Austin Gipsy 4WD

The Austin Gipsy was a rival to the Land-Rover four wheel drive in the late 1950s and the 1960s. It was more sophisticated than the Land-Rover in the suspension department in particular. The Gipsy's suspension was independent all round by trailing arms with `Flexitor' rubber springs: the rubber was contained in a large diameter tube attached to the chassis and was "tortured" as the trailing arms moved; some trailers and caravans use a similar system today. The differentials were chassis mounted. Power was by the 2.2L ohv Austin A70 engine, tuned for torque.

1958

Most Gipsies were made as soft-tops. (The hard-top pictured is a conversion.) They came in both long (111") and short (90") wheel-base forms.

rear suspension

Independent suspension leads to less ground clearance when heavily laden and had an image of lacking ruggedness - at that date. Later models of the Austin Gipsy had live axles in response. They also used the 2.9L A90 engine.

The greatest weakness of the Austin Gipsy, as compared to a Land-Rover, was its steel bodywork which soon gained a reputation for rust (this was something that Land-Rover was keen to point out). For this reason good examples are rare and a nice one might make a good restoration prospect for someone in search of an unusual four wheel drive - 

Engine (diesel)
Type	22D(Series I), 22U(Series II)
Number of cylinders	4
B.H.P. at governed speed	55 at 3,000rpm
Bore	3.25in. (82.6mm)
Stroke	4.0in (101.6mm)
Capacity	2.2 litres (2178cc)
Valve rocker clearance (hot or cold)	012in (.305mm)
Compression ratio	20:1
Injection order	1,3,4,2
Static injection timing	28BTDC at spill cut-off
Venturi control unit	C.A.V. BEP.K42.42.111S
Fuel injection pump	C.A.V.BPE.4A.65.U210.S6355EL
Governor (neumatic)	C.A.V.BEP.BMZ.80A.131
Fuel ift pump	A.C mechanical
Fuel injector nozzles	C.A.V.Pintaux BDN.12.SP6A
Fuel injector nozzle holders	C.A.V.BKB.35.S668
Fuel filter	C.A.V. Type F2/9
Heater plugs	Lodge DD2/3
Engine (petrol)
Type	22D(series I), 22N(series II)
Number of cylinders	4
Bore	3.125in (79.4mm)
Stroke	4.38 (111.1mm)
Capacity	134.1cu. in. (2199cc)
B.H.P.	62 at 4,100rpm
Maximum torque	110lb. ft. at 1,500rpm
Compression ratio	6.8:1
Firing order	1,3,4,2
Valves	Overhead, pushrod operation
Valve timing:
Inlet opens	5 BTDC
Inlet close	45 ABDC
Exhaust opens	40 BBDC
Exhaust closes	10 ATDC
Valve clearance (hot or cold)	012in (.30mm)
Lubrication
Type	Wet sump
Pump	Gear type
Pressure (hot)	50lb./sq.in.
Filter	Full-flow
Sump capacity (diesel, inc filter)	9 3/4 pints (5.53 litres)
Sump capacity (petrol, inc filter)	11 1/4 pints (6.38 litres)
Filter capacity	1 1/4 pints (.7 litre)
Cooling system
Type	Pressurized to 7 lb./sq.in.
Circulation	Pump, fan, and thermostat
Normal operating temperature	164F (73C)
Capacity	21 pints (12 litres)
Fuel system
Pump	A.C. Sphinx 'U'
Carburetter	Zenith downdraught
Model	34W1A (later models 34W1A-2)
Choke	30
Main jet	130 (122, model 34W1A-2)
Power jet	100
High speed bleed	60
Idle tube	50
Tank capacity	13 gallons (59 litres)
Ignition system
Type	Lucas 12-volt
Coil	LA12
Distributor	DM2
Contact breaker gap	014- .016 in.
Static ignition timing	6 1/2 BTDC
Sparking plugs	Champion XN8
Plug gap	025 in.
Clutch
Make	Borg & Beck
Type	Dry plate with spring center
Diameter (petrol)	9 in.
Diameter (diesel)	10 in.
Method of operation	Hydraulic
Gearbox
Type	4 speed synchromesh
Gear ratios
First	4.05:1
Second	2.35:1
Third	1.37:1
Fourth	1:1
Reverse	5.17:1 (no synchromesh)
Oil capacity	4 pints
Transfer box
Ratios
High	1:1 (two or four wheel drive)
Low	2.02:1 (four wheel drive only)
Oil capacity	3 1/2 pints
Propeller shaft
Make	Hardy spicer
Type	Open shaft
Front and rear axles
Type	Hypoid bevel
Oil capacity	3 pints
Rear axle oil capacity (L.W.B. only)	2 1/2 pints
Axle gear ratio	5.125:1
Overall gear ratios
High gear	5.125, 7.021, 12.043, 20.756
Low gear	10.352, 14.182, 24.326, 41.927
Steering
Type	Cam and lever
Ratio	16:1
Track toe in	3/32 in.
Adjustment	Screw and shim
Oil capacity	7/8 pint
Suspension
Type S.W.B & L.W.B.	Trailing arm on flexitor units
L.W.B rear	Semi-elliptic leaf springs
Castor angle	3 1/2 deg at 5 cwt. (254 kg.)
Camber angle	1 1/2 deg
Swivel pin inclination	12 deg
Front shock absorbers
Make	Armstrong
Type	Lever
Rear shock absorbers
Make	Armstrong
Type	Telescopic or lever
Brakes
Make	Girling
Foot brake	Hydraulically operated with two
leading shoes on front wheels
Drum diameter	10 in.
Hand brake	Mechanical on rear wheels only
Wheels
Type	16x5.00 pressed steel disc,
five-stud mounting
Wheel nut torque	100 lb. ft.
Electrical equipment
Type	Lucas 12 volt
Battery (petrol)	51-amp-hr. GTW9A/3 (later models C40/1)
Battery (diesel)	Two 6 volt, 95-amp-hr. MT15E/6
Dynamo	C39PV/2 (late models C40/1)
Starter motor	M418G
Cut-out and regulator	RB106/2
Fuse unit	SF6
Distributor	DM2
Coil	LA12
Direction indicators	FL5
Windscreen wipers	FW2
Dimensions
Overall length: SWB	139 in.
Overall length: LWB	160 in.
Overall height	73 1/2 in.
Overall width	66 3/4 in.
Wheelbase: SWB	90 in.
Wheelbase: LWB	111 in.
Approx weight	24 cwt. (1219 kg.)
- Jeff Miller