Registration No: FJT 535
Chassis No: A9000722HXO
MOT: Exempt

• Believed to be the only Tilleys shooting brake left in existence
• Recent expenditure to recommission the car for the road
• Delightfully original condition

Humber's Pullman Limousine first saw the light of day in 1930 as the successor to the 20/65hp and a long-wheelbase sibling to the Snipe. It survived its maker's takeover by the Rootes Group the following year and was steadily developed until the outbreak of WW2, during which it provided transport for Government ministers and senior members of the armed forces. The Pullman returned to public sale at the end of hostilities and continued in much the same form until the MkII version emerged during 1948. This was based on a longer chassis, and had a notably more contemporary suit of clothes featuring a shorter grille and faired-in headlamps. The MkIII variant of 1951 was longer still and powered by a 4086cc six-cylinder engine which it shared with the Super Snipe. In limousine form, it was generally furnished with coachwork by traditional, respected and bespoke coachbuilders Thrupp & Maberly. The Pullman Limousine found favour with captains of industry, Government Departments and Embassies and in the carriage trade, offering supreme ride comfort, combined with 100hp engine output and a silky smooth, all-synchromesh gearbox.

Humber records confirm that this car was despatched as a chassis on 5th September 1951 to Humber distributors, Messrs Holmes & Smith of Westcliff-on-Sea. The original purchaser of the car is not on record, despite research by previous enthusiast owners over the years, however, the chassis was clearly despatched to Tilleys of Kings Road, Dorchester, long-established motor dealers and coachbuilders, with a brief to design and construct the three-door Shooting Brake body with an opening tailgate with which this car is so distinctively furnished. The construction of the coachwork was clearly a major project for Tilleys for a demanding owner and indeed the car was first registered for the road on 12th September 1952, one year and one week after despatch from the factory. Distinctive and typically period features are the bench seats front and rear, accommodating six passengers, sliding side windows and a massive luggage carrying area to the rear, accessed by a horizontally split rear door, this load carrying area being eminently suitable for the guns and picnic hampers for the most exclusive shooting party.

From a previous sale of the car, we understand that it had a relatively gentle life and it thankfully retains originality in spades. It is liveried in the Beige colour scheme so favoured by Humber and chosen by Dinky Toys as the colour for their Humber Woodie model of the 1950s. Known to have belonged to R. Neilson of Coventry in the 1970s, Captain J. R. Hubbard of Banbury from 1979 to 1986 and B. G. Midgley of Southwell thereafter, the Shooting Brake is understood to have covered a mere 1,500 miles between 1976 and 2002. Briefly part of a major American collection, the Humber was acquired by a Middle Eastern collector during 2008. Repatriated some fourteen years later, the six-seater was in need of recommissioning and re-registration, both tasks undertaken by the vendor. Treated to a large amount of remedial work to its gearchange linkage, engine and brakes, the Humber created a huge amount of interest when displayed at the Goodwood Revival.

The vendor confirms that the car is now driveable and runs very smoothly with the gearbox and clutch being very usable. Indeed, he has enjoyed numerous trips in the Shooting Brake. The paintwork does display some patination and the woodwork is overall in good shape but would benefit from sanding and re-varnishing. Around the rear of the vehicle, some of the wood is in need of repair or replacement.

For more information, please contact:
Lucas Gomersall
lucas.gomersall@handh.co.uk
07484 082430