50 years of the Austin Champ

Whilst 1952 was not exactly a vintage year for the British motor industry, at least memories of the War were beginning to recede and, although the export market remained important, at home, people had more money in their pockets and were beginning to think about buying new cars again. Ford launched the convertible version of their all-new Consul and Zodiac - a sure sign that prosperity was returning. MG produced the YA, their first post-war sporting saloon, and Morris launched the Series 2 Minor. But highspot of the year was probably the Austin Healey 100/4, with Austin's other newcomers including the little A30... and the military Champ.

Intended as Britain's answer to the American Jeep, development work on the Champ had started back in 1945/46 with the Nuffield Mechanisations Gutty prototypes. The Gutty was an ugly little beast powered by a water-cooled 1800cc flat-four. Just three examples were produced and put through a series of military trials, but by 1948, the vehicle had been completely re-designed, emerging as the Wolseley Mudlark. Power was now provided by the superb Rolls-Royce B40 engine, producing a very respectable 69bhp form 2838cc, and the Mudlark boasted a host of advanced features.

By coincidence, 1948 was also the year that the Land Rover was launched and the Mudlark was every bit as innovative as the Land Rover was conventional. Features such as all-round independent suspension using torsion bars, rack-and-pinion steering, semi-stressed skin construction, waterproofed electrical system, and five speeds in both directions had never before been seen on an off-road vehicle.

Some 30 Mudlarks were produced and subjected to all kind of indignities by the military. Various improvements were suggested but the production vehicle, officially described as 'FV1801, truck, 1/4-ton. 4x4, CT, Austin Mk 1', was little changed from the Mudlark. But with the design largely finalised, the Ministry of Supply invited bids for the production contract and, in August 1951, it was awarded to Austin. Series production began at the company's Cofton Hackett factory in September of that year, and the first of what was to be some 12,000 vehicles, was delivered in March 1952. The price was a colossal £1100-1200 each - some £27,500 in 2002 money!

There had been design input from Rex Sewell, Alec Issigonis and Freddy Henry but unfortunately, even combined with the high price, this was not sufficient to ensure reliability. Users had soon listed a catalogue of defects, the most serious of which led to catastrophic failure of the rear axle. Many of the defects were minor and were ironed out in later production, but the mud stuck, and the Champ acquired a reputation for unreliability. The Army decided that it would be better off with the cheaper and less complex Land Rover and in no time at all, many of the Champs were passed to the Territorials, and all had been disposed of by 1966.

Although a civilian version, using Austin's A90 engine, had also been launched in 1952 - correctly called 'Champ' - it fared no better. True it was cheaper than the military vehicle, but nevertheless, with the all-conquering Land Rover at around £500, the price was sufficiently high to deter most buyers and very few were produced.

Some say the Champ was too sophisticated for the technology of the time, others, perhaps viewing the same coin from the other side, say that it was too complex for its own good. There is no doubt that it was genuinely innovative but however you look at it, the Champ was a failure. For years it was remembered only by those National Servicemen who had reason to loathe its mechanical complexity.

Today, maybe 1000 Champs survive worldwide and, in this its Jubilee year, a group of enthusiasts have decided to provide a birthday party at which there will be examples of the Gutty and the Mudlark, and upwards of 100 Champs.

The so-called 'Champ Camp' will take place as part of the massive War & Peace Show 2002 to be held at the Hop Farm Country Park, Beltring, Kent on 17-21 July. Enthusiasts will need no introduction to the KM War & Peace Show which bills itself as the 'largest military vehicle show in the world' - last year there were nearly 3,500 privately-owned military vehicles in attendance.

Click here to see the original press release and entry form for the CHAMP CAMP

Go to Champ Links...

See the latest news about the Champ Camp! (posted 26th April 2002)

Find out about the Champ Camp Convoy on the 18th July 2002

Someone's selling a Champ! Click here for more information