Basic Information and History

The Humber Hawk was the Rootes Group's large four-cylinder family car, and in 1957 the all-new Series I was introduced, the first Hawk with a unitary body. The styling drew clear inspiration from contemporary American cars, with a spacious six-seat cabin, curved windscreen and wide chrome trim, while the car retained its British character with a solid, well-appointed interior. Under the bonnet sat the pushrod-operated 2,267cc four-cylinder engine, mated to a four-speed manual gearbox with column shift, and as an option the car could be ordered with an electric overdrive of the Laycock de Normanville type. The same body was used the following year as the basis for the six-cylinder Super Snipe, which says something about the level of ambition Rootes had for this model.

This example is a 1958 Humber Hawk which, according to the seller, has always been sold in Sweden and remains in original condition. The car has had a total of 7 owners. The odometer reads 9,999 kilometres, a figure the seller cannot guarantee and which should be viewed in light of the car's age. The seller states that much of the paint is likely the original from 1958. There is no loan on the vehicle and no deductible VAT. The car last passed inspection on 29 June 2017, and various spare parts are included in the sale.

Equipment and Options

• Electric overdrive on top gear, original equipment
• Four-speed manual gearbox with column shift
• Various spare parts included

According to the seller, the car is in original condition and no modifications or later alterations have been made.

Condition

Body and exterior: The paint shows both scratches and some paint damage, which the seller explains by the fact that most of the paint is likely original from 1958. The body has a dent in the right front door but is otherwise described as good considering the car's age. The windscreen has light scratches from the wiper arms, while the other windows are in good condition.

Interior: The driver's seat has a small tear. The dashboard is somewhat dry-cracked and has a small hole on the right side. The headliner has minor damage near the C-pillars on both sides. Otherwise, the interior is in original condition.

Tyres and wheels: Tyres and wheels are, according to the seller, in good condition.

Mechanics and function: The engine starts and runs faultlessly according to the seller, but has an older repair on the engine block that was already present when the current owner bought the car. The starter motor can sometimes slip. There is some leakage from both the engine and gearbox. The gearbox is described as being in good condition and shifts faultlessly, and the clutch works as it should. The brakes pull to the right under hard braking. The sensor for the engine temperature gauge is broken, so the gauge does not work. The fuel gauge shows correctly when the ignition is on, but at start-up it shows almost full or full. The trip meter and all exterior lighting work, and the dashboard is free of warning lights. The car is drivable as it stands.

Service History

The car does not have a full service history, and there are no receipts or other documentation to substantiate its service record. The last inspection was carried out on 29 June 2017.

Summary

A Swedish-sold 1958 Humber Hawk Series I in original condition with the sought-after electric overdrive as factory equipment. The car likely retains much of its original paint and carries clear signs of its years, with scratches, paint damage, a dent in the right front door, and wear in the interior. Mechanically it starts and runs, the gearbox works well, but there are known issues such as an older repair to the block, some leakage, a starter motor that sometimes slips, brakes that pull to the right, and a broken temperature sensor. Various spare parts are included. An honest and unpolished preservation-class car for anyone who appreciates a British 1950s car with American lines.