Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

D4B · Joined: 28 Dec 2010 Posts: 2083 Location: Hampshire UK

While watching Sky 369 (Vintage TV - music channel)
I saw this video..............

Is it an Austin Champ?

http://youtu.be/HQ94hHSOalI

BigJohn · Joined: 01 Jan 2011 Posts: 954 Location: Wem, Shropshire

D4B · Joined: 28 Dec 2010 Posts: 2083 Location: Hampshire UK

Thanks bigjohn

BigJohn · Joined: 01 Jan 2011 Posts: 954 Location: Wem, Shropshire

Sorry, for the terse reply I was in a hurry, but a big thank you to yourself for the Teardrop Explodes vid, ah memories....

John.

Churchill Johnson · Joined: 11 Jan 2011 Posts: 359 Location: Rayleigh Essex

Got taken to the local town railway in Germany on my demob day from the army in one of these then almost twenty year's later as an MOT tester took my cousin's one for an MOT, passed.

Roger-hatchy · Joined: 07 Dec 2007 Posts: 2135 Location: Tiptree, Essex

There is one in the village here, still with the RR engine.

We had them in Germany in the 60's as well, used mostly by the forward OP's.

That Rolls engine sounded fantastic.

badhuis · Joined: 20 Aug 2008 Posts: 1391 Location: Netherlands

Fantastic off roaders.
Shared with a friend, we own two Champs.
First one bought three years ago for 1000 pounds. Has been standing for over 5 years. We renewed the brake seals. Wiring was a bit old and needed some new here and there. Did nothing to the engine and it runs very good.
Second Champ was bought for 400 pounds from a local farmer who bought it 11 years previously. He wanted to restore it, took out the engine and bought new brake shoes and brake cilinders. Then left it for the remainder 11 years. We put the engine in place, fixed the brakes and without much hassle the engine runs.
Excellent little cars. Compared to a Land Rover, a Champ is very comfortable. It has independently sprung 4 wheels and the space behind the steering wheel is much bigger. Which means on rough roads and off road, we can drive the Champ with speeds a Land Rover only can dream of.
We will take the Champs (from Holland) to the big 60 Anniversary Champ meet in the UK, end of June. 100 Champs to be expected, including rare preproduction versions etc.
If you can find one for sale locally, buy it. They are often very cheap and very reliable. Great fun to drive. Negative point: the fuel tank is very big (90 litres) and as such very expensive to fill!

Mog · Joined: 30 Dec 2007 Posts: 661 Location: Sydney

My older brother was one of the last to be called up for National Service in the U.K. He told me that he drove a Champ at 60 mph in reverse on an air strip. He said you could change up the gears whilst in reverse. Is that correct ? He was the young soldier pistol champion one year. He said he had a few pints before he did the shooting ! I think it was a Smith and Weston that he used, army issue.

Roger-hatchy · Joined: 07 Dec 2007 Posts: 2135 Location: Tiptree, Essex

Yes it had the same gears forward or reverse.
There was a change over lever to engage forward or reverse.

welder · Joined: 26 Nov 2007 Posts: 265 Location: North Warwickshire

JC T ONE · Joined: 30 Oct 2008 Posts: 1139 Location: Denmark

Mog · Joined: 30 Dec 2007 Posts: 661 Location: Sydney

And the French !!!

P3steve · Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 8:44 pm Post subject:

The only army's with cap badges on the front and back of there berets so the enemy couldn't tell if they were advancing or retreating.
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If the world didn't suck we'd all fall off

Richard H · Joined: 03 Apr 2009 Posts: 2148 Location: Lincolnshire, UK

A friend of our family has recently bought an immaculate Champ via Ebay. I'll have to take some pictures of it.

Edit- It's this one, and it now lives in Southend.

http://www.austinchamp.com/03%20Register/-theregister/FV1801/5000_6000/5200-5300/5285.htm
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Richard Hughes

D4B · Joined: 28 Dec 2010 Posts: 2083 Location: Hampshire UK

Hi Richard H,

I like it !!

Steve