Humber Humberette 1914 (15)

1913 Humberette cyclecar in wonderfully original condition.Engine: V-twin 84 x 90mm bore & stroke, 998cc, air-cooled with drip-feed lubrication and magneto ignition. Gearbox: three speed & reverse, cone clutch, shaft-drive to bevel back axle. Suspension: front transverse semi-elliptic leaf spring, rear, quarter elliptic leaf spring. Brakes: rear wheel and transmission. Right hand drive.Perhaps considered nowadays as something of a curiosity, in 1912 the cyclecar was a well-established part of the motoring scene and had evolved into a 'neither motorcycle or motorcar' species in its own right. Confirmation of this came with two events at the end of November 1912. One was the display at the Cycle & Motorcycle Show at Olympia of almost 40 different makes of cyclecar, the other was the launch of a new motoring magazine by Temple Press, publishers of The Motor, timed to coincide with the Show, called The Cyclecar. It sold 100,000 copies, at a penny each.That respected maker of quality motorcars, Humber Limited of Coventry, was at the Show, on Stand 52, displaying its Humberette that had been launched on the market in October. Humber described it thus The Humberette stands ahead of any other cyclecar. It is not a motorcycle on four wheels, but essentially a perfect car in miniature £125 complete. Indeed, it was not one of those flimsily constructed lash ups with wire and bobbin steering, fibre-board bodywork, and belt-drive that some ephemeral hopefuls inflicted on the motoring public and in some quarters gave the cyclecar a bad name. No, the Humberette was properly designed and constructed, featuring a tubular chassis, rack and pinion steering and an air cooled V Twin engine of Humbers own design. The following year a version with a water cooled engine was offered, approaching nearer to the elusive perfection that Humber claimed. To demonstrate the superiority of the design, the factory, along with many privateers, entered Humberettes in many of the then popular long distance trials with some success.This 1913 example carries the suppliers plate of R.O. Clark, Motor Engineer, 2A Upper King Street, Norwich, where he had a motorcycle sales agency and workshop. The car was originally registered on 20th May 1914 with Norwich County Borough Council. Its continuation log book states that by 1954, the car had moved to Brigg, Humberside and was the property of Alfred Steeper. Four further changes of ownership are noted, the car moving to Lincoln, Birmingham and Bedford by 1961, after which it was acquired for the famous Sharpe collection.Apart from having been repainted at some stage in its life, it is about as authentic as it is possible for a motor vehicle of this age to be. All the mechanical elements are correct, the bodywork, mudguards and valances, screen and hood are as period illustrations show, and the dashboard with it minimal instrumentation, lubricator, and filler caps, is exactly as the first owner would have seen it as he puttered busily along the Norfolk highways in 1913 and retains the original acetylene lighting. The Humberette spent many years on exhibit at the Ramsgate Motor Museum ,owned by the Sharpes, where it greeted visitors at the entrance. It was sold at the Christie's auction of the Sharpe collection in 2005 to a noted local collector. Inherited by his family it was sold to the current owner a few ago who recommissioned it and has used it sparingly at local events and cyclecar rallies.The hood has decayed beyond repair, which does create a dilemma as, although it is quite unusable, it is probably the last remaining hood that is as it left the factory, which means it really needs to be kept untouched to show the detail of the original construction. The ideal solution would be to make replacement and keep the original untouched. Normally the car is used without it, so a tonneau cover has been made to protect the wonderfully patinated interior.It is recognised by the Veteran Car Club as being of 1913 manufacture and would be welcomed by the VSCC at Light Car and Edwardian Section events.The car comes with an extensive history folder as well as Owners Instructions, illustrated parts list, V5C, buff log book and bound copies of all period articles from The Cyclecar.The Humberette is reluctantly offered for sale as the owner has purchased another vintage vehicle and has run out of space.A video of the vehicle can be viewed on the St Andrews Autos YouTube channel.For more information and to arrange a viewing please call James on the number provided or contact us via the website.Thank you for reading.