VotW – Jowett Javelin and Humber Super Snipe

May 11, 2016 Michael Carnell Video of the Week, Articles, Highlights, Marques 7

I thought that for this go around of our Video of the Week (VotW) we would go for something that is almost unheard of these days – at least unheard of beyond the shores of the UK herself. So, let’s take a look back at the Jowett Javelin and the Humber Super Snipe.

While both of these marques and models would get you a bewildered look at the local DMV, and perhaps a talk about it being a serious place of business and not a source of pranks for your amusement, they were actually well known and fairly popular cars in their day.
Jowett and HumberTo quote Wikipedia on the Javelin, “The Jowett Javelin is an executive car that was produced from 1947 to 1953 by Jowett Cars Ltd of Idle, near Bradford in England. The model went through five variants labeled PA to PE, each having a standard and “de luxe” option. The car was designed by Gerald Palmer during World War II and was intended to be a major leap forward from the relatively staid designs of pre-war Jowetts. Just over 23,000 units were produced.”

If you are interested in more about the Jowett, check out Jowett Javelin and Jupiter: The Complete Story by Geoff Mcauley.

In contrast to the Javelin’s relatively short run, the Humber Super Snipe was  produced from 1938 to 1967 in various forms and designs. Starting in 1938 the Super Snipe originated in what might be thought of as typical form for that period. The design changed and morphed over time with the greatest change coming in 1958 with the introduction of the Series I model, this in contrast to the Mark I through IV of the past model. This new Series featured integrated fenders and unitized body and chassis.

For more information on the Humber Super Snipe, my recommendation is for you to pay a visit to the Humber Car Club where a wealth of information can be obtained.

Michael Carnell
Editor at Just British

Michael Carnell is the editor and founder of the Just British Online Motoring Magazine. As a lifelong British car enthusiast, he has owned or driven British cars of all ages from Austins and MGs to Jaguars and Triumphs. He currently owns a 1966 Vanden Plas Princess 1100 and a 1977 MGB. But there is always room for more - no matter what his wife says.

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7 Comments

  1. Great article and video. Thanks for digging this video up. Will share on our facebook page.
    Kip Motor Company
    Parts, Service, and Restoration for Uncommon British, European and Exotic Domestic vehicles.

  2. The British Transportation Museum in Dayton Ohio has two Humber Super Snipes-the first I have seen in the USA! The museum is a great place to visit-they have their annual show on May 28th.

  3. Actually, we at the British transportation museum have three humber super snipes, one of which is for sale. If interested contact us at britishtransportationmuseum.org

  4. If you go to britishtransportationmuseum.org there are several pictures of the car for sale. You may also see pictures of the other two cars as well as other cars in our collection. The car that is for sale is the gray one. Hope you find this helpful and I would like to invite you to come see our collection in person. We would be more than happy to share it with you.

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