During WWII the British government decided it wanted a version of the American Jeep. The War Office's favourite was a Nuffield design called 'Gutty', with unitary construction, four wheel drive and all-round independent suspension but the prototype was not ready until 1948.

Nuffield declined the contract to manufacture the vehicle but Austin agreed and in 1952 the Champ was born. The War Office specified the Rolls Royce FB engine. The Champ and was manufactured until 1955 by which time around 13,000 had been built. It was soon replaced by the lighter and less complicated but popular Land Rover.