1930 | Humber 9/28

The Humber 9/28 was one of the last models developed by Coventry-based manufacturer Humber Limited before their takeover by the Rootes Brothers. The 9/28 represents the end of an era of small luxury cars built by the original Humber car company. It is a quality-built ‘Nine' manufactured from 1929-31 and was a roomy four seater which falls into the category of a genuine British ‘Vintage' car. Registered in May 1930, it was apparently built in 1929 which was the highest production year for this model with 1141 cars built. The engine is a lively 1057cc unit with a three speed crash gearbox. In 2013, the late, great motoring historian Michael Worthington-Williams was involved in the successful recovery of this car's original registration mark SO 3898.

The history of this Scottish registered Humber is fascinating. The car and its kilted owner feature prominently in the [National Library of Scotland's film of the Kildrummy Rally in 1959](
"https://movingimage.nls.uk/film/3103
" "
"Open"). We have spoken at length to the son of the car's owner from 1966-1974, a judge who had it from 1966-1974. Mr Wills bought and restored his late father's car and took it to show to Bert Davidson, who had not seen it for 60 years, a story which featured in [this BBC article](
"https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-39591659
" "
"Open"). Mr Wills has owned it for ten years, has recently rebuilt the engine and fitted a new clutch. The engine is still running in and he has expressed a wish for the car's new owner to get in touch with him.

[](
"https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-39591659
" "
"HERE
"")In 1976, not long after being with Mr Wills's father, the car found a new home with influential World Bank development economist Bevan Waide. His career with the World Bank took him to Malaya, Singapore, the Philippines, India, Nepal and Pakistan, before spending a number of years in Tanzania where he was seconded to serve as Chief Adviser to the Ministry of Economic Development and Planning. Whilst there, he obtained a pilot's licence and flew frequently to remote areas in the course of his work. He bought the Humber in October 1976 for £1500 in Newcastle. By then he had returned to the UK to head the Northern Region Strategy Team. He was apparently a reserved man with a quiet sense of humour who spent much of his leisure time restoring old cars, building and flying model aircraft. He must have been very fond of his charming English Humber car as he took it with him to his home in Great Falls, Virginia, U.S.A. from whence it returned to the North East of England in 2012. By that time it had passed to his brother Martin Waide who for a time was Chief Designer at Team Lotus. We are told that the Humber has crossed the Atlantic four times! The most remarkable thing about this car is the unique level of originality of the interior. Whilst the carpets are a little threadbare in places, the original seating is utterly remarkable at 94 years of age and the smell on entering the car should be bottled and sold to museums! Patina does not come close to describing it. The release of two leather straps allows the front seat backs to fold down, creating sleeping accommodation for two! Useful for a cuddle, it's probably not the most comfortable place to spend a night! Although the external roof fabric has been replaced, this was done with great care, preserving the original lamb's wool headlining.

The car's history file details its recommissioning on return to the UK, which in addition to the engine rebuild included a rear axle rebuild. On the road, it a quite lively car, and feels rather quicker than the more abundant, similar sized Austin's and Morris's of this era. It was a quality-built motor car, little known today. We have never seen one with this level of originality. The two-tone paintwork is just lovely and the extensive use of polished brass looks wonderful. Priced at less than ten thousand pounds and absolutely ‘on the button' we think this Humber is remarkable value for money and quite unique.