Sold | 1953 Austin Champ

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£8,156

1953 Austin Champ

United Kingdom • 9 Apr 2025

Vehicle Details

AI Listing Summary

This is a refurbished Austin Champ, a British Army vehicle from the 1950s, civilian name 'Champ' military name ‘Truck, ¼ Ton, 4x4, CT, Austin MkI’. It features a Rolls-Royce engine, refurbished by a Rolls-Royce director. The car includes authentic military fittings and a new hood and upholstery. Recent maintenance includes new starter motor, carburettor repair kit and exhaust (2018), replacement fuel pump (2020, £195.85), servicing 2021 (£384.98) and brake fettling / fresh fluid (2024, £352.28).

Condition

7

While the vehicle has been restored and regularly serviced, it exhibits characteristics of 'Very Good' condition due to its age and prior military use. The presence of authentic features like the bridge plate and antenna mounts suggest it's not in a pristine, fully restored state, but rather a well-maintained survivor. Recent servicing and documented repairs indicate ongoing care, but the original purpose and age temper the assessment, preventing it from being rated as 'Excellent' or higher.

/ 10

Transmission:

[Transmission]

Chassis No:

3023

Odometer:

[Odometer Reading]

Reg Number:

6333 UN

RHD/LHD:

RHD

After the success of America’s Jeep in the Second World War, the British Army was eager to have a multi-purpose light truck of its own.

In spite of competition from the Nuffield Organisation, Austin was awarded the contract to build 15,000 vehicles from a former aircraft factory at Cofton Hackett, on the outskirts of the Longbridge works, which was specially adapted for the purpose.

Built from 1951 to 1957, Champs were quite unlike anything Austin had attempted previously.

A four-wheel-drive quarter-ton truck, it utilised the straight-four, 2838cc Rolls-Royce B40 engine.

The Rolls-Royce B-series engines were developed specially for use in British Army vehicles and, in their various guises, also powered the Daimler Ferret, Humber Pig and six-wheeled Alvis’.

Although a civilian version of the Champ was offered with an Austin A90 engine, the vast majority were built for military use.

'Champ' was actually the civilian name; officially the military version was the less catchy ‘Truck, ...