Wolseley Mudlark?

[Keith Webb]

"Title: Austin Champ prototype, the Wolseley Mudlark, 1950
Date: 26 July 1950
Creator: Unknown
Contributor: Queensland Newspapers
Description: The Wolseley Mudlark FV1800 was built by the Nuffield organisation (later part of BMC) to meet a British defence force requirement for a 1/4 ton General Service truck to take the place of American Jeeps. Twelve examples were made in 1948 and sent for testing in the UK and overseas. The Mudlark was an advanced design, with fully independent suspension and a Rolls-Royce engine, and was close to the design used for the production Austin Champ in 1952. Note the bulbous mudguards of the vehicle in the photograph, the towing hooks and spring latches for the bonnet and folding windscreen. Wolseley Mudlarks appear in the 1957 science fiction film "Quatermass", being driven by zombies!
A Wolseley Mudlark was loaned to the US Government in 1951 for testing and comparison to the MB & M38 Jeeps used by US Armed Forces at this time. 'According to the Report written in 1951/52 by the US Government and the Ford Motor Company, the vehicle suffered from transmission problems and also required a more efficient cooling system. It was considered to be well built but needed modifications to make it strong enough for military use. The axles suffered from oil starvation in the differential due to the design of the half-shafts allowing oil to trickle down from differential to outer tracta joints and hubs. Many of the faults were rectified on the pre-production Champs in 1951 and the production models from 1952. Some of the faults were still "in production" in 1953/54 and required modification instructions to be issued to Army Workshops!'. From http://www.austinchamp.com/extras/ph...ry/mudlark.htm accessed on 16/9/05."



Found on the Queensland Govt library website is this pic.

[Richard Farrant]

Keith,

One of our club members had a Mudlark around 20 years ago, I think it is still around and was displayed at the Champ gathering at Beltring a few years ago. Not sure how many were made, though.

richard

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally posted by Richard Farrant
One of our club members had a Mudlark around 20 years ago, I think it is still around and was displayed at the Champ gathering at Beltring a few years ago.

Richard, I recall seeing one for sale there, probably the same one.
See http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/lsm/dhmg/belt008.html

H.

[Richard Farrant]

Originally posted by Hanno Spoelstra
Richard, I recall seeing one for sale there, probably the same one.

Hanno,

That is the very one in the linked pic. I do not know if the Wolseley badge was added on by a proud owner, but it is not on the one in Keith's pic.

Richard

[Bob Moseley (RIP)]

Hi All
I notice that the vehicle bears Keefy's personalised number plate. But what does the initial "Y" stand for? Food for thought.
Bob