Classic Humber cars built in Midlands due to be auctioned for thousands

A collection of 16 vintage cars built in the Midlands, dubbed the 'world's best' is going up for auction.

A classic car collector is selling his Humbers - including one used by the Queen Mother, and another by King Edward VIII.

Reg Marshall started gathering the stunning motors over 60 years ago, and he the affinity was taken on by his son Allan, who's 64.

But he's decided now is the time to sell them, because of growing maintenance and storage costs.

Humbers are now very rare. The first one was produced in Beeston in Nottinghamshire in 1898, and the company had other sites in Stoke-on-Trent and Coventry.

But less than 1% of them still exist - the lowest survival rate of any British manufacturer.

But they have a lot of star quality. The cars were used by royals and Prime Ministers, including Sir Winston Churchill, who had five.

One of Mr Marshall's vehicles belonged to the Queen Mother - a 1952 Super-Snipe MKIII took her to church during the reign of her husband, King George VI.

And it bears a lasting memento - her finger nails are believed to have made marks on the grab handles inside the car.

One of Allan's favourite cars - a 1930s Snipe - was one he found in a scrapyard in Northamptonshire. It was used by King Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson, who was later known as the Duchess of Windsor.

The King's plan to marry the American divorcée caused a constitutional crisis that led to his abdication.

Allan, a former potato merchant, has never hidden away his collection.

He's always welcomed visitors to see his collection, which is stored near his home in Hull. Some travelling from across the world.

Allan’s cars are set to be sold by Hanson's Auctioneers and could fetch between £200,000 and £250,000.

The auction is due to take place on 17 April.