In the mid fiftes Bruce Seton starred as Fabian in a Television series ‘Fabian of Scotland Yard’ and the exciting opening sequence had Inspector Fabian seated in the rear seat of a Humber Hawk with a microphone to his mount saying in a terse voice ‘ This is Fabian – Of Scotland Yard’

Shot on film (rather than transmitted live from the studio as was the norm at the time) with Bruce Seton, stiff upper lip clamped on a pipe, as the dedicated Fabian

ABOVE – Bruce Seton as Fabian of Scotland Yard

Now I mention the car being the Humber Hawk and I was reminded of this whilst at a local Agricultural Show today, seeing, among the Vintage Cars arena, a Humber Super Snipe – but a convertible – a car I have never seen before.

1 9 5 4 – 1 9 5 6 (UK)
39 x 30 minute episodes

This legendary British police show from the 1950s – fictionalised cases of Scotland Yard’s real-life Detective Inspector Fabian.

Originally transmitted in the popular Saturday night slot, Fabian of the Yard was later moved to Wednesday – I do recall it in the mid week slot

The show was sold to America, where it was screened as Inspector Fabian of Scotland Yard or – in reference to the hero’s black Humber Hawk – Patrol Car.

A few episodes were edited together to make feature-length productions released in cinemas: Fabian Of The Yard (1954) and Handcuffs, London (1955).

Bruce Seton died, aged 60, in September 1969 at his home in London after a period of ill health. 

I liked Bruce Seton – and liked him as Fabian – and I always think that he should have had a much more high profile career than he did