Rick W Posted October 19, 2007 Share Posted October 19, 2007 I dont know a lot about these particular vehicles. Were most of them built primarily by use for the military, or were some built for civvy use as well? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Farrant Posted October 19, 2007 Share Posted October 19, 2007 I dont know a lot about these particular vehicles. Were most of them built primarily by use for the military, or were some built for civvy use as well? Rick, The War Office trialled them, but do not think any went in to service, the Home Office bought several large contracts of them in various forms, long and short wheelbase for use by the Civil Defence. The rest were civilian use, seem to remember they came out around 1958 and last ones were about 1964/5. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marmite!! Posted October 19, 2007 Share Posted October 19, 2007 Here's one & trailer spotted at Bolero this year.. not sure how this PW Vehicle got past the Guards :whistle: http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e132/safariswing/Thameside%20museum/bb80b57a.jpg[/img] http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e132/safariswing/Thameside%20museum/7250de0e.jpg[/img] http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e132/safariswing/Thameside%20museum/1136a144.jpg[/img] http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e132/safariswing/Thameside%20museum/e247084d.jpg[/img] http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e132/safariswing/Thameside%20museum/e549eda7.jpg[/img] & another Civil Defence vehicle spotted.. http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e132/safariswing/Thameside%20museum/1efb561a.jpg[/img] http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e132/safariswing/Thameside%20museum/34de7ac8.jpg[/img] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick W Posted October 19, 2007 Author Share Posted October 19, 2007 Nice pics Lee. Do you know who supplies parts for them Richard? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
da bomb Posted October 19, 2007 Share Posted October 19, 2007 My mates the parts man for the Gipsy register!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marmite!! Posted October 19, 2007 Share Posted October 19, 2007 My mates the parts man for the Gipsy register!! Get him to join the Forum :whistle: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted October 19, 2007 Share Posted October 19, 2007 I dont know a lot about these particular vehicles. Were most of them built primarily by use for the military, or were some built for civvy use as well? What you have in the picture is an Austin Gypsy G4M10, the swb with conventional springs. the Long wheel Base variant was the G4M15. the Gypsy Mk 1 has Flexitor independent suspension. engines were e2.2 BMC series C of both petrol and diesel; variety. there were civilian versions. the gear box was 4 speed full syncro 2 range on the G4 with independent front wheel only drive in emergency, although this was not on the vehicle data plate, only in the handbook. the main problem is the steel body work. they are beautiful things to drive and far superior to land rovers in every way. the diesel particular was reliable, and the box bomb proof.The G4 front hubs also has capstan hubs which were extremely effective. My first car J5569 a 1968 Austin Gypsy G4M10 , picture taken 1973, oh those were the days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted October 19, 2007 Share Posted October 19, 2007 Rick, The War Office trialled them, but do not think any went in to service, the Home Office bought several large contracts of them in various forms, long and short wheelbase for use by the Civil Defence. The rest were civilian use, seem to remember they came out around 1958 and last ones were about 1964/5. 1968, that was the date mine was made. There were 3 in Jersey at the time the St Helier traffic wardens had a M10 in zebra stripe , mine, and a M15 belonging to a bloke who worked on boats in particular an Ex Navy MFV called Black Shark that was in St Aubins harbour for years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick W Posted October 19, 2007 Author Share Posted October 19, 2007 There was one up for resto on ebay recently, and a diesel one, seemed very reasonably priced, hence the question. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abn deuce Posted October 19, 2007 Share Posted October 19, 2007 so Rick w your saying the steel bodys were prone to quickly rusting away ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted October 20, 2007 Share Posted October 20, 2007 so Rick w your saying the steel bodys were prone to quickly rusting away ? It was the Achilles heel. Especially when you lived surrounded by salt water :dunno: Really they were no worse than any of their time. Check the same places you would on a Landy of the time. Mechanically the gearbox is rare but very strong. Engine parts are easy , same as many old London Taxis. Body shape is more curved than Landy's but being steel easier to work on. the problem was Land rover had the market and Austins management policies. As long a chassis is OK the rest should be doable. Love to have one again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
da bomb Posted October 23, 2007 Share Posted October 23, 2007 Get him to join the Forum :whistle: I have given him the website, he also is into Scammell Explorers, so i should think he will find his way here...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted October 23, 2007 Share Posted October 23, 2007 Tell him i'm even prepared to share my Dodges parking space with him, for a Gipsy. :-D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeEnfield Posted October 23, 2007 Share Posted October 23, 2007 Tell him i'm even prepared to share my Dodges parking space with him, for a Gipsy. :-D he wouldn't need to share, if he got the explorer........... :whistle: :evil: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted October 23, 2007 Share Posted October 23, 2007 Yeah but don't you have misty eyed memories over your first car? :kissoncheek: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcspool Posted October 23, 2007 Share Posted October 23, 2007 Yeah but don't you have misty eyed memories over your first car? :kissoncheek: No. It was a Ford Fiësta . . . :roll: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeEnfield Posted October 23, 2007 Share Posted October 23, 2007 No. It was a Ford Fiësta . . . :roll: mine was a simca; :whistle: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted October 23, 2007 Share Posted October 23, 2007 mine was a simca; :whistle: Good motors, I've had a few Renault over the years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeEnfield Posted October 25, 2007 Share Posted October 25, 2007 Good motors, I've had a few Renault over the years. Suprisingly enough, it was, except when the flexi pipe linking the manifold downpipe and exhaust parted company,.....which it did on a (semi)regular basis..................thak about GROWL........... :whistle: After that went to the great rust hole in the ground, (or china :dunno:) it was replaced with a rear engines (THE REAL)SKODA. :-D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
croc Posted October 28, 2007 Share Posted October 28, 2007 I have given him the website, he also is into Scammell Explorers, so i should think he will find his way here...... I think that means me...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
croc Posted October 28, 2007 Share Posted October 28, 2007 I dont know a lot about these particular vehicles. Were most of them built primarily by use for the military, or were some built for civvy use as well? Rick, The War Office trialled them, but do not think any went in to service, the Home Office bought several large contracts of them in various forms, long and short wheelbase for use by the Civil Defence. The rest were civilian use, seem to remember they came out around 1958 and last ones were about 1964/5. The Gipsy was produced from '58 to '68 with production running to just over 22000. The mark 1 was produced as a 90" wheelbase with 'Flexitor' independent suspension. The mark 2 was introduced in 1960 and added a LWB 111" to the range with Flexitor front suspension and leaf springs at the back. For some reason there was never a mark 3 but the mark 4 was introduced in 1963 with leaf springs all round, however the Flexitor suspension was an option until 1965. They were built as a civilian vehicle but the Home Office did buy them in large numbers. A special version was trialled for the army. The results were favorable but too late to save them from British Leyland cuts in 1968. I know of 2 remaining complete Army Gipsys, a SWB (of 15 made) and a LWB (of 5 made) I will post pictures when I work out how... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
croc Posted October 28, 2007 Share Posted October 28, 2007 What you have in the picture is an Austin Gypsy G4M10, the swb with conventional springs. the Long wheel Base variant was the G4M15. the Gypsy Mk 1 has Flexitor independent suspension. engines were e2.2 BMC series C of both petrol and diesel; variety. there were civilian versions. the gear box was 4 speed full syncro 2 range on the G4 with independent front wheel only drive in emergency, although this was not on the vehicle data plate, only in the handbook. the main problem is the steel body work. they are beautiful things to drive and far superior to land rovers in every way. the diesel particular was reliable, and the box bomb proof.The G4 front hubs also has capstan hubs which were extremely effective. My first car J5569 a 1968 Austin Gypsy G4M10 , picture taken 1973, oh those were the days. Almost, ;-) the one in the picture is a G4M10 FL (flexi) if you look it has the suspension unit below the front bumper. the leaf sprung version would be 'SE' (semi eliptic) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marmite!! Posted October 28, 2007 Share Posted October 28, 2007 I think that means me...... Hi.. welcome to the forum, maybe you could tell us a bit about yourself & vehicle in the Introductions & Welcome section http://www.hmvf.co.uk/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=38&board=19.0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted October 28, 2007 Share Posted October 28, 2007 Almost, ;-) the one in the picture is a G4M10 FL (flexi) if you look it has the suspension unit below the front bumper. the leaf sprung version would be 'SE' (semi eliptic) Still want one back, a lot of happy memories go with them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcspool Posted January 5, 2009 Share Posted January 5, 2009 The mark 2 was introduced in 1960 and added a LWB 111" to the range with Flexitor front suspension and leaf springs at the back. Here's a picture of a Mark 2. I took pictured it on 22 November last year at Schoorl, Holland. Very rare to see one of these in the wild in Holland. Come to think of it, I think it was the first one I've seen in the metal. Hanno Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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