Robin Wills had fond childhood memories of riding in his father’s old Humber 9/28 saloon in the early 70s.
The car was last seen staring in the opening titles for the 1976 film “The Likely Lads” before disappearing to America. After a long search Robin located the now very dilapidated Humber 9/28 in the USA where it had been gathering dust since major engine failure in 1979. Once he had shipped the car back home to County Durham, Robin began the long restoration of his old family car.
Vintage Supplies supplied handles, catches, suspension parts, lamps, mirrors and many other small parts and trim needed for the restoration.
1929 Humber 9/28 Saloon
Built at Stoke, near Coventry, Humber was once second only to Wolseley for volume of production in the UK, becoming part of the Rootes group by 1930.
Although the 9/28 was the smallest in the Humber range at the time, it was a substantial car costing three times as much as an Austin Seven. With its unusual inlet-over-exhaust engine design, it produced about 28 bhp with a 3-speed non-sychro gearbox. The accelerator was the middle pedal, with a foot starter button too.
Being heavy, the Humber’s performance has been described as stately! There are thought to be about a dozen Humber 9/28s remaining.
Problematical Pistons
CEP – Classic Engine Parts
With a huge stock of NOS (New Old Stock) pistons and an extensive reference library CES was able to match height, compression and gudgeon pin diameter. Once the engine block was bored to match the new piston diameter the engine was running well for the first time in decades.
Parts for Classic Engines
Classic Engine Parts has now put this invaluable reference source online. Now engine rebuilders can search by Bore, Piston Height, Compression Height and Gudgeon Pin diameter to find their best options when exact replacements no longer exist.
Thanks Robin for sharing your touching story about such a grand old British Car.
Bert behind the wheel of his old Humber after almost 60-years
Reunited
In a charming footnote to the story, Robin found some plaques inside the car relating to the 1959 Kildrummy classic car rally. The vintage class was won that year by Bert Davidson in the Humber SO3898 – he can be seen wearing his kilt in the archive film.
In 2017 Robin managed to find the then-83-year-old Mr. Davidson in Scotland and took the Humber up to reunite Bert with the car he had bought as a lad for just £15. Bert was delighted to get behind the wheel of the car he had loved so much as a young mechanic. The interior is all original, and the paintwork is the same rich burgundy, so the car holds a lot of memories for both Bert and Robin.
Read more about Bert’s reunion with the Humber:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-39591659