c.1903 Humber 2¾hp Olympia Tandem Forecar

Frame no. None Visible (see text) Engine no. 1897 (see text)

Footnotes

• Acquired in 1998

• London-Brighton Run participant

• Eligible for the Pioneer Run and Banbury Run

• VCC Certificate of Date

With a background in bicycle manufacture, Humber began motor vehicle production as early as 1896, displaying motorcycles at 'The International Horseless Carriage Exhibition' that year. The production of Humber vehicles was carried on at both Beeston, Nottingham and at Coventry, there being some considerable rivalry between the two factories, the Beeston works being reserved generally for production of the more expensive models.

The Humber Olympia motor tandem is an ideal vehicle for two riders. All control is in the hands of the rear rider while the passenger is in the front, out of reach of dust and the exhaust gases, and conversation is easy. The front seat is most comfortably hung on springs and is excellently upholstered, luxurious to even the most delicate. The steering is unaffected by the absence or the presence of a passenger, and is easier than that of an ordinary tricycle. Thus did Humber describe their 1903 offering. The air-cooled engine was built under Phelon & Moore licence, featuring an automatic inlet valve and a bore and stroke of 80x77mm, giving a capacity of 403cc.

One of the earliest surviving Humbers, this tandem forecar was purchased at Brooks' Olympia auction in December 1998 (Lot 686). The vehicle was described as follows: 'Restored in 1989, this machine has regularly completed the Brighton Run and in 1995 was ridden from Paris to Bordeaux commemorating the Centenary of that early motor race and proving the reliability of this early machine.' The Humber had also successfully completed the 1998 London-Brighton Run. The machine is VCC dated as 1903 and is also eligible for the Sunbeam MCC's Pioneer Run from Epsom to Brighton, as well as the VMCC's Banbury Run. Notable features include Lucas lamps, a Desmo horn, and RAC London to Brighton plaques from 1993 and 1994. Accompanying paperwork includes photocopied technical literature, a selection of photographs, VCC Certificate of Date, some expired MoTs, and an old UK V5 registration document (registration 'DS 7442'). It should be noted that the dating certificate lists the frame number as '134871', as does the V5, while the somewhat indistinct engine number appears to be '1897' ('1297' on the aforementioned documents).


• Acquise en 1998

• Participant au Londres-Brighton

• Éligible aussi aux Pioneer et au Banbury Runs

• Certificat de datation du VCC

Un des plus anciens modèles Humber survivants, cet avant-train en tandem a été acquis à la vente Brooks à l'Olympia en décembre 1998 (Lot 686). Le véhicule était décrit ainsi: « Restaurée en 1989, ce véhicule a régulièrement effectué le Brighton Run et il a accompli en 1995 le parcours de Paris à Bordeaux commémorant le centenaire de la première grande course automobile de l'histoire, démontrant la fiabilité de cette très ancienne machine ». Le Humber a également participé au London-Brighton Run 1998. La machine datée de 1903 par le VCC est aussi éligible au Sunbeam MCC's Pioneer Run d'Epsom à Brighton ainsi qu'au Banbury Run du VMCC. Parmi ses éléments caractéristiques notables, citons ses lampes Lucas, sa trompe Desmo et ses plaques du London to Brighton Run du RAC de 1993 et 1994. La documentation jointe comprend de la littérature technique en photocopies, une sélection de photos, le certificat de datation du VCC, des vignettes du MoT (périmées) et un ancien document d'immatriculation V5 (n° DS 7442) émis au Royaume-Uni. Le numéro du cadre n'a pu être retrouvé au moment de la rédaction du catalogue, mais on notera que le certificat de datation mentionne le numéro « 134871 » comme sur le V5, tandis que le numéro « 1897 » peu lisible apparaît sur le moteur (« 1297 » sur les documents mentionnés ci-dessus).


It should be noted that these vehicles have either been on display in the museum or kept in store since Peter and Ulrike passed away. Their present mechanical condition is not known; accordingly, perspective bidders must satisfy themselves with regards to their condition, completeness, correctness, or otherwise prior to bidding.

On notera que depuis le décès de Peter et d'Ulrike ces véhicules ont été maintenus en exposition dans le musée ou entreposés. L'état actuel réel des mécaniques est inconnu et les éventuels acquéreurs devront s'assurer par eux-mêmes de la condition, de l'intégrité, de l'authenticité et autres points relatifs à la qualité des machines avant de porter leurs enchères.