The new Humber Hawk : brochure : issued by Humber Limited - Rootes Motors Ltd. : Coventry : UK : nd [c.1957] : cover by Vic Carless

A rather fine, folding brochure issued by Humber Limited of Coventry and likely to be in connection with the launch of the new Series I version of the model. It gives lavish details of the four door saloon that was amongst the largest of its type produced by a British mass producer of vehicles; the brochure shows the variants that included the saloon, an estate version and a 'limousine' that included a screen allowing privacy for passengers in the back seats from the driver. The latter was, I recall, popular as an 'official' car for organisations such as the Minsitry of Defence. The Series I was in production until 1959 and later variations, along with the allied Super Snipe, continued in production until 1967. The brochure gives details of the designs and the various options such as overdrive or automatic transmission.

 

Humber had been formed in 1887 and over time built bicycles, motor bikes and cars. In 1925 the company acquired Commer Ltd., giving them a range of commercial vehicles, but in the difficult years of the later 1920s the company looked to bolster its finances. In 1929 they effectively merged with the part owned Hillman Motors; this brought them into the orbit of the Rootes brothers who, in 1931, acquired a majority shareholding of Humber.

 

The brochure cover is by the noted commercial artist Vic Carless (1928 - 2011) who did much work for Rootes as well as many other clients and included marine and aviation subjects as well as vehicles.

Done