Description
For sale, through JOHN BROWN 4X4 LTD, Austin® Champ in Military Green (1966).
32, 599 miles. 4cyl Rolls Royce B40 Petrol Engine. MOT Exempt. Tax Exempt. Whip aerials with ATU’s. Acquired from a prestigious military collection.
Here we have for sale an Austin® Champ, in running and driving order. It was acquired from a significant military collection but due to the age of the owner we were able to procure it. We always prefer buying running vehicles from ‘old school, oily mechanics’ as they tend to give them the correct tinkering that they require.
Since arrival with us, the vehicle has received a brand new pair of batteries for the 24v system and has been subject to our usual checks and improvements. Externally, as can be seen by the photographs, this Champ is typical of one of the better variants and sports many of the items one would hope to see such as the folding canopy roof, whip aerials, fuel tanks, pioneer tools, bridging plate and correct period military tyres. There is also a rear mounted spare as there should be, and it is nice to see the military lighting and reflectors all still in place.
The interior is standard, as we like to see on a ‘good champ’ – it still has both wiper motors, and there is a first aid kit situated in the correct location. The correct period seating still survives, along with the wooden-slatted floor protectors.
Out on the road, anybody who knows about these superb, english made, Rolls-Royce engined, RHD Jeeps will know just how well they drive – they are far superior to a Series Land Rover® as they enjoy a far more refined gearbox, a more refined and powerful Rolls-Royce engine and fully independent suspension. Driving a Champ is a smooth, powerful and relaxed experience – and this one is no exception to the rule. The party piece to these vehicles is they will drive as quickly in reverse as in forward gears. This is due to the reverse lever, which gives all gears in reverse!
Champs are ideally suited for summer runs to the pub with roof up or down (very simple to put up and down – a couple of clips and some elbow grease). In the same manner as a Series Land Rover®, the windscreen can be demounted onto the bonnet if required. This affords ‘wind in the face’ driving…. should you want to do this!
In summary, the Austin® Champ affords the user a truly British driving experience. They were manufactured to the highest standards which has afforded them a long, robust life. Finding good examples in this condition is not an easy task, and this is causing residual values to rise sharply year on year. They are therefore an ideal ‘toy’ that will also appreciate in value over time, whilst you use and maintain it.
SOLD
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