Lot Ended
Description
Ex-Gwent Fire Brigade; only 21,500 miles indicated; fully kitted out
with original fire-fighting equipment; current owner 29 years; runs and drives;
a proper time capsule!
Although Austin
had enjoyed a modicum of success with the military spec Champ, it was complex
and expensive to build so its commercial appeal was limited (especially as it
did 8mpg on a good day), but the Army ordered plenty of them and it gave the
company a great deal of experience with off-road vehicles.
Austin decided to take on Land Rover ‘head to head’ with something a
bit more straightforward. The ability to design from scratch lead to some
innovative design features for the new vehicle which was named the ‘Gipsy’
(spelt with an ‘i’ and not a ‘y’). The suspension was fully independent and used
Alex Moulton-designed ‘Flexitor’ rubber springing coupled to trailing arms, a
clever arrangement which required no lubrication and proved extremely
effective on rough terrain.
The chassis was
a simple ladder affair, made from oval section rather than square, with an
all-steel body adding to the rigidity of the whole structure, making the Gipsy
particularly stiff and durable. It was initially available with a 90”
wheelbase, a longer 111” being introduced in 1962.
Powered by a rugged 2.2-litre 4-cylinder Austin Hereford engine, it
could also be ordered with a similarly sized diesel unit, both coupled to a
4-speed gearbox with transfer box to lower the ratios and add the front wheels
into the equation. Far more comfortable than the cart sprung Land Rover, the
Flexitor springs gave it a reputation for rather vague steering, eventually
making way for more conventional semi elliptic springs later in its production
run.
In total 21,208 Gipsys left the works
between 1958 and 1968, the model being dropped only because of the British
Leyland merger which brought the hugely successful Land Rover under the same
roof. One of the criticisms levelled at the Gipsy was that there was always a
limited list of specialist options, the company responding in 1961 with a range
of factory-built models which included a small fire tender.
First registered in October 1967, this Gipsy was originally a fire
tender for Monmouthshire County Council, seeing service with the Gwent Fire
Brigade in Pontypool. A note inside the vehicle states that it was later used as
a factory fire tender by Arjo Wiggins (a paper manufacturer) but the V5C records
just one previous owner, Gwent Fire Brigade.
The
current keeper acquired the vehicle back in 1995 and used it sparingly until
2004, seven old MOTs showing that it covered some 1,500 miles over this
nine-year period, mainly going to local shows where it always gained lots of
attention. It was then put into storage where it has remained ever
since.
Fitted with the 2.2-litre petrol engine,
it starts easily, runs and drives but will doubtless benefit from a degree of
recommissioning before it can be safely used on the road – the brakes are
binding from lack of use and will need attention.
As you
can see in the photos, it is in highly original condition throughout and still
bears traces of the original Monmouthshire CC coat of arms on the sides, along
with the Gwent Fire Brigade logos. It also retains all of its original
fire-fighting kit and we are told that the sirens and the roof-mounted blue
light still function as they should, although the latter has melted slightly in
the course of its duties – it is a fire truck after all!
A proper time capsule and an important part of local history, this
Gipsy fire tender has no doubt saved countless lives and properties over the
years and shows only 21,525 miles on the odometer which is almost certainly
correct.
Now in need of some sympathetic
refurbishment, it is on offer here at a very modest guide price and would sit
well in any collection.
Consigned by James
Dennison – 07970 309907 – james.dennison@brightwells.com
* All charges are subject to VAT