How Marshalls Car Hire Began..

Reg Marshall had served in the armed forces, and during that time vehicles of all shapes and sizes had been driven by him. It was only when he was allocated to drive officers staff cars that he was first introduced to the joys of driving a Humber. When he returned to civilian life, Reg married and became involved in the wholesale potato business in Kingston upon Hull, and as business grew, he bought his first car. His memories of driving Humber cars in the army stayed with him, and when a second hand 1938 Humber Snipe (and funds) became available, an association with Humber began which is still with him today. Reg's son Allan was born in 1956, and Allan's memories of Humber in the Marshall household, became part of his childhood. The family Humber provided Reg and his family with many outings by the sea and in the countryside. In 1960, Reg purchased the car that was to become the flagship and prize car of the Humber collection. 'OUV 999' was a 1954 Pullman Limousine, with Thrupp & Maberley coachwork. Its original owner was Baroness Rothschild, and even in those early days, this was indeed a rare and special car. Reg taught his son Allan how to drive the car (Allan now says the car taught him!) and Allan quickly developed his father's love and respect for such a lovely make of motor car.

In 1976 Allan married Barbara, and of course they used 'OUV 999' plus two other Humbers which had been added to the collection, for their happy day. Little did they know then, that this was to be the first wedding by Marshall's cars, and the start of many more. From that day the Marshall's fleet was to be used by friends and family for their own weddings, and consequently, giving them more public appearances. This in turn created more interest and demand for the Marshall fleet, and as the collection grew over the years, so did the wedding car hire, all the time keeping the hire of the cars to customers, a very personal occasion. Without any advertising, it was more a case of people seeing the cars and personal recommendations from many satisfied customers that created the demand for the Marshall's services. Other recommendations started to arrive from the many local photographers who appreciated not only these splendid and practical saloons and limousines, but also the fact that Marshall's never 'double-booked' their cars out, which enabled them to stop at local parks and gardens, ensuring a very relaxing day for all. These qualities are still with Marshall's today, and Allan marshall is very proud to tell all his customers that they will be there forever with an old fashioned customer service, that he believes is second to none. These Humber cars are not 'taxis' but your own personal transport for your special day, and you can be assured of not only a top class professional chauffeur behind the wheel of the car but also a kind and friendly face who will be only too willing to carry out your every wish, to make your day a memorable and special one.

Besides the car hire side the collection is also in great demand to appear in National Classic Car shows throughout England, and have collected numerous concours awards in that time. The cars have also been readily available for charity work over the years, and Marshalls have always been proud to support good causes in any way they can through their fleet, by personal appearance or special transport and processions.

Allan has literally 'grown up' with this make of car, teaching his three children the qualities of Humbers that his father taught him, and feels that his cars have given himself, his family and of course his customers great pleasure to be associated with a part of British motoring history sadly no longer with us today. His greatest delight though, is that they have allowed him to meet so many kind and wonderful people over the years, and it will always as in the past be his great pleasure to show interested parties around his collection now, so they can understand why the name Humber means so much to him.