simondema

Hi all I have made inquiries regarding the past history of my Austin Champ 1624. I received the following email from the Austin Champ Registry: RV WAS GEO/R/3051 AND DIS 15 JAN 53: THIS WAS THE ONLY CHAMP WITH THIS RV AND DATE WHICH INDICATES THAT IT WAS SENT TO A UNIT ALONE. GEO WAS GEORGETOWN IN SCOTLAND AND THIS MEANS THE UNIT WAS EITHER IN SCOTLAND, NORTHERN IRELAND OR NORTHERN ENGLAND. THE S/O DATE OF 11/1/67 AND AT RUDDINGTON MEANS EX TERRITORIAL ARMY 1960'S IN ENGLAND OR WALES. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT SOLD THROUGH WD SALES BUT WAS PURCHASED BY PRIVATE BID BY AUSTRALIAN DEALER. UNLESS YOU FIND MARKINGS ON VEHICLE [sEE WEBSITE], I'M AFRAID NOTHING MORE IS AVAILABLE. Does anyone know how or where I can get further information on my vehicle? I would think that if it was the only vehicle to be sent to a unit, then it would not be too hard to find. I assume such units are non-existent at present, but surely someone must have kept records. Any information will be much appreciated. Regards Simon

I certainly do! However, I am really happy with my other Champ (1624) I just purchased and I am looking forward to restoring it to its former glory. I would still like to get details (chassis number, engine number, etc) of my old Champ so I can update the Champ register and hopefully trace its history. Simon

Hi all I drew a huge blank with getting any information from the RTA in Sydney, regarding any details about my Austin Champ I purchased back in 1986. Therefore I will post this photo in the hope someone may have seen it/remember it or knows someone who may. I sold it in pieces, probably around 1988 to a car dealer in Sydney. Thanks Simon

Thanks, Wayne. I have already bookmarked the page. Simon

Further to this thread, while wide awake at 2am, I happened to come across this modelling website in the UK where one of the modellers had just finished an Austin Champ model. Apart from the minute details, I really liked the colour he chose for the vehicle. Although the authentic colour, I was never quite taken with the high gloss green. I wonder if anyone can tell what colour he used, as I might use the same once I start the restoration of my vehicle.. http://www.militarymodelling.com/forums/postings.asp?th=68697 Thanks Simon

That looks fantastic. What a great finish. Did you use brushes, rollers...? Simon

Hey Rick I have been reading a few posts about this and there seems to be a general consensus about that. It appears that "coach painting" although more time consuming, can achieve the same if not better results than spray painting, or so they say. The technique used and preparation of the surface must be flawless to achieve such results. I believe they also use camel hair brushes, with the brand "Purdey" used by a number of them. I guess I will eventually need to work out what I use as a primer, undercoat and top coat for the chassis and the body/panels. As far as the engine, I think I read you don't need to use a primer, but one of the good quality engine paints is sufficient. Simon

That is an excellent site, thanks. I also went to the Old Classic Car website and they have a lot of information as well. Thanks Simon

Thanks, Pete. Appreciate your response. Simon

Hi all As the time of finally acquiring my Austin Champ draws nearer, I wanted to ask a basic but relevant question regarding the painting of the vehicle. I am seriously considering getting the whole body and engine soda blasted. I will then prime it (except for the engine) and then paint it in its original Gloss Green colour. As I wanted to maintain its authenticity, I was wondering what they used to paint army vehicles in 1952? Would they have used brushes? I would not imagine they would have used spray equipment in the field. All the restored Champs I have seen, although they look absolutely stunning, seem to me to be very shiny. Was this how they came out of the factory? Bit confused, so any help would be appreciated. Regards Simon De Marchi

Hey Jack Love the photos of the cutaway Champ! And I especially like the way they have attached the lifting straps.. Ironically your engine number is 3097 and mine is 3079. Looks like your restoration is coming along really well, mate. Keep up the good work and the photos. Cheers Simon

Welcome! Glad to have another Champ lover on the site. Simon

Hi Ben Welcome aboard. Although not into trucks (more Champs and jeeps) it looks a really nice truck. Great restoration job. Simon

Ola Ruth! Welcome to the Forum Simon

Steve I noticed you said sandblasting. Not that I know much about all this, as I am still learning. I made enquiries regarding my Champ and the general consensus seemed to be that Soda Blasting was a gentler way of cleaning the chassis, panels and engine. I had to search a bit here in Sydney for people who would do it, but after the process the metal parts are left with a very thin layer of Bicarbonate of soda which in itself is a bit of a rust inhibitor. The Soda blasting is also a better method for the engine, as the particles will not be as hard on it as sand blasting, and any copper or brass fittings will not be potentially damaged. I am sure though there are people on this Forum who know more than I do, but I just wanted to pass on what I have been told. Great thread. Simon

Hey Steve Brilliant thread, mate. It will certainly help me when I start my Austin Champ restoration. Simon

Yes, I believe that was the exact article. Very informative. I also emailed the technical department at Castrol Australia and received a phone call yesterday from one of the technos in Melbourne who spent the better part of 40 minutes on the phone explaining the intricacies of matching old military spec oils to the new formulas. Very knowledgeable guy. I will post his reply but his basic premise was he preferred to start with a modern oil which was as close as possible to the original spec, then fine tune it according to the performance the vehicle showed. Told me to keep a "diary" to see how the engine/gearbox/diffs etc performed. Here is something of what he said: Engine: Castrol 'GTX 20W50' - there's actually 2 versions of this product, one in a white pack and a slightly higher spec version in a grey pack. Both are mineral-based oil and I would expect quite suitable for the application below. We do have a slightly heavier grade oil called Castrol 'Edge 25W50' that may also be worth considering Gearbox: The original spec appeared to be calling for a SAE 90 grade, non-EP (non-extreme pressure) automotive gear oil Most modern gear oils would be unsuitable, what you are trying to target here is something like a SAE 90 gear oil meeting API GL 1 (non-EP type designation) If you can find an SAE 50 engine oil then this should perform a very similar job to the SAE 90, API GL 1 type oil. These oils aren't common in retail outlets but they do exist (many trucks run them in certain manual transmissions) It didn't occur to me during our discussion but I would consider running the Castrol 'Edge 25W50' in this gearbox Edge 25W50 is a multigrade, but a very shear stable one and should work quite well. Differential: Castrol 'EPX 80W90' - this is very common. We could probably even go heavier 'EPX 85W140' but I would start with the EPX 80W90 and see how that works for you. I haven't even started on the different types of grease! Simon

Hi all Just found the answers on another part of this forum, back in 2009. Thanks Simon

Hi all I have been doing some research on the modern day version of oils used in the Champ, and there seem to be differing opinions on the various types. I have on the original documentation the following that was written by the previous owner: H.D S.A.E. 30 - ENGINE OIL, GEARBOX, AIR CLEANER, OIL FILTER AND DISTRIBUTOR E.P 50 - FRONT AXLE, REAR AXLE AND ROAD WHEEL HUBS Can anyone verify the above is correct, and what is the modern equivalent (whether BP, Shell or Castrol or any other make) that could be used and not be detrimental to the old girl! Thanks Simon

Hi all I know this is an old post, but just looked at my Austin Champ plate and noticed it it had B269 stamped on it. Is this common? Simon

Fantastic! Thank you so much, Richard. I somehow don't remember it being on my original 1987 Champ, thus making me wonder whether it was after all a Rolls Royce engine!! Simon

HI all I noticed recently while looking at my new purchase a small round brass screw knob sitting next to the thermostat unit on the Rolls Royce B40 Mk 1 5A. When I asked the owner, he told me they used this to insert small pieces of paper into it with the relevant modifications they carried out to the engine. Has anyone ever seen this? Simon

Hey RR The Champ is coming along really well, and it's good to see your partner is also getting stuck into it! I have finally managed to find a vehicle here in Australia, and will be bringing it down to Sydney in the next few months. It is remarkably free of rust, although as always, it has signs of rust around the door sills and floor panels. What did you use to replace the rusted areas? Did you just cut them out, then welded the new metal on top or did you treat it first with an etch primer? Luckily my vehicle does not have huge areas, but I think they are a bit fiddly. Any information would be appreciated. Keep up the amazing work. Simon

Hi Ryan Welcome to the Forum. I too just joined a couple of weeks ago, my interest being Austin Champs. You will find a wealth of information on this forum. Good luck. Simon

Thanks for the replies I have discovered that one of the Champs I am looking at has an engine which seems to have been fitted to a FFW vehicle, even though it's an Australian Cargo vehicle. How that engine (60085) ever ended up in this vehicle is a bit of a mystery. Regards Simon