34 http://www.militaryvehiclesmagazine.com
by John Norris
A
fter WWII, many of the Allies’ vehicle designs used dur-
ing the confl ict continued in service. By the late 1940s,
however, most countries realized that more modern ve-
hicles would soon be required. As the British army began look-
ing for replacements to update its ageing fl eet of soft-skinned ve-
hicles, it focused on a worthy stand-in for the Jeep. Even though
there was plenty of service life left in the venerable American
Jeeps, the British Army envisioned something different.
In 1947, the British Army launched its search for the new
vehicle, which it labeled, “Project Car 4X4 5cwt (quarter ton)
FV1800 Series.” The Nuffi eld Organization which owned the
subsidiary company of Morris Motors Ltd., produced three pro-
totype vehicles known as the “Nuffi eld Gutty.”
The Gutty’s extensive fi eld trials revealed the design required
a considerable amount of work to resolve problems. A team of
engineers from the Fighting Vehicles Research and Develop-
ment Establishment (FVRDE) at Chobham in Surrey, became
involved in the search for a suitable vehicle. Charles Sewell, a
very experienced vehicle designer, headed the team.
Between 1950 and 1951, the Birmingham-based company,
Wolesley Motors Ltd., produced 30 prototype vehicles. These
were known as the “Wolseley Mudlark.” The design was tested
and evaluated to identify any other problems.
After further improvements were made to the Mudlark de-
sign, the vehicle was accepted and given the military designa-
tion, “FV1801(a).” The Army would refer to it as the “Truck
1/4- ton, CT, 4X4, Cargo and FFW, Austin Mk.1.” Ordinary sol-
diers, however, simply called it the “Champ” a civilian term that
proved more popular. The name stuck.
While the motor manufacturing companies of Humber and
Leyland were hoping to win the production contract, it was giv-
en to the Austin Motor Company (which was in the process of
merging with Morris Motors Ltd at the time when the decision
was made). The fi rst contract for 15,000 vehicles was fi nalized
Don’t count this Cold War 1/4-ton out!