Description

1921 Humber 11.4hp Doctor's Coupe

From long-term ownership; recent engine overhaul; a delightful vintage Humber with lovely patina

Introduced in 1921, the Humber 11.4hp was an updated and bored out version of the pre-war 10hp model and came in a variety of body styles. Powered by a 1,743cc four-cylinder side-valve engine, it had a cone clutch, a four-speed gearbox, spiral bevel axle and semi-elliptic suspension.

Solid, dependable and beautifully made, the 11.4 was a very successful model for Humber, around 5,500 being sold before it was replaced by the 12/25 in 1925.

First registered in Surrey in October 1921, this rare 11.4hp Doctor’s Coupe is believed to be one of fewer than 100 made in this body style which has a fold-away dickey seat in the rear for an additional pair of passengers. An old buff logbook shows that by 1949 it was owned by a Mr TP Way of Kingston-upon-Thames who kept it until 1968 when ownership transferred to a Mr AF Aldon of Ottershaw, Surrey.

Our vendor’s father-in-law acquired the car in 1997 to join a collection of vintage machines and used it regularly but lightly, an old MOT showing that it has covered around 1,300 miles since 1997. Invoices and photos on file show that the engine was overhauled in March 2008 with various new gaskets and a new timing chain which cost £1,520. It also had some bodywork repairs in May 2012 following a minor accident which included removing and repainting all four wings at a cost of £1,005. We are told that it also had a new leather cone clutch about 5 years ago although there is no invoice for this.

Our vendor inherited the Humber from her father-in-law and tells us that it was driving very nicely until being parked up in a nice dry barn in the Spring of 2021 since when it has not been driven at all.   

As you can see in the photographs, it looks pleasingly original and correct with that lovely patina that only comes with decades of careful use. The Excelsior tyres all have plenty of tread and look reasonably new, a brand new spare tyre being also included along with a few other useful spares. The original jack and oil can are also present, along with an original owner’s handbook.

Altogether a most charming old Humber that wears her 101 years very lightly and now only needs an enthusiastic new owner to keep her in good shape for many more years to come.

For more information contact James on 07970 309907 or email james.dennison@brightwells.com