- Purchased new by the police force in Whitchurch, Hants but designated as a reserve vehicle and scarcely used

- Remarkably original having had just three private keepers since being sold off by the police in 1996

- Believed to have covered just 4,952 miles from new!

Introduced in 1958, the Austin Gipsy featured an all-steel body and fully independent suspension utilising Flexitor rubber units developed by Alex Moulton. Powered by a 2199cc OHV four-cylinder engine that drove all four wheels via an all-synchromesh, four-speed gearbox coupled to a high/low ratio transfer box, the newcomer would climb a 45-degree slope and haul a maximum payload of 0.5 tons. The Series II Gipsy of 1960 was available in short- (90in) or long-wheelbase (111in) guises and had its mountaineering credentials proven when a team of London University students used one to scale Ben Nevis (Britain's highest peak at 4,406ft). There was no Series III Gipsy, but at the end of 1962 the leaf-spring equipped Series IV appeared. Gipsy production ceased in 1969 after some 21,208 examples had been sold.

A rare Series IV Station Wagon, this particular example was reportedly purchased new by the police force in Whitchurch, Hants. However, the allocation of a fleet of Ford Transits saw the Austin quickly consigned to the role of reserve vehicle and stored in a local garage. Its services were never called upon and the garage proprietor purchased it from the police during 1996. He in turn sold the Gipsy to its previous keeper some seven years later. Entering the current ownership via our October 2010 auction, the Austin had not long been treated to a new clutch master cylinder and brake overhaul (at a cost of £911.91). Described at the time as being 'immaculate and original', it remains highly presentable today. Believed but not warranted to have covered just 4,952 miles from new, the Series IV Station Wagon has formed part of a private Irish collection for the past seven years. Starting readily during our photography session (October 2017), it is accompanied by assorted spares, workshop manuals and old Whitchurch-issued tax discs etc.

PLEASE NOTE: All estimates are subject to a buyer's premium of 15% incl. VAT (@ 20%)