

How nice is that?

[Rocket88]

I had one many moons ago, very comfy, and very ponderous, and the most uneconimcal car I've ever had..............worse tham a big block Yank........

[triang1]

Class!

 

..and in silver too - I wonder if it's escaped from that builder's collection???

[RobT]

Very smart. There's a Super Snipe version of this lives near me which is used as a daily and parked on the road, it's always good to see these old things earning their keep.

[seth]

Very nice! Sadly I think my local, old lady driven, Imperial has gone.

[wuvvum]

I had a Hawk a couple of years back - same bodyshell etc. but with a 2.3-litre four-pot it managed high-20s mpg, which is almost double what you'll get out of an Imperial. With a four-speed manual 'box with overdrive it wasn't a great deal slower either, and it was less nose-heavy so I would imagine cornering was marginally better, although it didn't have PAS so the steering was bloody heavy. It also missed out on the Selectaride suspension and the "Coachwork by Thrupp & Maberly" kickplate. Still a lovely car though.

[Albert Ross]

Blimey. My Imperial was NVB 21E. Thrupp & Maberley stretch, glass partition. Supplied by Slocombes of Neasden, had a little badge on the rear plate looked like a lifeboat. Any pictures of the rear? Seems this was registered in the same area!

[boobydoo]

Lovely, classy car. Hardly ever see 'em nowadays.

[mattblack]

My next door neighbour has got one in his garage. Covered in crap, been in there at least 17 years and by his own addmission rotten when he put it in there...

[Mr_Bo11ox]

I love these, a great application for a VM 2.5 TD I reckon.

[eddyramrod]

I nearly bought one of these when I was 18. I bought the Vauxhall PA instead. Sometimes I wonder which was the right choice, but you can't go back...

[Albert Ross]

I nearly bought one of these when I was 18. I bought the Vauxhall PA instead. Sometimes I wonder which was the right choice, but you can't go back...

I had a 2 tone green PA at the same time as the Imperial, and the beige Avenger 12/50, and the Super Minx, and the Sceptre... and the Rover 90... I was 18. The neighbours loved me!

[pogweasel]

I love these, a great application for a VM 2.5 TD I reckon.

PHWOAR.

[RobT]

My Imperial was NVB 21E. Thrupp & Maberley stretch, glass partition. Supplied by Slocombes of Neasden

 

What a wonderful collection of words, I've just re-read that lot about 5 times! Slocombes of Neasden - sounds like the perfect name for an autoshite dealership if one ever existed

[triang1]

My Imperial was NVB 21E. Thrupp & Maberley stretch, glass partition. Supplied by Slocombes of Neasden

 

What a wonderful collection of words, I've just re-read that lot about 5 times! Slocombes of Neasden - sounds like the perfect name for an autoshite dealership if one ever existed

Didn't know Slocombes was a car dealer once - I remember it well as a big motorbike dealer in the area for years (still is a Honda dealer - it was once a place to drool over Beezer Spitfires and Triumph Tridents ).

 

Still the Thrupp & Maberley factory was nearby in Cricklewood and I passed it everyday on the way to school and never noticed - just an anonymous brick shed..wish I had peaked inside to see all those Imperials and Humber estates being put together ( and Alpines too apparently but I never saw nowt).