Lot Ended
Description
Solid and driving Champ; recent brake overhaul; hood and doors; well
kitted out; ready to show or go
The Austin Champ came about in the
late 1940s in response to an order from the British Army to develop an
all-terrain vehicle comparable to the American Jeep. The first prototypes were
tested in 1947 and production commenced in 1951.
Officially known as the
‘FV1801A Truck, ¼ ton, 4x4, CT, Austin MkI’, it featured an open four-seater tub
made of pressed steel with fully independent suspension all round using torsion
bars and double wishbones. Power came from a Rolls-Royce designed 2.8-litre
four-cylinder engine mated to an all-synchromesh gearbox with five forward and
five reverse gears – so it could theoretically achieve its maximum speed of
50mph going both forwards and backwards!
Although it proved to have
outstanding cross-country abilities, at £1,200 the Champ was far too expensive
and in the end only around 12,000 of the 15,000 vehicles ordered were made. Its
role was largely taken over by the Land-Rover which could perform 80% of its
tasks at half the price with much simpler maintenance.
This example was
first UK Registered in May 1980 which is presumably when it was De-mobilised. It
has spent some time living in Holland, having been correctly re-imported back to
the UK and issued with its registration number.
It comes with a hood and
front doors, along with its seats, duck-boards, extinguishers and shovel and
pick. A faded name painted on the bonnet shows that it was once called 'Fools
Paradise' by its one-time owner, a nice touch and no-doubt a bit of history to
research.
Complete with spotlamp and one whip-aerial, the current owner
has recently reconditioned the brake master cylinder and it has been
driving around onsite nicely - both backwards and forwards!
Ideal for use
offroad, or for joining the Military show-circuit, we would like to point out
the Brockhouse Trailer - the next lot which would be perfect for
hooking up - and with a bit of fettling, providing a reliable
6Kv.
Contact [email protected]
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