New project - Bedford Series K 15-cwt GS truck

[Jim Burrill]

Bedford Series K in military Service.

Hi folks, I am in negotiations for a 1951 Bedford 15cwt Series K truck.

If I have connected the dots correctly, the 1945-1953 production re-launched the same body and parts as it was pre-war. In other words, the build date is post war, but in all other respects, it would be what the British Army had at Dunkirk.

The vehicle had been brought over to a museum in Maryland and then sold to the current owner about 15 years ago. The owner sorted out the brakes and it was a driver and street legal.

Sadly, the owner's interest went to other things and it has sat - under tarps - for the last 15 years.

I have not seen it in person, but the fresh photos sent show it to be complete - minus the cargo bed tarp. But it will need to be a frame off restoration. I can see some rust bubbles on the lower door panels and one spot int he windshield post.

But at a really - really - cheap price.

OK, A new project after the carrier is done.

Question - with many American trucks of that vintage, the low gearbox ratios can be changed to get a higher road speed.

Does anyone have any leads for sources of such kits for the Bedford?

[Jim Burrill]

trying to upload some pics - system message saying that some security token is missing.

[hrpearce]

Your pictures are to large edit them by pixels or email them to yourself to reduce them.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Bedford K-series.... like this? Would certainly be useful as an impressed civilian type, of was there a specific military version?

https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Bedford:_K_Series

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Bedford MSC, photo from Vanderveen’s trilogy.

Also read https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bedford_M_series

[Hanno Spoelstra]

From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bedford_Vehicles (my bold):

Mid -1939 saw a complete revamp of Bedfords; with only the HC van continuing in production. The new range consisted of the K (30–40 cwt), MS and ML (2–3 ton), OS and OL (3–4 ton), OS/40 and OL/40 (5 ton) series, and the OB bus. Also on offer was a new 10–12 cwt van, the JC, derived from the new J Model Vauxhall car. Many of the trucks sold by Bedford between June and September 1939 were requisitioned for military use on the outbreak of the Second World War; many were abandoned after the retreat from Dunkirk, rendered useless to the enemy by removing the engine oil drain plug and running the engine. Because the German armed forces in 1940 were, contrary to their popular image, desperately short of motor transport, many of these captured Bedfords were repaired and pressed into service alongside Opel Blitz (also part of GM) trucks by the German armed forces – although the Bedfords mainly filled second-line roles, including civil defence.

[Jordan Baker]

Some pictures from Jim

[Jordan Baker]

Some more from Jim

[simon king]

According to BV’s Kaleidoscope of Bedford Military Vehicles, the post war military Bedford KC was classified as a 30cwt truck. Looks as if the remnants of military markings remain on the front wings.

It was used by the Army, RAF and Royal Navy.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Excellent find, Jim!

Hanno