Humber 12/25 pre war car review
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 ต.ค. 2024
- Many thanks to Lakeland Motor Museum who lent me this incredible car! Not been yet? here's a link to their website, it's well worth a visit if you're a car nut like me: www.lakelandmo...
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Humber 12/25
We’ve looked at a Humber Super Snipe before, but by and large, Humber isn’t a name we’ve covered a lot on idriveaclassic and it’s definitely something we need to remedy, because this is a brand which is not only quality but was once Britain’s second largest car manufacturer, with Wolseley taking the top spot, and claimed with their 1896 range to be the first company to produce a series of production cars.
But cars weren’t always where Humber set their sights and like other car manufacturers, they originally manufactured bicycles. Although the manufacturer was a big West Midlands employer in the early part of the last century, the firm initially began in Beeston in Nottinghamshire and it was growth that led them to set up Coventry premises where 3,000 workers were in place by 1907.
The first car Humber produced was a 3 wheeled tri-car called the Sociable in 1898 and by 1913, they were Britain’s second largest car manufacturer. The profit leaps they made were enormous and in 1905 they reported profits of £16,500 and just two years later it shot up to over £154k.
So where does this bring us to in 1925, the year this Humber was sold?
By 1925, Humber had had a bit of a mixed bag. There were the war years whereby orders from the government had come in thick and fast for things like motorbikes but by the early 1920s, the car manufacturer market had a few more challenges. Names you’ll instantly recognise like Rover, Singer and Riley to name a few had stepped away from bicycles and embraced the growing desire for the motorcar. Here and abroad.
This marked the last decade before Rootes came in and in 1925 Humber acquired Commer, which was done to take market share in the commercial space, but the real changes came into force at the end of the decade whereby talks began for Rootes to buy a share in the business and in 1931, Rootes and Prudential took 60% of the shares in the company. Humber was never independent ever again.
Which means this 12/25 we’re testing today is in the last true era of Humber as a standalone, independent manufacturer, faults and all.
In 1923, Humber introduced the new inlet over exhaust engine in as an 11.4hp model. In 1925, Humber stepped the game up a bit and made improvements to the engine. It now had a capacity of 1795cc which gave it a tax brake horsepower rating of 12 - this was measured from the number of cylinders and engine stroke only but had an engine output of 25 brake horsepower. This gave the car the name of 12/25.
If you’re wondering about the transmission on this, it’s a four speed transmission and this was the only option offered on the car. It’s based around a ladder frame chassis and has leaf sprung suspension and rear drum brakes. Allegedly you can crack 50 miles per hour in this car, but I’d like to be safe and sensible today and I doubt I’ll be hitting that!
If you’re wondering where it sat luxury wise in the market, this was a classed as high quality build car, a car for somebody with money who understood quality and taste in good measure. If you’re wondering how it was priced in comparison to a car you can easily picture in your mind, it was priced in 1926 at £440 for the tourer, which was almost double what Ford were asking for the Model T.
In total, there were 5 styles of coachwork available for these cars, with the four seat tourer accounting for over 50% of total cars sold and other options including the 2/3 seater, the 4 seater, the coupe and With less than 5,000 of these cars ever made, it makes it a true marvel to have it here with us today.
Now before we take a drive out, let’s have a chat with the gentleman who restored this vehicle.
Brilliant job on the gears, Steph! An elderly friend let me drive his 29 studebaker roadster, and said I was the only one who didn't grind the gears. But , the pedals were normal, so I bow to you! So glad to see Ken also. I love that we have the chance to document the past, and keep their legacy alive.
Outstanding reviews by a really first rate presenter.
My, God. I don't take my 45 year old MG out in the drizzle, let alone a 100 year old car with the hood down. Sounds great. Thanks for sharing.
Me neighter (1970 MGB).
1925... the year my Ma was born ....god bless you mum xx
A year before our lovely late Queen 💕
Humbers we're always synonymous with good quality and excellent workmanship 👍
I found it most interesting how you articulately described the independence of Humber prior to the Rootes Group acquiring the prestige brand.
You speak with absolute brilliance and are so descriptively accurate.
Excellent work Steph
Keep up your high standard of presentation.
I have to admit my brain feels a little scrambled thinking how to drive it correctly! Fascinating car and as you say, what a privilege for you to have the opportunity to showcase this for us :-)
You and me both!
Cars from around 1900-1920 are the best ever made. I can recommend such car for daily commuting.
The car is neat but the sweet exchange and mutual respect warmed my heart. Lovely people.
I really enjoyed this one Stef , thanks for bravely tackling something completely different , also thanks to your excellent instructor .
Thank you Simon!
Thank you very much for such a detailed outing in the lovely 12/25 Humber. You mentioned driving this in the 1920s - I have my late father’s first driving licence which was issued to him in 1923 at the age of 15, and he never took a driving test during his whole life! Great review - as always. Thanks again.
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻thank you Steph you’ve found your vocation, a most insightful, entertaining and educational experience. There is a whole world of these more elderly vehicles of which I personally know little and I’m sure most of your viewers also, please continue , give us a smattering of them amongst your more ‘modern’ stuff and let’s not let our vital heritage die. Thanks again for a truly wonderful few minutes of escapism.
What an experience to have, such a privilege to drive a nearly 100 year old car. The only part that would have me nervous is the lack of front brakes, I'm not a driver who uses their brakes constantly, I tend to keep my eye on the road an ease off the accelerator but I do like to know they're there.
Yeah same! The braking and the lack of usual ABC layout made me feel so nervous 😂😂😂😂
@@idriveaclassic The other thing I kept thinking was that I over there 5 weeks ago and came home over the Kirkstone Pass to get home and there's no way I'd be taking that over there 🤣
Admiration for driving this Steph. Not many would tackle it. Top video, I learnt quite a bit.
Amazing! Wonderful to see, and great to hear a positive, informative view on Pre-War cars. Thanks Steph, love the show!
Thank you - it's good to see such a car being used, and even in the rain, rather than just kept indoors. Also interesting to get a take on how different it is to drive from newer cars.
Great to see a true vintage car reviewed
Antiques cars are fantastic, are the best in classic cars world
Magnificent Motor car🥰 built not bought unlike the rubbish they throw together now!
My grandfather learned to drive in cars like this and didn't have to do a driving test!😳
Driving tests came in 1935 my uncle was the same, but my father could only look at cars as couldn't afford one.
And spitfire pilots flying in the battle of Britain couldn't drive cars when they were demobbed.
Fantastic video nice to see women getting really involved in classic cars
My paternal grandfather worked at "The Humber" in Coventry.
Should have dressed in a Flappers outfit from 1925! Great video Thanks
Haha have you seen the prices of 20s vintage?!
Brilliant to see this lovely car being driven on the road . I don't know if I would show such confidence behind the wheel of it !
I've done over 7000 miles at the wheel of my 1932 Morris Minor two-seater which has a 3-speed crash gearbox, and I still crunch the change every so often. Well done on those decent gear changes. The Minor has a centre throttle from the factory but mine has been converted. Makes it much easier to drive.
Makes it much easier for YOU to drive.
Lovely old car there. What are the chances of finding the matching body? I think the two parts wanted to be reunited. Different times for driving though, you almost need to be an octopus! Very well done Steph for a first drive and it did help having a good driving instructor. Thanks again Steph I will look forward to the next one. 👍 👍
Thanks Stephen!
Well done Steph, a very smooth first drive, your gear changes were quiet, were you quietly double-de-clutching or was it just a lovely friendly gearbox? More of this era please … proper motoring .😊
I can double declutch after years in a hellish selection of poorly maintained cars I own/owned
@@idriveaclassic Well done girl - look at Fuzz Townsend, Wayne Carini, Jeremey Clarkson etc can't use a non-synchro gearbox to save their lives!
Wow what an experience!! Great video!! I have driven a few pre war cars and for me the hardest thing is wrapping my head round the increased stopping distance. I have had some hair raising, car skidding sideways in a full panic stop moments in cars from this era lol
What a stunning motor. Absolutely fantastic vid Steph
Beautiful for its time, and expertly restored… and driven! There’s an almost identical one in the Alston Hub Museum, alongside a nice bullnose Morris. Good to know about the different pedal formats; I remember my old dad telling me that the clutch on his bull-nose Morris was a winding handle up on the dashboard.
Driving was once quite complicated!
Well he was having you on. The pedals on the Morris are exactly the same as on this Humber.
Steph, Another top video! Great and informative presentation. I really appreciate your research that helps solidly place whatever vehicle you are presenting into the broader automotive world.
Great stuff! Lovely to see something different and that Humber was a real Gem.
You did really good to say it is so different to anything you have driven.🙂
Thank you!
Nice to see some older classics 👍
Impressive, you are brilliant in your driving and talking at the same time.
Lovely car and museum. I have driven on that carriageway (A590?), must have be terrifying between modern cars. Well done Steph!
Thanks! It was a bit stiff upper lip x
Wonderful old Humber
Fantastic, one day you will drive the Isabella too..:)...thanks Steph.
Well done Steph, an excellent and very interesting video with a beautiful old car. So good it has been reunited with its engine again.
I can understand how strange it must have been.
I've got a 1950s Wolseley and it took me several weeks to get used to the column change.
So glad you’re back doing what you do best. What a drive!
Gorgeous! I noticed the handcrank at the front and as I am not up-to-date on my pre-War cars (that's WWII, youngin's!), I would have thought that on a car like a Humber, it would have had a self-starter as Charles Kettering had developed that invention circa 1916 in the USA at General Motors. But yes, isn't it interesting that this car is near 100-years old which would make it a veritable antique even in the world of antiques in a couple of years, and some of the driving requirements need to be learned. Can you imagine someone in 2122 trying to drive a contemporary new car?!!! Haha, they'd be trying to figure out the stupid "infotainment" and other geegaw nonsense. At least THIS had things that require skills and are of an intriguing challenge!! Simply marvellous, Steph. Thanks!!!!
I notice you had the obligatory white transit behind you....usually they're closer than that..! Nice job.
Good afternoon Steph. Just begun to watch your Amasing video's. What a very Beautiful and Interesting vehicle you had the Pleasure of Driving with the person who built it and knows everything about it. You as a Driver are Incredible Steph. You are very Considerate and Thoughtful towards other road users. Very Impressed with Your Channel. 🙂🙂🙂👍👍👍👍🚙🚙🚙⛽⛽
Great video ❤️
Thanks Paul!!!
Brilliant. Loved it. Cheers, John (Australia)
Good job driving Steph❤
Lovely motor car, with an interesting history.
Thanks Nigel. Underrated classic
Well done Steph! lovely car
Thanks Martin. Lovely but scary to drive
I think you are so awesome Steph!
Oh thank you!
I know a lot of people who can drive 4 on the floor and a few can drive 3 on the tree, but heaven help them if the vehicle has a manual choke or the transmission isn't synchronized! Great job, Steph! I didn't hear a single gear crunch!
I was lucky enough to have a ride in a 1914 model t Ford a few weeks back and the controls were bewildering in that also - fair play to you for even attempting to drive this on camera - great video. The worst part of the model t for me btw was the 2 speed gearbox! First was fine but jumping to second seemed way too high - like 1st to forth in a 4 speeder - this cars 4 speed was probably quite advanced for the time. Keep the vids coming Steph. Maybe another bubblecar?? 🥰
Remember, the model T was not the only car company at the time. You're allowed to try more than one experience.
Two speeds are quite enough for a Model T, with its low-revving 2.9 litre engine.
Your ankle starts to ache holding 'low' on a long hill, though.
Nearly 100 years old, amazing!
Thanks Andy for watching!
Beautiful machine! Love all the details.
You’re looking incredible!! ❤️
18.54. im sooo overwhelmed for some reason, probably Steph was aswell, its bringing tears to my eyes. Amazing car, ae
Colin you sweetie x
Good to see you back Steph . Long time no see .
You are right, 9 days feel like eternity
Beautiful restoration. Well done Sir!
You did a fantastic job as a first time driver of a brass era car. Impressive!
I dream of having buttoned leather seats like that on my Micra. :D
You were driving down some lovely looking roads too
thank you for posting Steph 😊👍
Thanks Allan!
Hums along nicely .
Well done steph not an easy one to drive 👍
No it really wasn’t!
You can road test my car when I’m finished restoring it Steph 👍
You should try reviewing an Alvis 12/50. They are similar to the Humber, but (as befits a sports car) they are faster. I used one as my daily driver, and kept pace with Melbourne’s traffic, albeit 60 years ago.
Brilliant video Steph. I've often wondered how those really old cars were driven, so interesting...and in the rain too. :D
Great to see you in a vintage vehicle. I’ve seen your video in the green goddess. Would you consider a Bristol Lodekka sometime? That would be a good practice on your double de clutching technique. 😘
Love your channel Steph. Very informative. Your driving skills are great. I couldn't drive some of these cars cause the pedals are too close together
Lol
Honestly I was bricking it
Got to admit to being a tad jealous of you Steph, you did well; I don't think I'd have done that well on the first attempt. What a lovely old car.
Oh I was scared witless don’t panic
Should be in a museum.
Edit; oops it is.
Wow! This is just the greatest 😊♥️
Thanks Tony!
It's amazing how they had no insulation over the spark plug connectors!
Well done Steph. Another great video. Looking good too :-)
Nice video Steph, a few more like these would be great
Great video and loved the random hand in the back😂
Oh noooo thought I’d cropped it. Fml.
Congratulations! That was truly interesting.
Necessities for the driver during winter; Fur lined leather jacket. Woollen shawl. Leather motorcycle gloves. Thick woollen socks. Boots. Fur hat with earpieces.
Great video Steph, and well done. You made driving it look easy. No fuel gauge ?
BRILLIANT!!! 😀
I really enjoyed this. The pedals would be a bit weird.
Great review Steph ,thanks
Great video but a terrifying drive. Your very brave. Keep up the great work
Thanks Tristan!
Basic motoring requirements; Air-con; 6CD changer; Leather. Well two out of three aint bad . . .
Humber for many years built luxury cars with a divider panel between the driver and passengers as a way of creating privacy between the chauffeur and the passengers.
I can see the site of all three Humber factories from my flat and my parents are from Motherwell :)
Motorcycles had Advance & Retard leavers as late as the 1950's
Amazing car. How did the body get separated so far away from the chassis?
What a pretty car!
Thanks Williams
William even. I don’t think we’ve cloned you x
@@idriveaclassic hahah not so I have noticed 🤣
Modern day drivers do not know that their born 🤣 lovely piece of British history
I think the horsepower rating is based on the bore, not the stroke.
Why is the spare wheel in front of the drivers door?
Advanced looking engine, surprised its not more than 25 bhp.
More modern than you think it would be. Ain"t that strange?
Do you have any remarks on why the spare wheel is blocking the driver's door?
There is NO door on the driver's side. The driver enters from the nearside.
Looking very stylish in that coat Steph.
I want one
Single breasted though 😂
I suppose at the time most cars were 3 speed but Humber was an upmarket brand.
Wasn’t that lovely standard a 4 speed? Escapes my memory x
@@idriveaclassic I would guess that you would normally set off on second with this kind of car.
what aobut a mg magnetta za zb or a hansa 1100
Wouldn't you love to do your everyday motoring in a leisurely vintage vehicle like that?
Absolutely not. I’m a modern (60s) car driver x
@@idriveaclassic You’re a commuter!
Yeah and I do it in style
all i can is its raining on the car!!!!!!!
It was so wet x
✔
Presumably the humber has a crash gearbox
Haha it did!
And the torpedo version is better