Masseyboy89 Posted August 15, 2011 Share Posted August 15, 2011 Hi all, I bought what looks to me, to be quite an original champ, It was put in a barn and has been forgotten for over 20years, I wondered if anyone recognizes the vehicle at all, or could give me an idea what the markings denote. I am guessing '1308' is an sale number. Took some pictures today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
private mw Posted August 15, 2011 Share Posted August 15, 2011 nice find Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RattlesnakeBob Posted August 15, 2011 Share Posted August 15, 2011 Looks a grand find mate! ....look forward to watching her come back together on here! ........ I've often wondered though.. ..just how did Austin came up with the Champ????:cool2:..... "Here's what we'll do lads!...the Army has asked us to build them a 'proper' British Jeep right!.........and...we all know how good the Jeep was and still is....... agreed ? right then....so what we build, needs to be BETTER at absolutely EVERYTHING that the Jeep can do! ...right! right! thats agreed then.............so here's what we'll do...... ..we'll take a Jeep to pieces ...and if there is ANYTHING simple WHATSOEVER in one..we'lll make it 4 times as complicated in our version !..... right!.. ...oh yeah nearly forgot.......no matter what we build it out of......we'll also make it way WAY heavier than the Jeep as well..... .....OK!...lets get started!..... .....oh yeah by the way ........ignore that Land summat thing that Rover is building ...that thing'll never catch on!..........." :-D:-D:-D:-D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
listerdiesel Posted August 15, 2011 Share Posted August 15, 2011 West Sussex reg, mine was CJU394B (Leics) and fairly late on in the timescales of Champs. Peter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrisg Posted August 15, 2011 Share Posted August 15, 2011 registration is not on the champ register. is there a chassis number? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fv1609 Posted August 15, 2011 Share Posted August 15, 2011 1308 is the Lot No. for 57 BE 02 sold on the 3rd day of a sale 14 Sept 1967 It was sold to Hirsts for £52, it looks as if he bought a consecutive batch of 23 Champs ranging in price from £52 to £72 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ferrettkitt Posted August 15, 2011 Share Posted August 15, 2011 Hi all, I bought what looks to me, to be quite an original champ, It was put in a barn and has been forgotten for over 20years, I wondered if anyone recognizes the vehicle at all, or could give me an idea what the markings denote. I am guessing '1308' is an sale number. Took some pictures today. [ATTACH=CONFIG]49826[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]49827[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]49829[/ATTACH] Sign up to the Austin Champ register http://www.austinchamp.com/ one chap in particular (John Mastrangelo) should be able to help with its history. He also sorted out the history of one of my Ferrets. Keith Nicholson also does a monthly news letter as well which can be very informative http://www.austin-champ.co.uk/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Masseyboy89 Posted August 15, 2011 Author Share Posted August 15, 2011 1308 is the Lot No. for 57 BE 02 sold on the 3rd day of a sale 14 Sept 1967 It was sold to Hirsts for £52, it looks as if he bought a consecutive batch of 23 Champs ranging in price from £52 to £72 Not Joe Hirst? Ran the scrap yard just out of Whitchurch, Hampshire? thanks for the info, great!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Masseyboy89 Posted August 15, 2011 Author Share Posted August 15, 2011 registration is not on the champ register. is there a chassis number? I believe so, Its in the field now, will have a look when I walk the dogs tonight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Masseyboy89 Posted August 15, 2011 Author Share Posted August 15, 2011 Sign up to the Austin Champ register http://www.austinchamp.com/ one chap in particular (John Mastrangelo) should be able to help with its history. He also sorted out the history of one of my Ferrets. Keith Nicholson also does a monthly news letter as well which can be very informative http://www.austin-champ.co.uk/ Again, great, thanks for your help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ferrettkitt Posted August 15, 2011 Share Posted August 15, 2011 Again, great, thanks for your help. No problem I like Champs I just haven't the time or space to have one, now if I won the lottery and could afford to own the garage of my dreams the Champ would be one of my first buys. Along with a Ford Mustang the type that Steve Mcqueen drove in Bullitt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Masseyboy89 Posted August 15, 2011 Author Share Posted August 15, 2011 The plates read: 'please quote vehicle no. WN1 5702' Chassis no: 57 02 Vehicle no: 57 BE 02 6/veh/5531 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Masseyboy89 Posted August 15, 2011 Author Share Posted August 15, 2011 No problem I like Champs I just haven't the time or space to have one, now if I won the lottery and could afford to own the garage of my dreams the Champ would be one of my first buys. Along with a Ford Mustang the type that Steve Mcqueen drove in Bullitt. Great choice! what a gorgeous car, always remember the massive axle tramp when he did the backwards wheel spin in the car chase! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fv1609 Posted August 15, 2011 Share Posted August 15, 2011 Not Joe Hirst? Ran the scrap yard just out of Whitchurch, Hampshire? thanks for the info, great!! The very same! I bought all his old sales catalogues. For some years there was a mystery in that there were a large number of Champs sold off but there were no Ruddington catalogues that could identify when. The reason being is that most were sold through OSDD Branston (2 miles south of Burton-on-Trent) I have only 3 Branston catalogues & it is no coincidence that I was able to find them at Hirsts:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Masseyboy89 Posted August 15, 2011 Author Share Posted August 15, 2011 The very same! I bought all his old sales catalogues. For some years there was a mystery in that there were a large number of Champs sold off but there were no Ruddington catalogues that could identify when. The reason being is that most were sold through OSDD Branston (2 miles south of Burton-on-Trent) I have only 3 Branston catalogues & it is no coincidence that I was able to find them at Hirsts:D Wow! I can't believe that!! Hirst's are only about 2miles down the road! how ironic it ends up surviving and 44years later, ends up a couple of miles down the road! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ferrettkitt Posted August 15, 2011 Share Posted August 15, 2011 Wow! I can't believe that!! Hirst's are only about 2miles down the road! how ironic it ends up surviving and 44years later, ends up a couple of miles down the road! Very ironic and to still have its lot number on it, it would almost be a shame to over restore it. But hey its you're vehicle have fun with it and if you have the time post up some pics of the restoration. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Masseyboy89 Posted August 15, 2011 Author Share Posted August 15, 2011 Not really sure what to do with it at the moment, as you say, it seems a shame to paint it. I will get it running hitch it to a M416 and use it to ferry parts and tools about the field for the mean while. I've still got 2 mutts under restoration so after a bit of tinkering, the champ will be on the back burner for a month or two! the speedo reads about 5000miles, The old boy it came from said it never did a lot, apparently it was bought for periodically shunting boats about the yard, then eventually, it ended up getting laid up in a barn for at least a couple of decades. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fesm_ndt Posted August 16, 2011 Share Posted August 16, 2011 very nice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter4456 Posted August 16, 2011 Share Posted August 16, 2011 A really nice find - and with the original markings too! As the Champ record cards no longer exist, the markings or an in service photo are about your only hope of finding the Champ's service history. John Mastrelango is the Champ 'guru' and brilliant at deciphering the markings (contact him via www.austinchamp.com). What with all that and Clive filling you in on the history since it was sold, you're a very lucky chap! Personally I'd forget the Mutts and restore the Champ but that's just me!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RattlesnakeBob Posted August 16, 2011 Share Posted August 16, 2011 when was the Champ officially dropped as a British Army vehicle??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed Batchelor Posted August 16, 2011 Share Posted August 16, 2011 A really nice find - and with the original markings too! As the Champ record cards no longer exist, the markings or an in service photo are about your only hope of finding the Champ's service history. John Mastrelango is the Champ 'guru' and brilliant at deciphering the markings (contact him via www.austinchamp.com). What with all that and Clive filling you in on the history since it was sold, you're a very lucky chap! Personally I'd forget the Mutts and restore the Champ but that's just me!! I'll second that, shame it got left in a damp environment the floors will need some work but its virtually untouched since being auctioned off (except the slightly odd looking indicators!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Masseyboy89 Posted August 17, 2011 Author Share Posted August 17, 2011 A really nice find - and with the original markings too! As the Champ record cards no longer exist, the markings or an in service photo are about your only hope of finding the Champ's service history. John Mastrelango is the Champ 'guru' and brilliant at deciphering the markings (contact him via www.austinchamp.com). What with all that and Clive filling you in on the history since it was sold, you're a very lucky chap! Personally I'd forget the Mutts and restore the Champ but that's just me!! Thanks, Ive just sent him an email, will let you all know the result! I do Love my Mutts I'm afraid, the champ is quite an awesome bit of (over) engineering though! It will get it garaged up in a month or so when the weather starts to turn and I'll start a new resto thread. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Masseyboy89 Posted August 17, 2011 Author Share Posted August 17, 2011 I'll second that, shame it got left in a damp environment the floors will need some work but its virtually untouched since being auctioned off (except the slightly odd looking indicators!) Nothing to do with a damp environment, I reckon its all the rust spreading up the hill from your yard of jozz. :-D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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