A car that may have helped a controversial royal romance blossom more than 80 years ago is coming up for auction in October.
Wallis Simpson, an American divorcee who won the heart of the future King Edward VIII, is said to have travelled around London in secret with her beau in a 1933 Humber Snipe.
And it could be yours when it goes under the hammer at Hansons Auctioneers on October 28 together with 15 more vintage Humbers. The Wallis Simpson-linked motor has a guide price of £20,000-£40,000 but most of the other classic cars have a guide price of £3,000-£5,000.
Allan Marshall, 64, from Hull, is auctioning off his remarkable motors, gathered over 60 years, first by his father Reg and then by him, because of spiralling maintenance and storage costs.
He said: “I was told the car had been used by Edward and Mrs Simpson because it was perfect for privacy. Thanks to its small back window (seen below) you couldn’t see who was inside.”
The vehicle’s age ties in with the couple’s burgeoning romance. They first met at a fox-hunting weekend in 1931. By 1934 they were allegedly lovers and Prince Edward was said to be besotted by her. He liked her domineering manner and abrasive irreverence toward his position. He showered her with money and jewels and in 1935 holidayed with her in Europe.
Edward’s affair with the twice-divorced American led to such grave concerns in British government the couple were followed by members of the Metropolitan Police Special Branch. An undated report detailed a visit by the couple to an antique shop, where the proprietor noted ‘the lady seemed to have POW [Prince of Wales] completely under her thumb’.
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When King George V died in 1936, Edward ascended the throne as King Edward VIII – but his reign was short. His plan to marry Wallis caused a constitutional crisis that led to his abdication that same year.
Rik Alexander, manager of the Humbers sale on behalf of Hansons, said: “If Special Branch followed Edward and Mrs Simpson around, the Humber would have certainly suited their needs. A place to hide from prying eyes. I think buyers will be intrigued by this car’s romantic royal connection and place in history.
“But the successful bidder will have to roll their sleeves up. They won’t be able to drive the car straight away. It’s a restoration project and needs its engine re-installing.”
It’s not the only car up for auction with royal pedigree. A Humber Supersnipe MKIII 1952 is said to have transported The Queen Mother at the Castle of Mey, Caithness, Scotland. Her finger nails are believed to have made marks on the grab handles inside the car. It also has a guide price of £20,000-£40,000.
Another Humber with an interesting past is a 1948 MKI Pullman which was used in 1965 Second World War film Operation Crossbow and 2015 movie A Royal Night Out.
Mr Alexander said: “I was bowled over by Allan’s Humbers. Every single one of them has a special story, a special place in history. The collection is a true celebration of British motoring history.
“Classic cars are soaring in value and are a good investment, particularly with global markets in turmoil right now. They’re something you can rely on and enjoy. Celebrity Humber owners include Jools Holland, Richard Branson and Chris Evans, who apparently contacted Allan for advice.”
Allan said: “I don’t really want to let them go, they’re so special to me. It’s taken me decades to build up the best collection of Humber vehicles in the world. They’re unmatched anywhere. But I’m in my 60s now and I won’t be here forever. Ideally, I’d love to see them sold as one lot and put on public display to be enjoyed by everyone.”
That’s something Allan, a retired potato merchant, endeavoured to do. His unrivalled fleet of vehicles used to be stored in Cleveland Street, east Hull, and he welcomed visitors from all over the world.
He said: “It wasn’t a museum but people treated it as such. It got a 5-star rating as a museum on Tripadvisor. Celebrities visited including Jools Holland, Stirling Moss and Michael Aspel – and they were all amazed.”
Humber Limited was listed as a manufacturer of cars, bicycles and motorcycles in 1887 after Initially starting out as a cycle business in 1868 owned by Thomas Humber. Humbers are claimed to be the first series production cars made in England. Produced in Beeston, near Nottingham, Stoke and Coventry, they gained admiration for their robust quality and reliability.
King George VI took delivery of his first Humber in 1935 and was so impressed he ordered 47 to be sent to British embassies around the world. Every prime minister of the day arrived at Downing Street in a Humber.
The sale, which has been delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic, will be held on October 28 at 12 noon. To find out more, email: [email protected].
