to Champ or not to Champ......

[Richard Coutts-Smith]

David,
A Champ was the last vehicle I ever thought I would own, now my only regret is not buying one sooner, go figure....
(This is not a reflection on your decision, purley musing on my behalf)
If you have the oppourtunity to get the vehicle numbers, could you pass them on to me. I would like to pass them on to the Champ Register if they are not currently shown as still in existence.

Mike,
The head of the Champ project was asked to go to the US and explain the diff issue that was giving problems to the vehicles on trial there. He was adamant that all the problems were due to lack of oil, either due to poor maintenance, or possibly the sealing of the PT0 cover on top of the back diff. The studs were long enough for the proposed winch fitment (which never happened), and a little long for the cover supplied. This minor problem could be fixed with an extra washer under each nut.

Totally unrelated to his report, I'm sure, back in the UK orders were issued to replace all crown wheel bolts with a higher tensile grade, and all driving flanges on the hubs modified for a further three bolts.

My personal opinion is that despite a long and expensive gestation, the Champ was pushed into full production before the results of the extensive trials were acted upon, in an attempt to save the British Fighting Vehicle concept which was rapidly losing favour. As a result, the problems plaguing the early production Champs gave it an unenviable reputation that still exists today.

Rich.

[Lynn Eades]

Rich, I thought their main problem was rust and corrosion. I was going to say also "over complicated", but that is just another British identifier.

[JackM]

I've just finished a complete restoration of one of these (#1824)

http://hmvf.co.uk/forumvb/showthread...tin-Champ-1824

.. and I emphasise Richard's point about complexity. Not only are they complex, but they are not simple to maintain, which compounds the problem.

The rear diff is the usual talking point, but I suspect this fault was the result of driver error/stupidity (call it what you will), combined with a post Service lack of lubricant. I found one rear diff which had the pinion teeth worn to fine points and a sludge mixture coating the interior of the carrier, which apart from the sludge, was an oil free zone.

It is a fine vehicle if looked after but it takes more looking after than a normal military vehicle should.

David - the one you've shown us looks to be remarkably complete, but I echo the others who have commented that the price is far too high.


Jack

[David DeWeese]

Thanks Richard for your input and Jack for the link to your Champ restoration! Obviously you both know your way around an Austin Champ.

Price is the main factor at this point. Don't want to insult anybody with a low-ball offer, but the owner needs to be educated on what he has, and what it is really worth.

I will get the serial numbers from both, and post them. The story is that someone bought five of these surplus from Sheppard AFB in Wichita Falls, Texas many years ago. I've seen another listed for sale in Central Texas, so it may be one of the five.

Lynn, forgot to repond to your question from post #4: No Dodges on the property that I saw. The truck next to the Champ was a late-50's Ford.

Thanks again, David

[Lynn Eades]

Sorry David, I meant one in the back ground, in a photo you posted while you were doing the C8, at one stage.

[David DeWeese]

Hi Lynn,

I've had quite a few Dodge military trucks at my shop, but sold all of them except my 1934 KH31 Dump truck.

The '34 restoration will start this fall when things cool down here...hopefully.

Thanks, David

[Mike Cecil]

Richard,

Thanks for the explanation re the back axle: strange how once a problem is identified, it lingers in the memory, whereas the 'fix' doesn't seem to. I've certainly learnt something.

I remember providing Malcolm H the list of the 400 Aussie champ chassis/engine numbers many years ago. A careful examination showed there were a few 'repeats' in the sequence, probably where the Army clerks had transcribed the figures incorrectly. I never have found the '401' (the trials vehicle's) chassis number, just its registration. The Humber 1 ton was trialled at the same time: that vehicle went back to the UK, but the damaged Champ was retained for some reason, and placed on ledger transfer to Army from Dept of Supply.

Mike C