History Of Bedford

Bedford was a subsidiary company of Vauxhall which was the provider for commercial vehicles for the UK and export markets.

The origins of the Vauxhall Company can be traced back to 1857; however the first true Bedford truck was born in 1930. The release of the Bedford truck coincided with the assembly of the last Chevrolet and GMC trucks, The “W” series featured 30 cwt trucks and a 2 ton version. There was also a bus version offering 14 seats or 20 on the longer 20 ton chassis. By 1937 Bedford’s sales had reached 30,000.

During the war production of civilian vehicles was suspended, as it was with many other firms. The British Army had lost many of its tanks at Dunkirk, and Vauxhall was given the task of building the Churchill, which was completed from drawing board to proving trials in fewer than 3 months. There was other production in the form of MW and OY types, with a modified tractor adapted by Scammell. Bedford brought out the QL 4x4 for military use, the most numerous British marques.

Production resumed after World War Two using the tried and trusted K, M and O types introduced in 1939, and these gave way in 1951 to the new S type and later it's 4x4 relative the R type. This was chosen by the Armed Forces and was to be the standard 4 ton truck for many years, finally being superseded by the MK and MJ types. Another milestone in 1955 was the opening of the Dunstable truck plant, all large commercials being assembled there with some van building continuing at Luton until the transfer to the new Halewood premises. Normal controls were not neglected with the A type appearing in 1953 and followed by the D and J types. These were still being sold for export well into the seventies when all British trucks were virtually all forward control types.

The CA van gave way to the CF, and eventually to the Isuzu inspired Midi range. A subsidiary company IBC Vehicles was formed and operates to the present day, though production now is Vauxhall-badge Renaults the Vivaro and Movano range.

Recession during the eighties, and foreign imports took their toll and GM announced its closure. The Dunstable plant was sold to AWD, who continued the MJ and TL ranges for a couple of years, chiefly to export markets. With no large contract coming forward from the Ministry of Defence (It went to Leyland) AWD itself was forced to close. The TL range was adopted by Marshall of Cambridge who continued it for a while before introducing their own SPV design.