Austin Gipsy
| 1958 to 1968 | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | British Motor Corporation |
| Production | 1958–1968 Number made 21,208 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | Four-wheel drive |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | Austin (A70) OHV 55 hp (41 kW) diesel 2200 62 bhp (46 kW) |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 139 in (3,531 mm) or 160 in (4,064 mm) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Austin 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.
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
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 in Heartbeat, TV Series (ITV)
