Closing date June issue -> April 21
Bedford van (1968) – Enthusiasm and drive for Marc
Marc is a true cultural guardian. Someone who not only tinkers but also preserves. By restoring historic vehicles, such as the Bedford van, he contributes to rolling heritage, and just as importantly, he shares that passion with friends, enthusiasts, and a wide audience. After his Bedford, he started working on a 1947 Austin K2, once employed by a coal merchant in Vorden. His brother also counts on his help with the restoration of a Datsun. His enthusiasm doesn't stop there. Marc is the founder of the Hoogezand-Sappemeer Fire Brigade Museum (www.hbvvhs.nl), a place where history is not stored away, but remains visible, moving and all.
Vauxhall?
The basis of this Bedford van will be recognizable to those familiar with it. The Bedford HA van is closely related to the Vauxhall Viva and was supplied by Bedford as a light commercial vehicle. The 1968 example described here falls under the later HA series, technically based on the Viva HB. Bedford positioned this type as a practical 8-cylinder van, compact, simple, and reliable.
Besides the panel van, there were variants with a different character. The Bedford Beagle was an official, Bedford van-sanctioned conversion to a station wagon, carried out by coachbuilder Martin Walter of Folkestone. The same firm also designed the Roma, a small campervan based on the Bedford HA. The Beagle was fitted with rear side windows, a modified tailgate, and a folding rear seat, making it suitable as a family car.
The story of the Bedford Van needs to be told Dealer
Marc: "We made a small adjustment to the interior of the Bedford HA van. The door panels were painted blue, but we painted them black because it better suits the character of a service vehicle. It's not about shine, it's about the look."
"Of course, we want to inspire both older and younger people. The fire museum also has a strong educational element. Explaining how everything works sparks curiosity and interest. We're not resting on our laurels. We want to promote the historical value of cars and showcase them, like with the Bedford van at the classic car event in Eelde. You have to be visible and keep telling the story."
Limiting the fun?
More and more regulations are being introduced, and politicians regularly target us as enthusiasts with plans to further restrict the use of classic cars. For us, they're not everyday vehicles but hobby cars, used for local trips, events, and club outings.
A powerful counter-argument is involvement. For example, through a subscription to Auto Motor Klassiek. After all, it's about our heritage that is highlighted every month. Whether it's motorcycles, youngtimers, classics, or vintage cars like the Bedford HA van. That monthly car party costs 49,50 euros per year and also Auto Motor Klassiek continues to tell the story.
(More photos below)
In 1969, the Bedford HA was our first van in the company. Two people could sit in the front, and in the rear, we'd moved a rear seat from a 2CV so one or two people could sit there too. This wasn't allowed, of course, but it happened. I was allowed to take it out on weekends, and sometimes there were four of us in the back!
The Bedford HA was a reliable and trouble-free car. A few years later, I bought a Ford Transit so I could seat three people in the front and have plenty of cargo space.
I've had the 1947 Austin K2 for about 70 years, and it's one of the first in my miniature collection. So, I saw this Austin in real life almost daily during that time.
At our company we also had a Bedford CA, the worst service car ever, the rest was DAFs, which always drove after 2,5 years, taken to the scrapyard, spent more time in the garage than it drove, I still have nightmares when I think back about it, later we switched to the Simca 1100 fourgonette, I still think back on that with nostalgia with the large steering wheel and no power steering
This is extremely cool.
We also had a light blue Bedford HA at home, in the bakery. I can still hear the engine purring with its faint note. Ours had no partition between the front and rear compartments. The registration number was VV-04-01.
Enjoyed it for years! Then Opel became more popular in the Netherlands with the Kadett Caravan. We've also used three of those.
My grandfather owned several CA Bedfords. I learned to drive in them. I imported one from England a few years ago, and I still drive it around in the summers. Pure 1965 nostalgia!
With an indestructible Perkins diesel in it.
So cool!!!