1904 Humber 8.5HP Twin-Cylinder Two Seater

Beginning in 1868, Thomas Humber set up a business as a cycle maker, which eventually evolved into a motorcycle, tricycle, forecar, and motorcar manufacturer. He was not alone, as many other bicycle manufacturers of this era were doing the same thing. Thomas Humber's ambitions even contained the idea of building airplanes, but his death in 1910 brought those dreams to an end. During the latter part of the 19th Century, Humber was absorbed by the H.J. Lawson empire, manufacturing motorcycles, and De Dion Bouton-type tricycles, however, by 1900 relations with Lawson were severed and Humber Ltd. commenced motor car manufacture independently.

By 1901, engineering designer Louis Herve Coatalen had become an influential member of the Humber design staff. Coatalen would later go on to be instrumental in Sunbeam's racing success.

By 1903, Humber's sales catalogs included single, twin, and four-cylinder automobiles. In 1904, John Budge joined the team, and it was shortly after this that Humber began offering a more powerful version of their smaller cars, powered by a two-cylinder, 1.3-liter engine, which developed 8.5 horsepower. The cars drove through a three-speed gearbox and were normally equipped with a four-seat touring body. These cars were sold by Humber for roughly £260. Total production is not known; few exist in modern times.

By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2015