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.