Off-Road
Britain
1950s 1960s

Austin Gipsy

 1958 to 1968
Austin Gipsy motor car history
Overview
ManufacturerBritish Motor Corporation
Production1958–1968 Number made 21,208
Body and chassis
Body styleFour-wheel drive
Powertrain
EngineAustin (A70) OHV 55 hp (41 kW) diesel 2200 62 bhp (46 kW)
Dimensions
Length139 in (3,531 mm) or 160 in (4,064 mm)
Chronology
PredecessorAustin Champ

 

The Austin Gipsy is an automobile which was produced by the British Motor Corporation and its successors from 1958 to 1968. It was designed as a replacement for the Austin Champ to compete with Rover's Land Rover.

History

The Gipsy came with with a open and two doors: and two separate front seats .Austin picked the name with an "I" spelling rather than gypsy. The Gipsy was visually similar to the Land Rover, but unlike the Land Rover, the Gipsy's bodywork was steel. The suspension was sophisticated, independent suspension all round using Flexitor rubber springs, which gave the Gipsy the ability to travel at high speeds over rough terrain.

Austin Gipsy engines

As an option, later models offered leaf springs on the front and rear. It used a BMC 2199 cc petrol engine based on the one in the Austin A70; the compression ratio was 6.8:1, making the petrol-powered vehicle tolerant of low octane fuel.

  • PERFORMANCE: Petrol (2200cc)
  • max speeds: 18 mph, 29 km/h in 1st gear; 30 mph, 48.3 km/h
  • in 2nd gear; 52 mph, 83.7 km/h in 3rd gear; 63 mph, 101.4 km/h in 4th gear
  • power-weight ratio: 39.7 lb/hp, 18 kg/hp 
  • Fuel Consumption 24.5 mlimp gal, 20.4 ml US gal, 11.5 1 x 100 km
  • Max Speed 63 mph, 101.4 km/h

A 2178 cc diesel-engined version was also offered.

  • PERFORMANCE: Diesel (2200cc)
  • max power (DIN) 55 hp at 3,500 rpm
  • max torque (DIN) 89 1b ft, 12.3 kg m at 2,800 rpm,
  • 25.3 hp/l specific power
  • power-weight ratio 54.5 lb/hp, 24.7 kg/hp

Austin Gipsy variants

It was available initially in a 90-inch (2286 mm) (later known as the Short wheelbase (SWB) version to which was added a 111-inch (2819 mm) Long wheelbase (LWB) from Series II

With the merger of BMC with Leyland to form British Leyland the Austin Gipsy and the Land Rover were being produced by the same company. Production of the Gipsy was stopped after some 21,208 vehicles had been sold.

Austin Gipsy car 1950s 1960s britain

Austin Gipsy in Heartbeat, TV Series (ITV)

 Austin Gipsy in Heartbeat, TV Series (ITV)

Related items
Austin Gipsy | Britain 1960s | Britain 1950s | Vehicles launched in 1958 | Heartbeat | off road

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Technical

Service

  • Austin Gipsy maintenance and Service Guide (1958-1968)


    Engine oil Petrol: 11.30 imp pt, 13.53 US pt, 6.4 l
    Gearbox oil: 4 imp pt, 4.86 US pt, 2.3 1
    Transfer box oil: 3.50 imp pt, 4.23 US pt, 2 1
    Final drive oil: 3 imp pt, 3.59 US pt, 1.7 1.
    Cooling system capacity: 12.30 imp pt, 14.80 US pt, 7 1.
    Tyres: 6.00 x 16 lwb 7.00 x 16 tyres
    Fuel tank capacity: 12.5 imp gal, 15 US gal
    Carrying capacity: 882 1b, 400 kg

    © Motor car History

Technical

  • Austin Gipsy Technical details and specifications (1958-1968)


    ENGINE
    front, 4 stroke
    cylinders: 4, vertical, in line
    bore and stroke: 3.12 x 4.37 in, 79.2 x 111 mm
    engine capacity: 133.79 cu in, 2,192.53 cu cm
    compression ratio: 6.8
    max power (DIN): 72 hp at 4,000 rpm
    max torque (DIN): 112 1b ft, 15.5 kg m at 1,500 rpm
    max number of engine rpm: 4,500
    specific power: 32.8 hp/l
    cylinder block: cast iron
    cylinder head: cast iron
    crankshaft bearings: 3
    valves: 2 per cylinder, overhead, in line, push-rods and rockers
    camshafts: 1, side
    lubrication: gear pump, full flow filter
    lubricating system capacity: 12.30 imp pt, 14.80 US pt
    carburation: 1 Zenith downdraught single barrel carburettor
    fuel feed: electric pump
    cooling system: water

    Diesel engine
    capacity 132.39 cu in, 2,169.64 cu cm
    bore and stroke 3.25 x 4 in, 82.5 x 101.6 mm
    compression ratio 20

    TRANSMISSION
    driving wheels: 4
    clutch: single dry plate
    gearbox: mechanical with transfer box
    gears: 4 + reverse and transfer box
    synchromesh gears: 1st 3rd, 4h
    gearbox ratios:I1 4.050, II 2.360, III 1.370, IV 1, rev 5.177
    transfer box ratio 2.020
    gear lever location: central
    final drive: hypoid bevel
    axle ratio: 5.125.

    CHASSIS
    type tubular ladder frame
    front suspension: rigid axle, semi-elliptic leaf-springs, telescopic dampers
    rear suspension: rigid axle, semi-elliptic leafsprings, telescopic dampers.

    STEERING
    cam and peg.
    turning circle (between walls): 35 ft, 10.7 m
    turning circle (between walls) 43 ft, 13.1 m (LWB)

    BRAKES
    drum, 2 front leading shoes
    lining area: total 133 sq in, 857.85 sq cm.

    ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
    voltage: 12 V
    battery: 57 Ah

    DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT
    wheel base: 90 in, 2,286 mm
    wheel base 111 in, 2,819 mm (LWB)
    front track: 55 in, 1,397 mm
    rear track: 55 in, 1,397 mm
    overall length: 140.87 in, 3,578 mm
    overall length 163.87 in, 4,162 mm (LWB)
    overall width: 66.75 in, 1,695 mm
    overall height: 76 in, 1,930 mm
    ground clearance: 9 in, 229 mm
    dry weight: 2,860 1b, 1,297 kg (Petrol)
    dry weight 3,000 1b, 1,361 kg (Diesel)

    © Motor car History