Humber Imperial (Series V).
Humber's three large saloons of the 1960s shared a common appearance. Most affordable of the trio was the Hawk (photos of which can be seen here), while one rung higher on the opulence ladder was the Super Snipe, followed by the car shown below, the Series V (1964-1967) Imperial, identifiable by its vinyl roof and discreet badging. One feature unique to the Imperial in Rootes' big-car line-up, and clearly needed by the chaps with the well-laden example shown below, was electrically-adjustable rear shock absorbers.
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This 3-litre Humber is registered LPL 234D, a Surrey series brought in during March of 1966. The GB badge on the bootlid points to continental adventures, while the canoes/kayaks on the roof also suggest that the gents stood with it were fans of outdoor pursuits. No information was initially known regarding the location of this photo, other than that it's in the UK somewhere - note the old cast iron "Low Bridge" sign situated alongside the stone archway in the background. The rear window of a Morris Minor can also be seen, to the right of shot behind the wall. Forum regular "Penman" however has identified the location as Monmouth, in Wales - specifically alongside the bridge over the River Monnow. Many thanks.
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Few of these big old Humbers survive, the passage of time, accidents, rot, and not least the attentions of b*nger racers, has done for most of them over the years. Although not entirely reliable, the howmanyleft site suggests that only around 50-60 Imperials of all types (the name had also been used in earlier times), were road-registered in the UK as of 2016. Of that figure, I bet few are in the factory-fresh condition of the near-new example shown above (a "mint Imperial" perhaps?). The wheel arches are particularly susceptible to the ravages of the rust bug, leading to many seeing out their days with tubs-worth of filler slathered around their crumbling arches. Really good examples are few and far between sadly, I was sorely tempted by a smart Super Snipe in my youth, but a rare moment of common sense (and very shallow pockets) led to me kiboshing that particular idea.
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Intriguingly, a check of the DVLA website shows that LPL 234D *is* still registered. However, it hasn't been taxed since March 1988. Is it still out there, sat quietly in a shed awaiting restoration? Or did it end up being scrapped, and DVLA not notified (probably the most likely scenario after all this time). More news would be very much welcomed! Coincidentally, a few years ago I went to see a black Imperial (CTK 400C) sat mouldering in a barn not all that far from here, for all I know it may still be there. So it's just possible that LPL survives, somewhere...
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Return to Page 19 in the photographic archive, or visit the main index here. Other Humber-related pages may be found via the site search below.
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