HIGHLIGHTS
- Highly original and rare example
- Great paint, bodywork and chassis
- Interesting ex. military history
- Only 12,130 miles from new
- Reliable and ‘ready to go’ mechanicals
THE APPEAL
Austin’s answer to the Land Rover, the 90-inch wheelbase Gipsy (G4 M10) followed on from the Austin Champ in 1958 until 1968 and was aimed at both civilian and military markets.
One of many bought by the Home Office, this particular Gipsy was stationed at a nuclear base in North Wales. It’s mission was to spring into action from it’s underground bunker, like something out of Thunderbirds, following a ballistic nuclear missile attack, coming to the rescue of any survivors.
Naturally (and indeed happily) never deployed, it spent most of it’s 32 years safeguarding the realm by not doing much at all, and as a consequence, this rare and desirable Gipsy is among the few classic 4x4 survivors from a bygone era, and still remains in a ‘time warp’ condition today.
THE HISTORY AND PAPERWORK
- First registered on the 20th May 1965
- V5 is present
- Three folders containing a wealth of associated paperwork
- Original Running and Maintenance Instructions
- Copy of Driver’s Handbook
- Service manual
- Various publications featuring Gipsy’s
- 2002 Austin Gipsy Register Magazine featuring CYY 308C on the cover
- Previous MOT’s with consistent ‘Pass’ rates
- Last (exempt) Pass MOT in July 2017 at 11,156 miles
- Taxed (exempt) until the 1st September 2023
This wonderful Gipsy displayed just 1,600 miles on the clock when it was decommissioned by the Home Office in 1997.
Residing in the county of Sussex in recent years, it has also been meticulously maintained and driven sparingly by it’s last three custodians. It has attended various shows and even won a “best at Show’ award in 2013.
THE INTERIOR
- The utilitarian cab looks correct in every detail
- Crackle-finish dash and original steering wheel
- Period Smiths Instrumentation and toggle switches
- No reported faults with the Electrical equipment
- Central air intake and heater
- Card door cards with some damage
- Vinyl leather-grain seats with a small degree of wear
- Starter handle and wheel brace
- Presentable 10 cwt payload space with bench seats for four passengers
- Rubber mats throughout
THE EXTERIOR
- Fabulous glossy dark green paintwork
- Very straight steel body by Austin’s associates Nuffield Metal Products
- No visible body corrosion
- Good window glass, fixtures and fittings
- Clear Lucas lighting and period Butler spotlights
- Working bonnet mounted emergency lights
- Pretty good hood and rear window
- Hood support bars and panels have since been repainted
- Undamaged galvanised front bumper
- Solid looking, clean and undersealed chassis and floor
- All five wheels are in great shape
- Excellent Goodyear Xtra Grip tyres
- Union flag included!
THE MECHANICS
- Clean and preserved engine compartment and bulkhead
- Reliable 2,199 cc petrol engine inherited from the Austin A70
- Producing around 72 bhp @ 4,000 rpm / torque of 112 Ibs/ft at just 1,500rpm
- All-synchro’ 4-speed transmission and 4x4 part-time (rear permanent) transfer gears
- Power take-off facility for other equipment
- Interchangeable Austin components
- Flexitor trailing-arm suspension
- Competent brakes
- Towing load of around 3,000 Ibs
- No known mechanical faults
- Any servicing requirements have been attended to by the vendor
- With a pull of the choke, it started and ran well during the photoshoot
SUMMARY
This endearing classic 4x4 represents a great opportunity to own a lesser-known but nonetheless very capable and now highly collectable workhorse and fun vehicle.
Having enjoyed a ‘relaxing’ military and civilian lifestyle, this mega-low mileage Austin Gipsy has clearly been well looked after and should perform ‘like-new’ on the road, or indeed off-road.
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only*.** Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.*
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