Description
DEPOSIT NOW TAKEN.
A pretty much original Austin Champ which was originally owned by the Royal Marines. It was first registered for the road in February 1966. Since then the V5C shows that I am the eleventh owner. It is MOT and Road tax exempt. Since I bought the Champ in September 2022 it has been regularly serviced with all oil levels checked and topped up accordingly. New oil filter/ oil change and new plugs approximately 400 miles ago.
The Champ spent a few months with a well known Champ specialist during the winter of 2023/ 24 and came home after an inspection and overhaul of the front axle and braking system. New wheel cylinders where necessary, flexi-pipes and shoes. The master cylinder was re-built also. After this I replaced the brake reservoir bottle and the feed pipe from the bottle to the master cylinder. The new shoes are starting to bed in now and the braking is somewhere near to where it should be. The wiring was a bit of a mess when I took ownership, that has been stripped back with some of the extra and seemingly unnecessary wiring removed. The wiring is largely original with the correct water tight connectors. Everything electrical works as it should. All four hub seals have been replaced though the front near side is still prone to leaking. A new exhaust has been fitted which is a combination of the new Champ Spares system and an alternative silencer box.
There is a slight oil leak from the front end which I have not been able to track down. Axle oil not engine. Both engine and gear box oil levels are good. The engine starts and runs very well using E5 unleaded petrol.
There is a NATO style tow hook on the rear, the seats and canvas are in good order with the odd age related scuffs and scraps, nothing to get too excited about. Five very good Deestone tyres are fitted. The biggest error is that it is painted the wrong colour green. It is bottle green not Deep Bronze green as it should be. This is only really obvious when it is next to another military vehicle. If I were keeping the Champ the paint was next on my list of things to do.
It is missing its snorkel which someone recently pointed out that it did have back in a 2014 photograph. I have no idea where this went. I bought the Champ from Champ Spares, may be they have more of an insight to where it went. Its lack of snorkel never bothered me as I had no intention of wading that deep.
I bought the Champ after a life changing event changed the way I viewed my more typical classic car collection. Time heals and now I am keen to return to more regular classic car ownership and a vehicle that is better suited to my disabled daughter.
It is a very decent example and perfectly usable vehicle which I shall be sorry to see go but needs must. I am open to offers but please be reasonable, I am not going to give it away. I am not a Champ aficionado but happy to answer any questions as best as I can. I do not have a detailed history of this Champ though I do have a record and receipt for all works carried out in my time of ownership. Most people will call it a Jeep, most do not know what it is but it is great fun to drive and grabs attention wherever it goes. I have taken part in various local military events and remembrance day activities which have been a privilege to be part of.
