Talk:Humber Snipe

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That conservatively boxy 4 or 6 light saloon body[edit]

sorry about the colour
much nicer colouring and the doors drop down to cover that unfortunate gap above the running boards
Hillman
Austin 16, for contrast

Intrigued by this description for what is to me so obviously a rather handsome up-to-date American car from a company recently founded by a remarkable salesman, Walter P Chrysler, I thought I would add this comment. The Roote(s) brothers were remarkable salesmen also and admired Chrysler and, I think, were British agents (perhaps more?) for his products. If you don't believe there is a very firm link, consider the model name Imperial used by Humber and consider these two photographs and see if you can see any similarity - I promise you it is No coincidence. That Humber is just a Chrysler with a British accent, RHD and no sun visor. Also no accident Rootes disappeared into Chrysler.

Please note (in case I've not made it clear) this is not a Chrysler assembled by Humber, it is a completely different car. I would guess Rootes said build us a car just like this (Chrysler) and we'll sell it for you without any problem. Eddaido (talk) 22:08, 20 July 2011 (UTC)[reply]


Have struck out my baseless claims above.

"But Billy had set his mind on manufacturing and exporting motor cars, not just dealing in them, and, with financial help arranged by Sir George May, of the Prudential, the Hillman and Humber factories were acquired in 1929. New models with an export appeal were planned, first to come being the Humber Snipe with its challenge to the American type of car. In 1931 the Hillman Wizard, sub-titled "The Car for the Roads of the World", arrived and was launched at a great luncheon party held in the Albert Hall. . . . "
Obituaries, Lord Rootes Independent Industrialist And Inspired Salesman The Times, Monday, Dec 14, 1964; pg. 12; Issue 56194; col D

"The Humber Snipe sports saloon, a car with poise, travels easily and smoothly with a fine margin of power and speed. . . . The saloon gives the impression of the high power to weight ratio of the American car, yet feels in performance and looks in finish solidly British."
Cars Of To-Day Humber Snipe BY OUR MOTORING CORRESPONDENT The Times, Wednesday, Jul 29, 1936; pg. 17; Issue 47439; col G.

In his annual report 1929 the chairman mentions the Hillman has been given a new engine as the 8 cylinder is now so popular in America. Eddaido (talk) 07:28, 24 July 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Yes, it makes sense that the influence of "Team Rootes" came progressively into play rather than being an overnight "now you don't see it: now you do" thing. Hard to measure such a thing, especially since the parties are not available to be interrogated (and anyway, that would be original research...). But what you've added to the entry makes sense for me.
Thanks for correcting my bit about the door hinges. I could have avoided the error by simply looking at the picture of the car. Anyway, I've taken a deep breath and corrected the German wiki text from which I inferred this. I hope someone will be monitoring the entry in question who can correct my unencylopaedic (and probably grammatically incorrect) syntax! Regards Charles01 (talk) 07:45, 24 July 2011 (UTC)[reply]