1954 Austin Champ

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 Alvises. Although a civilian version of the Champ was offered, the vast majority were built for military use. Champ was actually the civilian name; officially the military version was the less catchy ‘Truck, ¼ Ton, 4x4, CT, Austin MkI’. Of the military vehicles, almost all were used as either basic cargo trucks or wireless vehicles.

This particular Champ was built in 1954 for the British military and was registered on its age-related registration number in 1997 for civilian use. The truck has been looked after in recent years by a serial Champ owner and shows four previous keepers on the registration document. It is very original, with what appears to be its original interior components and accessories such as a 'Jerry' can, capstan winch and shovel present.