• Iconic British Army military vehicle • Present ownership since 2020 • Restored during the present ownership • Little used since completion Inspired by the wartime Jeep and built, but not designed, by Austin, the Champ lightweight four-wheel-drive military vehicle entered production in 1951.

Austin's major customer was the British Army, for whom the 'quarter-ton 4x4 combat truck' was manufactured in two main types: cargo and wireless-equipped, though there were various conversion kits for other duties.

Power was supplied by a 2.8-litre Rolls-Royce B40 four-cylinder petrol engine, while all-round independent suspension made for excellent handling both on and off road.

Unusually, the transmission boasted a central transfer gearbox with separate lever that enabled all five forward speeds to be selected in reverse.

Around 11,700 Champs were manufactured between 1951 and 1956 for the British Army, with another 1,200-or-so going to other customers, including the Australian Army.

This A...