Humber FV1600

[Richard Coutts-Smith]

Only ever seen one small Black&White photo of a Humber with a snorkel, so for posterity here is one in colour. Obviously the Australian delivered Humbers (or Commers according to the plates) were supplied with these kits, as there seem to be more snorkels around than trucks.

[Humber-One-Ton Tom]

Hi Richard - great photo with snorkel - yeah, I've only seen old B&W pics before and never a real one. How easy are these to get over there in Oz?

I want one for my "Back from the Dead" Humber - I want to see what she can do underwater and in nasty places I would never dare take a lovely truck like yours.

Latest photos attached - taken last March, I've had no time to do anything since then but she's wrapped up dry. Still a long way to go but now it's believable she'll drive one day..."As Found" shot included to show how far she's come so far.
Tom
Portsmouth
UK

[Humber-One-Ton Tom]

And just a quick reminder of what that snorkel is for. (photo thanks to Les Freathy) Yeah, we've all seen it, but I just love this photo.

Mind you, if this looks extreme, there's a photo somewhere of these same crazy guys driving a Champ through the same puddle...really it's just 2 heads sticking out of the water. What a way to earn a living!

Tom
Portsmouth
UK

[Richard Coutts-Smith]

Hi Tom
Looks like you would have removed a lot of rust with the roof, also removed the top bracket for the snorkel. It was the "U" section with 2 vertical holes bolted on the "A" pillar, about where the end of the wiper blade is.
Had always assumed that the air intake was reversed and reused, but it is actually replaced with a cast aluminium face up intake, bolting in to the same holes. The steel snorkel "Stack" has 2 pins that locate it (by sliding in the holes in the bracket as described above) These 2 parts are then joined by a section of convoluted rubber tubing and I assume a couple of Jubilee clips.
Quite easy to fit, apart from the rubber tube being very stiff. The only problem is that the side mirror fouls when the door is opened.
As you are copying the proto-type soft top I'm sure that no one could say you were wrong however you fitted one.
There were 3 stacks available, but only one full kit (It always pays to ask, the seller did not realise what the other parts were for) I snaffled the kit, and both the other "Stacks" have since gone as well. Can honestly say I did not ever expect to see these on E-Bay, let alone have the seller drop them off for me on his way past. Some days you can just do no wrong.
I note in one of your pics that the spare tyre holding bracket appears to be in the middle of the support bar behind the passengers seat. Are these supposed to move? Mine is welded to the outside end of the slot. Can't work out how it is supposed to hold a spare in place, not that 10.50- 20.00's fit in the compartment, but I will eventually have a tyre that will fit. Can you explain how it actually works?
As well as, any idea what sort/set up of straps was used to hold down the tilt frame bars when they are in the stowed position behind the cab? I have 2 hinge brackets with an inch of webbing left in them. Nothing shown in the spares book.
Have just this week got my Humber on the road, even with brakes that work, which is always nice.
Temprature gauge will not work, and oil pressure switch needs to have the contacts cleaned up, just need to find someone with arms six foot long to reach in that far. (this would be that unique guy that can use the manual prime on the fuel pump as well).

"Wading Test" .Look for this thread in Post-war Military vehcles, not far down the list. There is a pic of the Champ wading test being re-enacted earlier this year, as well as an original pic of a Landy at sea.
Hoorooo
Rich