Your opinions please; Humber Sceptre Mk3

Post by **Onne** » Sat Mar 28, 2009 2:43 pm

Hello all,

Went to see a Morris Minor for a fellow message board member today.
Car was sadly rather rotten (repairable)

In the barn there I spotted the following:

It's a 1973 Humber Sceptre Mk3 with 1725cc Rootes lump (with overdrive etc)

I managed to get some photo's of the interior and the underside:

Interior

It's not been on the road (officially) for "a while" and is thought to have done less than 12k miles.

The only rust I have found is on one of the doors, there are some superficial bubbles on the rear door.

Any idea how much it would be worth?

I know the asking price, it's not a lot... (150 quid before haggling)

Post by **mckenzie** » Sat Mar 28, 2009 2:55 pm

I would buy it for that price its got to be worth a good few hundred at least with an mot or even if you stripped it and sold the bits on ebay you would make a few quid looking at the photos it looks to good to turn down

tony

Post by **rayofleamington** » Sat Mar 28, 2009 3:29 pm

Hi Onne,
I'm extremely tempted myself (depending on what's wrong with it and whether it was manufactured pre Dec 72)! So if you don't want it let me know ;-)

I've a hankering for a pre-73 Rootes car as I've never had one yet. There were some nice 4 door family cars of that era (When Margaret passes her test she can keep the Eurobox if I can get something interesting). Despite having 2 to 3 years worth of projects lined up I've started looking for more, and recently wondered about a Hillman Avenger..

I presume there was a reason why it was laid up - not due to rot so maybe engine? The rootes lump is not impossible to get hold of.

Post by **stiguk** » Sat Mar 28, 2009 3:31 pm

go for it mate looks ok from the pic
seams like a tidy car

Post by **Onne** » Sat Mar 28, 2009 3:44 pm

That is the problem, I´ll need to see if it was manufactured before 31-12-1972...

Reg is KAO 755L

Before anyone else goes through the bother:
Date of Liability 31 08 1989
Date of First Registration 07 03 1973
Year of Manufacture Not Available
Cylinder Capacity (cc) 1725CC
CO2 Emissions Not Available
Fuel Type Petrol
Export Marker Not Applicable
Vehicle Status Unlicensed
Vehicle Colour GREEN
Vehicle Type Approval null

The bad points (in 6 and 12 month variety):
6 Months Rate £101.75
12 Months Rate £185.00

Is there any way of seeing how many owners it has had?

Post by **stiguk** » Sat Mar 28, 2009 3:51 pm

has he got anypaperwork with it
i think it might tell u on there

Post by **StaffsMoggie** » Sat Mar 28, 2009 4:03 pm

That looks well worth rescuing. The Rootes Group Hillman Hunter shape cars were a very pleasant car to drive, The Humber version being the top of the range with the 1725 engine, overdrive and that lovely interior.

Like all Rootes Group products the parts situation is nothing like that of the Minor's, particularly body panels which are virtually unobtainable new. Having said that there are some used bits around. Mechanical and service parts are no problem.

A Sceptre makes a superb daily driver, I had one a while back and they are a welcome sight at shows for their rarity.

Post by **mal** » Sat Mar 28, 2009 4:15 pm

Go for it Onne... easily worth that in spare parts alone and if it's tax free and doesn't need much doing to it you're on a winner

I personally prefer the older shape Sceptre but you can't have everything....

I've a hankering for a pre-73 Rootes car as I've never had one yet

Ray..... I've never owned a Rootes group car till I bought this 1966 Gazelle off my mates son, must admit I'm well impressed, plenty of power with the 1725cc engine, loads of comfort and a lovely wooden dashboard and door cappings, steering nice and light as a Moggy is.<br>

<br>

Mal

Post by **Onne** » Sat Mar 28, 2009 4:21 pm

I will more than likely go for it... just the matter of where to store it before it goes on the road...

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sat Mar 28, 2009 5:28 pm

Strong cars - won the Marathon Rally despite Andrew Cowan's driving!

Post by **paulhumphries** » Sat Mar 28, 2009 6:15 pm

I like Rootes cars. I got hooked with a Sunbeam Rapier MKIV (had two

) and they are underrated.
A mate bought a 3 year old Humber Sceptre around the same time and I was impressed but still way out of my price range so this one would defiantley tempt me.
My mates rotted everywhere which makes me wonder what hidden problem this might have. Strut tops like Ford's of the same era, rear shock turrets and A post area of inner wing were the worse aspects.

Paul H.

Post by **Onne** » Sat Mar 28, 2009 8:16 pm

Going by what I have seen and felt underneath I am confident...

Post by **toginthemog** » Sat Mar 28, 2009 9:21 pm

Iwould go for that you will be well pleased with driving it at 17 I bought my bosses one TPX630F what a nice car to drive electric overdrive 1725cc all leather walnut dash at 17 thought I was the dogs bits. a 3 year old car at 17 was the reason I got stopped so much better a car than most the coppers in littlehampton sussex

Post by **markc** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 4:25 pm

If you can get that for £150 what have you got to lose? I would have had great fun with that!

Post by **superchargedfool** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 5:36 pm

Looking at the underneath and inside photos my only comment would have to be why have you not already bought it?

Looks a peach for that sort of money. £150 is nothing compared to the car you will be getting.

Post by **Onne** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 6:33 pm

I have bought it

Just need to arrange collection of it now.

Post by **d_harris** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 6:39 pm

Feel free to drop it off at my house

Post by **tonym911** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 7:05 pm

Beautiful cars both, the Gazelle already and the Sceptre potentially. Sceptre was a highly desirable choice when I was a lad.

Post by **mckenzie** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 7:18 pm

well done

Post by **paulhumphries** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 8:06 pm

Onne wrote:I have bought it

Just need to arrange collection of it now.

A frame is available again if you want it.

Paul H.

Morris Minor Owners Club