Bedford Enthusiasts Club

The New club for Owners and Enthusiasts of Bedfords...
and other historic commercial vehicles with GM/Bedford company connections

Bedford History

Bedford models and production years

Club History Bedford History

1931

First Bedford models WHG-WLG also WHB-WLB (Bus)

1932

WS and VYC (Van) also ASYC and ASXC light vans

1933

WT (WHT-WLG) 3 ton chassis

1935

WTB ( Bus Chassis) also WS and VYC updated

1938

HC Van (6/8 cwt) introduced Later became PC (10/12 cwt)

1939

K-M-O series introduced, also OB (Bus Chassis).
Also JC Van and Military MW series introduced.

WWII

  • saw civilian production cease of most models, to resume after WWll
  • saw Redesigned K-M-O series for Military use (OX - OY)
  • also saw the four wheel drive QL introduced for Military use.

1940

Vauxhall designed the Churchill Tank

1952

  • CA Van/ Light commercial introduced, Replacing PC Van
  • S Type (Big Bedford ) introduced
  • Later, Four Wheel drive RL version introduced,( basis of Green Goddess)
  • SB bus chassis. Later known as NFM (Petrol) / NJM (Diesel)

1953

K-M-O series production ceased. A Type introduced.

1957

  • A Type became D type
  • C series coach chassis introduced (shortened chassis based on S type for 29 seater bodies e.g. Duple Super Vista), replaced by VAS
  • Forward control C-type 4, 5 and 6 ton trucks introduced in 1957. Very similar in appearance to the S-type Big Bedfords using the same cab with a new chrome surround to the grille.

1959

TK replaced S Type also J Type replaced D Type

1960

VAS Coach Chassis Introduced later became PJK

1962

VAL Coach Chassis introduced

1963

HA van introduced

1966

VAM Coach Chassis introduced

1967

KM series introduced

1969

  • CA replaced by CF
  • RL replaced by TK cabbed M Type.

1970

YRQ Coach Chassis replaced VAM

1972

  • YRT Coach Chassis replaced VAL
  • KB Pickup introduced (Badge engineered Isuzu) later became Brava

1974

TM Series introduced

1975

  • YRT Became YMT with 500 series engine
  • YRQ Became YLQ with 500 series engine

1977

Chevanne light van introduced

1978

Experimental JJL coach chassis (Only 4 produced + 1 prototype)

1980

YNT Coach Chassis introduced

1982

TL introduced (Some TK models continued alongside for a time)

1984

  • YNV Coach Chassis introduced.(Ventura with Air Suspension)
  • YLQ Became YMP (as Q designation was not allowed!)

1986

Production of Bedford Trucks ceases.

The End

Truck business sold to AWD Ltd which continued TL and Military TK based trucks for a time.

The remains of the Bedford assets were transferred to Marshalls of Cambridge who continued to produce Bedford Trucks for a while primarily for the ministry but a few civilian models were produced.

The Bedford name lived on for a short time on the Astravan, CF Van and finally the Rascal and Midi before later being rebadged as Vauxhalls.

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