Family Legacy - 5 decade journey

[kc's]

Legacy goes on -
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_LW0SC8XIpiA/TdM4MKyhN1I/AAAAAAAACEI/HlMCG4BciSg/s800/IMG_8447.JPG

I thank God for this wonderful chance to be able to witness this wonderful legacy

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_LW0SC8XIpiA/TdM4M0g2YNI/AAAAAAAACEM/60dQxeALCK0/s800/IMG_8433.JPG

my buddy had this ride for concourse de elegant

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_LW0SC8XIpiA/TdM4OGp9_6I/AAAAAAAACEQ/eug7qIbmio8/s800/IMG_8463.JPG

an elegantly and precision engineered make

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_LW0SC8XIpiA/TdM4PfpbbdI/AAAAAAAACEU/EBEYYd09J7o/s800/IMG_8445.JPG

well designed

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_LW0SC8XIpiA/TdM4QkKAALI/AAAAAAAACEY/H89NYnSHAR4/s800/IMG_8467.JPG

well endured and lasted half a century

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_LW0SC8XIpiA/TdM4Rp81N6I/AAAAAAAACEc/_z1wueDsRF0/s800/IMG_8477.JPG


none other the HUMBER ... a ride in the 50's
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_LW0SC8XIpiA/TdM4SnJeKUI/AAAAAAAACEg/ADep11ZkR3Y/s800/IMG_8483.JPG


carefully and meticulously preserved
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_LW0SC8XIpiA/TdM4T5MhhMI/AAAAAAAACEk/XtC_IWxjQ-Y/s800/IMG_8478.JPG
A collector Master piece

I remember an olden story, if a man found treasure beneath the land, he will sold off all he has & trade for this piece

my heart challenge me

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_LW0SC8XIpiA/TdM4VVsOEjI/AAAAAAAACEo/4put6tvb54E/s800/IMG_8450.JPG


presenting to you

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_LW0SC8XIpiA/TdM4dcpMMuI/AAAAAAAACE0/m5wtl2uEVuk/s800/IMG_8469.JPG

the legacy of this family

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_LW0SC8XIpiA/TdM4e1lCo3I/AAAAAAAACE4/l1TTvcb_e5A/s800/IMG_8444.JPG

this was the ride my buddy's mum used to drive to work, back in the 50's
This ride bring back lot of fond memories, where his wonderful dad drove him & siblings around, safety & comfortably to school as he recalls.

but as he grows up & parents get old.....soon this ride has been neglected...bla bla bla

I am not here to bore you....
but my buddy shared his moments Renaissance with me...the ride was kept aside and eventually broke down, in those years he was studying overseas, upon returning home, he ask for the family Legacy, none other than this ride, as his sister was driving, somehow the car ended up lying in the workshop for almost a decade. My buddy heart cries out to see this degenerating & he has spent countless hours, money to rebuild this family ride. eg...front grilled was damaged by some careless driver reversing on it, other smaller parts like body chrome parts, passenger door panel ashtray were purchased online from UK (some old garage), the bosch spots light was pick up at an antique auction , For the last decade this car underwent tremendous restoration work .....


i have delayed in detailing this for a year.... Thank God, the big bang struck me.... as his persistence pay off... My hearts melts upon hearing this wonder family legacy...

arrangement being make, and date set. Finally car delivered for detail preparing for concourse de elegant, in a classic cars meeting at Port Dickson.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_LW0SC8XIpiA/TdM4gJlrDYI/AAAAAAAACE8/E4S2jIfQj6g/s800/IMG_8448.JPG

10 years had not being detail (wax too)
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_LW0SC8XIpiA/TdM4hEq5MTI/AAAAAAAACFA/nm1ajD7q_qY/s800/IMG_8455.JPG

my emotions flushes through out this detail - can help but this legacy clinging on my mind

Swirls - some paint defects accumulated over the past decade
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_LW0SC8XIpiA/TdM4iDWPS6I/AAAAAAAACFE/xU7FdWz0zT8/s800/IMG_8427.JPG

but you dont see it without proper lighting
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_LW0SC8XIpiA/TdM4kP6abZI/AAAAAAAACFI/RcRar_OnPdQ/s800/IMG_8437.JPG

more
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_LW0SC8XIpiA/TdM4lH1eUWI/AAAAAAAACFM/YwzOqS-vOnE/s800/IMG_8526.JPG

The wonderful part of it ...is that i am fortunate to receive some Test Lab products from Doc G of Optimum USA.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_LW0SC8XIpiA/TdM4meMReYI/AAAAAAAACFQ/hPuA34cH6HI/s800/IMG_8562.JPG

another innovative inventions
presenting to you

first in Malaysia - Optimum double sided Wool pad & Polishing pad
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_LW0SC8XIpiA/TdM4nds4dsI/AAAAAAAACFU/J_KByJ15_3U/s800/IMG_8584.JPG

another state of arts by Doc G
A polishing pad design to compliments Optimum Hyper spray polish - and the 1 pad polishing & finishing

now work begins - with clay
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_LW0SC8XIpiA/TdM4oImvI-I/AAAAAAAACFY/kvXkoCZmqu4/s800/DSCF6780.JPG

lube with my alien's juice
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_LW0SC8XIpiA/TdM4pBKu9WI/AAAAAAAACFc/RRm88g4S424/s800/DSCF6797.JPG

some melted rubber stains on the left side front 1/4 panel
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_LW0SC8XIpiA/TdM4p29EPvI/AAAAAAAACFg/IZURvUxxKaA/s800/DSCF6788.JPG

Magic portion
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_LW0SC8XIpiA/TdM4q59ZKzI/AAAAAAAACFk/sDcMPmtPLgg/s800/DSCF6792.JPG

wipe off & rinse off & walk away
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_LW0SC8XIpiA/TdM4tPdl00I/AAAAAAAACFs/2weqPSXVdwQ/s800/DSCF6794.JPG

[kc's]

Moving to paint correction


I am very blessed - to be received some lab test product from Doc G, Optimum USA

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_LW0SC8XIpiA/TdM4ueVBzWI/AAAAAAAACFw/2L8jJ3DL3A8/s800/IMG_8570.JPG

another innovative product by Doc G,
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_LW0SC8XIpiA/TdM4vqNYV4I/AAAAAAAACF0/I7irENF9mG8/s800/IMG_8588.JPG

optimum double sided pad & double sided wool - freshly flown at the right time for this detail


moving to paint issue - some minor paint pigmentations & undefined paint (paint with no clarity or definitions)

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_LW0SC8XIpiA/TdM4zrHx3qI/AAAAAAAACGE/7wtZ9IofHKA/s800/DSCF6811.JPG

more swirls accumulated over the past decade


the most wonderful part of the innovation is - there is only 2 steps polish and finish

1st with wool & then foam pad

unlike my last detail & all the other - cut with wool, the continue with cutting pad, then polishing pad & finishing pad...and see for yourself

1st Optimum single sided pad
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_LW0SC8XIpiA/TdM4wrZibII/AAAAAAAACF4/AdJ6drXErNs/s800/DSCF6803.JPG

it is always good to prime the pad for the 1st time usage (none other with my alien juice)
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_LW0SC8XIpiA/TdM4x16pX6I/AAAAAAAACF8/ZmuloZPkrso/s800/DSCF6806.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_LW0SC8XIpiA/TdM40dYjuQI/AAAAAAAACGI/hnOqZJYN7HU/s800/IMG_8615.JPG
close up

ta da with Flex 3401 state of art Polish Machine
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_LW0SC8XIpiA/TdM41uAzZ1I/AAAAAAAACGM/ae7hRJWiVRI/s800/IMG_8594.JPG

a 50/50% comparison
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_LW0SC8XIpiA/TdM42hQjYLI/AAAAAAAACGQ/tvlXERXWhcs/s800/DSCF6829.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_LW0SC8XIpiA/TdM43piGRfI/AAAAAAAACGU/S8gic5tiyfc/s400/IMG_8648.JPG


how to corner a swirl?
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_LW0SC8XIpiA/TdM45JH00DI/AAAAAAAACGc/8WUEvy2oGi0/s800/IMG_8682.JPG

by pushing them to the corners by polishing

Now, test begun with Lap test product
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_LW0SC8XIpiA/TdM46FZHFBI/AAAAAAAACGg/dhrLlqobRGM/s800/DSCF6837.JPG

before
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_LW0SC8XIpiA/TdM47PGjVFI/AAAAAAAACGk/gUztuirpCPU/s800/DSCF6847.JPG

ta da
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_LW0SC8XIpiA/TdM48PrSvFI/AAAAAAAACGo/phnu6z7EWms/s800/DSCF6848.JPG

i am so fortunate to be able to test out this product, AREA 51 - top secret
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_LW0SC8XIpiA/TdM5Bxy2x_I/AAAAAAAACHA/O9ajoko-98s/s800/IMG_8733.JPG


https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_LW0SC8XIpiA/TdM48x5eYTI/AAAAAAAACGs/XebAYa9b3Us/s800/IMG_8739.JPG


before
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_LW0SC8XIpiA/TdM4_9IoZEI/AAAAAAAACG4/fmKbe7Bqm-8/s800/DSCF6838.JPG

after
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_LW0SC8XIpiA/TdM5AzAZOfI/AAAAAAAACG8/b92LmD0O9To/s800/DSCF6839.JPG


https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_LW0SC8XIpiA/TdM4-iFs79I/AAAAAAAACG0/5zHQvXbtDIY/s800/IMG_8744.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_LW0SC8XIpiA/TdM490xPLoI/AAAAAAAACGw/dX21p3kvq5k/s800/IMG_8737.JPG

ta da
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_LW0SC8XIpiA/TdM5Bxy2x_I/AAAAAAAACHA/O9ajoko-98s/s800/IMG_8733.JPG

moving on with Double side wool & finish off with double side pad with My rotary (OHPC + OHC) Simply amazing results
before
what an effortless correction
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_LW0SC8XIpiA/TdM48x5eYTI/AAAAAAAACGs/XebAYa9b3Us/s800/IMG_8739.JPG

before
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_LW0SC8XIpiA/TdM4_9IoZEI/AAAAAAAACG4/fmKbe7Bqm-8/s800/DSCF6838.JPG

after
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_LW0SC8XIpiA/TdM5AzAZOfI/AAAAAAAACG8/b92LmD0O9To/s800/DSCF6839.JPG


from this

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_LW0SC8XIpiA/TdM490xPLoI/AAAAAAAACGw/dX21p3kvq5k/s800/IMG_8737.JPG
to this
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_LW0SC8XIpiA/TdM4-iFs79I/AAAAAAAACG0/5zHQvXbtDIY/s800/IMG_8744.JPG

remember before
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_LW0SC8XIpiA/TdM5C10Z2mI/AAAAAAAACHE/AKmSE9WS8mA/s800/DSCF6821.JPG

now
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_LW0SC8XIpiA/TdM5DibJrZI/AAAAAAAACHI/3KfxYihxgMg/s800/DSCF6842.JPG

at first hardly i could believe that this work- after all my years of polishing, how can u finish cutting thi9s level of paint by just another passes of polishing - hologram free even with rotary
wow such an amazing - 2 product finish (saves lots of time & effort)
never a time paint correction make so easy & effortless - amazing technology evolves - congrats to Doc G -

[kc's]

my emotions rushes to see where it should belong to
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_LW0SC8XIpiA/TdM5FirFuhI/AAAAAAAACHQ/GZacADVds3U/s800/DSCF6856.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_LW0SC8XIpiA/TdM5IMKBJnI/AAAAAAAACHY/kRuZMEFXwLE/s800/IMG_8752.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_LW0SC8XIpiA/TdM5LzfHxuI/AAAAAAAACHk/7jQLJBeEBd8/s800/IMG_8755.JPG

elegantly detail

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_LW0SC8XIpiA/TdM5JTmyjVI/AAAAAAAACHc/nKtD6mFPauo/s800/IMG_8753.JPG

paint being redefine again
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_LW0SC8XIpiA/TdM5KhcCZ0I/AAAAAAAACHg/kR4Or_guYeY/s800/IMG_8754.JPG

smiles again - the depth & reflection
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_LW0SC8XIpiA/TdM5NEIyAeI/AAAAAAAACHo/vMBtPa090Sw/s800/IMG_8756.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_LW0SC8XIpiA/TdM5EkgS9BI/AAAAAAAACHM/ykAMGEAFzAQ/s800/IMG_8472.JPG

family legacy must goes on
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_LW0SC8XIpiA/TdM5PcyGQ8I/AAAAAAAACHw/14UR1QXkcLI/s800/IMG_8758.JPG

Humber truly ready for concourse de elegant
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_LW0SC8XIpiA/TdM5QbYZGeI/AAAAAAAACH0/g354AwHCv90/s800/IMG_8759.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_LW0SC8XIpiA/TdM5Rur7MWI/AAAAAAAACH4/HZABkIh0tkU/s800/IMG_8760.JPG

this old lads once again looks wet & sexy again
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_LW0SC8XIpiA/TdM5SnOakxI/AAAAAAAACH8/6t9l6H4oLh0/s800/IMG_8761.JPG
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_LW0SC8XIpiA/TdM5ToNKSqI/AAAAAAAACIA/Ux6VDp7dZuI/s800/IMG_8762.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_LW0SC8XIpiA/TdM5UnsksxI/AAAAAAAACIE/2fxRp19qmq4/s800/IMG_8763.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_LW0SC8XIpiA/TdM5Vu6qHcI/AAAAAAAACII/jzwaoI998I4/s800/IMG_8764.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_LW0SC8XIpiA/TdM5WZXHoSI/AAAAAAAACIM/8QNOPGsJAYk/s800/IMG_8765.JPG

ladies and gentleman - specially dedicating to my buddy - the family Legacy
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_LW0SC8XIpiA/TdM5YoYvAZI/AAAAAAAACIU/lOAsr71sRa0/s800/IMG_8488.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_LW0SC8XIpiA/TdM5Z0_luVI/AAAAAAAACIY/OqB69mugt7g/s800/IMG_8502.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_LW0SC8XIpiA/TdM5bfwUKyI/AAAAAAAACIc/IgWMRmNugX4/s800/IMG_8494.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_LW0SC8XIpiA/TdM5dO65NOI/AAAAAAAACIg/ksblFcwkwYY/s800/IMG_8490.JPG

reminds me of the cars
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_LW0SC8XIpiA/TdM5en71DdI/AAAAAAAACIk/NnBrGPCm6ks/s800/IMG_8512.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_LW0SC8XIpiA/TdM5gD8Z2QI/AAAAAAAACIo/vkwCWUxnmNg/s800/IMG_8519.JPG

be my guest
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_LW0SC8XIpiA/TdM5hWikPLI/AAAAAAAACIs/HQzMay-QAeY/s800/IMG_8524.JPG

elegantly yours

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_LW0SC8XIpiA/TdM4XZ-mCPI/AAAAAAAACEs/-pbPe84sReg/s800/IMG_8559.JPG

carefully restored

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_LW0SC8XIpiA/TdM4b1K4hKI/AAAAAAAACEw/ZC5qzrObaSE/s800/IMG_8561.JPG


all thanks goes to Doc G & his space age technology products
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_LW0SC8XIpiA/TdM5zAkCeEI/AAAAAAAACIw/71Ctaks0jcw/s800/IMG_8581.JPG

thank you for sharing your renaissance moments with me.....thank you for allowing me to share with all my buddies here .....thank you for viewing yet another detailing adventure

[LegacyGT]

Nice one KC - I have been looking forward to seeing a new post from you for a while now.

:cheers:

[kc's]

Nice one KC - I have been looking forward to seeing a new post from you for a while now.

:cheers:


Hi LegacyGT
what a coincident - my title your name....

another flex owner too

Thank you so much for your kind words, I am still recovering from my elbow, had a ligament tear,

:dblthumb2: thank you for your kind encouragement ya

[LegacyGT]

Hi LegacyGT
what a coincident - my title your name....

another flex owner too

Thank you so much for your kind words, I am still recovering from my elbow, had a ligament tear,

:dblthumb2: thank you for your kind encouragement ya

Very cool indeed. I hope you recovery quickly, that elbow injury does not sound like fun.

The Flex is an amazing machine, I love them! I am trying to learn to master the rotary as skillfully as you have.

Question about your use of the Flex 3401 on this detail - I was not clear on which step you used it on, or if it was just on the test spot. Did you follow up the wool/rotary with foam on the 3401? Later in your writeup it sounded like you did the entire car with just the rotary.

Thanks!

[kc's]

Very cool indeed. I hope you recovery quickly, that elbow injury does not sound like fun.

The Flex is an amazing machine, I love them! I am trying to learn to master the rotary as skillfully as you have.

Question about your use of the Flex 3401 on this detail - I was not clear on which step you used it on, or if it was just on the test spot. Did you follow up the wool/rotary with foam on the 3401? Later in your writeup it sounded like you did the entire car with just the rotary.

Thanks!

Hi LegacyGT
Thanks for your thoughtfulness & kindness
slowly but surely - it is on the journey of healing, should have seen the Ortho or sport doc specialist when my pain persist - wrongly diagnose by GP

Not to worry of mastering - Tiger was never the Tiger if he wouldn't have spent that 10,000 hours in mastering his swing - given time & opportunity - everyone can master the rotary - and let me share with you " just stick to it" thats my secret

I did a test test spot initially with FLEX , with Optimum Hyper spray Compound with optimum Single side wool & step down to Optimum hyper polish with single sided pad
it was good but aren't prefect - & i was fighting against time

Had no choice - I pulled out my Good old friend Makita & he did the job well
as the paint had too much of RIDs & deeper scratches that need more levelling

FLEX really is a fun filled machine - works so much better than DA (its kinda like a toy - infact i tried a few - the vibrations make it like after shocks)


I still reckon that Rotary is the ultimate polisher for heavy job & rest of it you can never go wrong with FLEX

Thanks again for your detailing-ship

[james_death]

Great work and a car i would love to own... fantastic...
It was a local lad that created the company...

Same txt but with some pics here...

Frameset2 (http://www.humbercarmuseum.co.uk/frameset2.html)

Brief history of humber

Thomas humber was born in Sheffield in 1841. When he reached the age of five his parents brought him to kingston upon hull, where he was educated at Salthouse lane school in the city. After leving school, he gained employment with a local Blacksmith, Mr William Campion, who in 1867 brought back from Paris a simple bicycle with the pedals acting directly on the front wheel. Thomas thought that this could be improved upon, and in 1868 invented the firsty 'safety' bicycle ever produced. Demand was great, and due to the success of the bicycle, Thomas Humber moved to a new factory at Beeston near Nottingham. By 1900 Humber Ltd was one of the largest bicycle firms in Britain. With profits from his bicycle industry, Thomas looked to the future, and in 1896 he was developing a small 3hp engine attached to his bicycle frames, which was to make Humber the first motor cycle producer in Britain. Also in 1896 Thomas started to assemble his first proto-type automobiles in newly constructed premises in Coventry, which resulted in a production of nine vehicles for the Stanlet cycle show in London, which gave Humber the honour of being the first maker of series production cars in England. By 1910 Humber had built up a reputation of reliability and endurance, which at the time made it the third most popular car to be bought in Britian. (only surpassed by Ford and Wolseley). As early as 1909, Humber had opened an aircraft department making 50 Bleriot type monoplanes. In 1910 the world's first air-mail service was operated in India by a Humber aeroplane, and in world war I they assembled aircraft for Avro. After WWI Humber entered their motor cars in early races, competitions, and tourist trophies, having numerous successes and enforcing the view of the public, of the reliability and endurance of Humber. By the 1920's and 30's Humber had established itself as a motor car manufacturer of the highest quality, with expensive coachwork and interiors that only the rich could afford, and a highly envious reputation which attracted the attention of two brothers, Reginald & William Rootes, who already owned Hillman and Commer. In 1932 the Rootes brothers took controlling interest of Humber, and also at the time, the firm of London coach-builders, Thrupp & Maberley. Thrupp & Maberley were also highly respected in the coach-building world with their history going back to 1760.

The pre-war years were good to Humber, as customers valued the Humber's consistent quality and elegance. It was at this time that King George VI ordered his first Humber car in 1935. At the outbreak of WW2 Humbers factories virtually ceased producing motor cars to help with the war effort. Two thirds of all wartime aircraft engines were assembled at the Humber development the worlds first 'Land Rover' type utility, with four wheel drive and heavy duty tyres. These proved themselves to be invaluable with every aspect of the armed forces, and Humber developed this idea into their armoured vehicles used in WW2.



The only motor cars produced were staff cars for the armed forces chief officers, the most famous being ' Old Faithful' which was General Montgomerys personal transport, and can still be seen today at the Museum of Army Transport in Beverly.



After the war was won (with a great deal of help from Humber) Humber again concentrated their production on high quality touring saloons and limousines. The reliability and quality of their cars had proved themselves time and time again, and it was at this time that the British Government awarded the contract to Humber to supply all their Embassy's and consulates worldwide.

The armed forces continued to use Humber motor cars as did the civil service. Every Prime MInister of the day would be seen getting out of a Humber at 10 Downing street, culminating in an order for 47 Humbers to be supplied new to HRH King George VI for all the state and commonwealth Royal tours. The 50's and 60's were indeed good years for Humber, but with the aftermath of the Suez crisis and rise in world oil prices, Humber failed to keep up with their competitors in a very financial market, and neglected to upgrade their dated production lines with their more modern rivals, preferring still to make their cars mostly by hand. Lack of investment lead to the American car company, Chrysler, taking over the controlling interest of Humber in 1967, which was to bring an end to one of the world's finest and historic motor cars ever to be seen. At the time the dreams of a young blacksmith called Thomas Humber also came to an end, and it was also to be the ens of an era.

[kc's]

Great work and a car i would love to own... fantastic...
It was a local lad that created the company...

Same txt but with some pics here...

Frameset2 (http://www.humbercarmuseum.co.uk/frameset2.html)

Brief history of humber

Thomas humber was born in Sheffield in 1841. When he reached the age of five his parents brought him to kingston upon hull, where he was educated at Salthouse lane school in the city. After leving school, he gained employment with a local Blacksmith, Mr William Campion, who in 1867 brought back from Paris a simple bicycle with the pedals acting directly on the front wheel. Thomas thought that this could be improved upon, and in 1868 invented the firsty 'safety' bicycle ever produced. Demand was great, and due to the success of the bicycle, Thomas Humber moved to a new factory at Beeston near Nottingham. By 1900 Humber Ltd was one of the largest bicycle firms in Britain. With profits from his bicycle industry, Thomas looked to the future, and in 1896 he was developing a small 3hp engine attached to his bicycle frames, which was to make Humber the first motor cycle producer in Britain. Also in 1896 Thomas started to assemble his first proto-type automobiles in newly constructed premises in Coventry, which resulted in a production of nine vehicles for the Stanlet cycle show in London, which gave Humber the honour of being the first maker of series production cars in England. By 1910 Humber had built up a reputation of reliability and endurance, which at the time made it the third most popular car to be bought in Britian. (only surpassed by Ford and Wolseley). As early as 1909, Humber had opened an aircraft department making 50 Bleriot type monoplanes. In 1910 the world's first air-mail service was operated in India by a Humber aeroplane, and in world war I they assembled aircraft for Avro. After WWI Humber entered their motor cars in early races, competitions, and tourist trophies, having numerous successes and enforcing the view of the public, of the reliability and endurance of Humber. By the 1920's and 30's Humber had established itself as a motor car manufacturer of the highest quality, with expensive coachwork and interiors that only the rich could afford, and a highly envious reputation which attracted the attention of two brothers, Reginald & William Rootes, who already owned Hillman and Commer. In 1932 the Rootes brothers took controlling interest of Humber, and also at the time, the firm of London coach-builders, Thrupp & Maberley. Thrupp & Maberley were also highly respected in the coach-building world with their history going back to 1760.

The pre-war years were good to Humber, as customers valued the Humber's consistent quality and elegance. It was at this time that King George VI ordered his first Humber car in 1935. At the outbreak of WW2 Humbers factories virtually ceased producing motor cars to help with the war effort. Two thirds of all wartime aircraft engines were assembled at the Humber development the worlds first 'Land Rover' type utility, with four wheel drive and heavy duty tyres. These proved themselves to be invaluable with every aspect of the armed forces, and Humber developed this idea into their armoured vehicles used in WW2.



The only motor cars produced were staff cars for the armed forces chief officers, the most famous being ' Old Faithful' which was General Montgomerys personal transport, and can still be seen today at the Museum of Army Transport in Beverly.



After the war was won (with a great deal of help from Humber) Humber again concentrated their production on high quality touring saloons and limousines. The reliability and quality of their cars had proved themselves time and time again, and it was at this time that the British Government awarded the contract to Humber to supply all their Embassy's and consulates worldwide.

The armed forces continued to use Humber motor cars as did the civil service. Every Prime MInister of the day would be seen getting out of a Humber at 10 Downing street, culminating in an order for 47 Humbers to be supplied new to HRH King George VI for all the state and commonwealth Royal tours. The 50's and 60's were indeed good years for Humber, but with the aftermath of the Suez crisis and rise in world oil prices, Humber failed to keep up with their competitors in a very financial market, and neglected to upgrade their dated production lines with their more modern rivals, preferring still to make their cars mostly by hand. Lack of investment lead to the American car company, Chrysler, taking over the controlling interest of Humber in 1967, which was to bring an end to one of the world's finest and historic motor cars ever to be seen. At the time the dreams of a young blacksmith called Thomas Humber also came to an end, and it was also to be the ens of an era.

james_death

thanks buddy for your enlightenment - what a journey it has been. how one man dreams & reaches the world

thanks for yr kind words

[dad07]

Kc Yet another awsome job! A very cool piece of history in the automobile industry!
A great write up!

Its always nice to here from you on the forum!

Hope you are recovering well from the injury and you have been in my prayers.

no TaDa? did I miss it?

Great Job Kc! Loved it!

[kingofsorrow]

amazing. what a lovely thing you've done by giving this piece of automotive history the royal treatment.

[kc's]

Kc Yet another awsome job! A very cool piece of history in the automobile industry!
A great write up!

Its always nice to here from you on the forum!

Hope you are recovering well from the injury and you have been in my prayers.

no TaDa? did I miss it?

Great Job Kc! Loved it!

TADA buddy

u r cool - truly that is what friends are for - to remind u when u r forgetful

thanks Dad07 - Thank you so much for upholding me in yr prayers, I am blessed by yr thoughtfulness

Be bless always


amazing. what a lovely thing you've done by giving this piece of automotive history the royal treatment.


Thank you buddy for your kind words, you are right :iagree: