From: noel shelley (noel@shelley1722.freeserve.co.uk)
Date: Sat Jun 28 2003 - 12:18:04 PDT
Dear Ryan & list,
For ten years I used a Humber 1 tonner, soft skin
1 ton truck, independant torsion bar suspension, 4.2 Rolls Royce engine .
Handled like a sports car , went like a rocket (up tp 60 MPH then the
limiter stopped it ). The Humber was just a bigger version of the Austin
Champ ( I drove one for twenty years covering well over 100,000 miles) Both
were beautifully over engineered and provided you could keep oil in all the
many housings Etc were simple and reliable in use.
BUT A WARNING.
NEVER use 1St gear ,unless you have engaged 4 wheel drive .To do so will
often result in serious damage . If you are very lucky the rear wheels will
slip, if they don`t your wallet will , as you destroy your rear axle . ( I
know , I once did it in an emergency---BIG bang lots of broken metal and I
went home on the front axle )
The Humber has a lump on the four wheel lever that is hit by the main gear
change to engage 4 WD . This is often removed , RE INSTATE IT by welding or
some other method .
The Champ has no interlock JUST BE CAREFUL .
If you remove the small plate by the F N R lever you will find the word
WINCH stamped . Has anyone ever seen a Champ fitted with the original rear
mounted winch .
IF you want more speed simply remove the 2 small springs and yoke from the
rotor arm, this applies to both vehicles. ( the champ will then be good for
about 90 MPH & suspension to match)
The Rolls Royce B40 & B60 both had huge torque, especially at low revs hence
the above warning. As for the B81,--( straight 8 ) it was awsome.
hope this is interesting Best Wishes All NOEL
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