Beschreibung
THIS is my 1956 Austin Champ now being offered for sale. As it happens, being something of a Champ nut, I have a few more tucked away as well and so should you miss out on this example then please contact me regarding the others. This one is just how I like them. Instantly usable, mega pretty really strong structurally and with that stunning 3-litre Rolls-Royce engine. You will note that the correct spec turquoise engine/ all parts colour is all as it should be and therefore totally waterproof. These amazing vehicles were built to be able to drive through 6 feet of water!
You may well know all about Austin Champs if you are reading this, but you could also be new to the marque. So briefly: Austin launched the Champ in the post-war years as competition to the Land Rover. As it happened, there was no competition and the Champ became a victim of its own outrageous engineering!
The utilitarian Landie with its cart springs and gutless engine (yes, don't get angry with me if you adore early Land Rovers!!) was no match for the Champ with its 3-litre Rolls-Royce engine, all round independent suspension and five gears (yes five gears in those days!) in both forward and reverse. Obviously, it can also be driven in either 2 or 4-wheel drive. I once got up to about 25mph in reverse by which time I was in top gear. I terrified myself half to death!
The Champ was a built as a fighting military vehicle with mountings for machine guns etc. They were not toys. However, at three times the price of a new Land Rover, the Army found them too expensive and although they took a few thousand of them, they eventually resorted to what they knew best. They are the most amazing vehicles and do much fun as you can probably imagine.
Immaculate, totally restored examples are now changing hands for in excess of 20k. I prefer them in this used - and highly usable - condition. Ready to use, take to shows and enjoy. She is in superb condition structurally and floors look as though they have ben replaced with proper spec panels. Side panels are excellent too which is important. She drives really well and is so much fun as you can probably imagine. Foldaway hood is in excellent condition and looks like new. Everything works as it should. This is some of the info from the previous owner:
BODY PANELS SUPERB.
SERVED WITH BAOR (British Army on the Rhine) 56-66
ROT AND RUST FREE
I HAVE THOROUGHLY RESTORED THIS CLASSIC OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS
EVERYTHING IS WORKING AND I AM FUSSY
RIGHT DOWN TO THE TRIP AND DASH LIGHT BULB
STARTS FIRST TIME, NO SMOKE.
26K MILES BELIEVED CORRECT
DRIVES ALL WAYS AS SHOULD
TORSION BAR SUSPENSION, NO NASTY NOISES, SMOOTH ENGINE
ALL OILS CHANGED
BRAKE FLUID CHANGED
NEW BRAKE PISTON SEALS FRONT AND REAR
NEW WATER TEMP SENSOR
REFURBISHED CARB
ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP
TRACK RODS
VINTAGE SEAT BELTS
FOG LIGHT FOR MODERN CONDITIONS
NEW FUEL FILTER
BRASS TURN BUTTONS FITTED FOR SIDE SCREENS IF REQUIRED
COMES WITH MATS, TOWING STRIP, SPADE, PICK.
My classic cars are motoring antiques. Please do not confuse them with your one-year-old Range Rover. This car, for example, is 66-years-old and so will have quirks and faults in there somewhere. These are not always apparent when buying and selling classics which is what I do. I do not restore them, nor do I pretend that they are concours cars. The majority of them go out as they came in, and I continue to enjoy finding more - a skill which is becoming increasingly difficult as many of you will be aware. They deserve to be taken on as "family pets" and cared for through thick and then. They don't make them any more and demand now out-strips supply. Please bear all this in mind, and enjoy your classic car. I can also assist with delivery and so please ask for a quote.
I have now been established as a one-man band classic car dealer for 20 years and pride myself on my buying prowess and - due to small margins - my prices which I firmly believe are up there among the very best in the UK classic car marketplace.
Thanks, Martin. the details below.
