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Bedford HA

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Bedford HA
1981 Bedford HA
Overview
ManufacturerBedford (Vauxhall Motors)
Also calledBedford Handi-Van (Australia)
Production1964–1983
AssemblyLuton, Bedfordshire, UK
Body and chassis
ClassLight commercial vehicle
Body styleCar derived van
LayoutLongitudinal front engine, rear-wheel drive
Related
Powertrain
Engine
  • 1,057 cc OHV I4
  • 1,159 cc OHV I4
  • 1,256 cc OHV I4
Transmission4-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase91.5 in (2,324 mm)
Length150.2 in (3,815 mm)
Width59.4 in (1,509 mm)
Height59.5 in (1,511 mm)
Kerb weight
  • 1,540–1,575 lb (699–714 kg) (1965)
  • 1,651–1,706 lb (749–774 kg) (1977)[1]
Chronology
PredecessorBedford HC
SuccessorBedford/Vauxhall Astramax

The Bedford HA was a car derived van introduced in August 1964 by Bedford, based on the Vauxhall Viva (HA) family car.[2] It was also known as the Bedford Beagle in estate form and Bedford Roma in small campervan form. The Beagle was an officially sanctioned conversion based on the 8 cwt van, carried out by Martin Walter of Folkestone, Kent.[3] The Beagle received rear side windows and a fold-down rear seat; leaving 28 inches (710 mm) of luggage space with the seat in use.[4]

History

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1981 British Telecom Bedford HA

The Bedford HA was extremely popular with utility companies in the United Kingdom, particularly the Royal Mail, British Rail,[5] electricity boards, the GPO (later British Telecom (BT)), and British Gas. Many other firms such as British European Airways and Meals on Wheels services had large fleets as well. It was the inspiration for Postman Pat's original van.[citation needed] It was originally available in 6 cwt and heavier duty 8 cwt models (payloads of 670 or 900 lb; 300 or 410 kg), with the chassis codes HAE and HAV respectively. Gross vehicle weights were 2,400 and 2,615 lb (1,090 and 1,185 kg) respectively.[3] The 8 cwt had a heavier rear axle, bigger tyres, and a sixth leaf in the rear springs.[6] The 8 cwt was generally better equipped, offering a number of chromed trim parts (bumpers, mirrors, etcetera) and slightly plusher interior fittings.[4] By 1971 the 6 cwt had been downgraded further yet, and now only came with a driver's seat as standard. A fold-down rear seat was available as an option.[7]

1968 Bedford Roma Mark I Deluxe

The Bedford Roma, a three berth campervan with a cloth extending roof, was produced from October 1967 until 1973.[8]

By the late seventies, the denominations had been changed to HA 110 and HA 130 respectively, with payload ratings of 371 and 546 kg (818 and 1,204 lb).[9] In September 1964, for the 1965 model year, the Viva and HA Van received minor changes such as a quicker steering rack, new door trim, and a modified choke control.[10] In Australia, the Bedford HA was sold as the "Bedford Handi-Van" from 1964 until 1970.

Production ended in September 1983, with 689,512 produced.[5]

Engines

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The early 1,057 cc (64.5 cu in) version had a lower compression ratio than the Viva saloon (7.3:1 rather than the usual 8.5:1), producing 47.8 hp (35.6 kW) gross, or 40.3 hp (30.1 kW) net, both at 5,200 rpm.[11] In 1967, the HA received the engine of the changed Viva. This 1,159 cc (70.7 cu in) was essentially the same as the earlier powerplant; although net power was down to a claimed 32.2 hp (24.0 kW) at 4,600 rpm. It ran on the lowest rated fuel and was fitted with a 17 mm (0.67 in)-bore carburettor for even higher fuel mileage.[12] The later models powered by the 1,256 cc engine offered 48 hp (36 kW) gross at 5,400 rpm, or 39 hp (29 kW) net at 4,600 rpm.[13] By 1977 only net horsepower ratings were offered, with power up to 31.7 kW (42.5 bhp) at 4,800 rpm. As for all three generations of HAs, the compression ratio remained 7.3 to 1. For the lighter duty HA 110 there was also an 'Economy' version, with a CD carburettor (constant depression), a redesigned manifold, and a different camshaft. This version offered up to 30% lower fuel consumption, although power did drop to 18 kW (24.4 bhp) at 3,800 rpm.[1]

1978 Walker Bodies Bedford HA pick up

The HA continued on in production for nearly twenty years, until 1983. It was first supplanted by the short lived Vauxhall Chevette-based Bedford Chevanne 1976; the Chevanne was in turn replaced by the Opel-based Bedford Astravan / Bedford Astramax in September 1982. The HA continued to be available for another year as a simple, low-cost alternative with maximum interior space.[14] Despite the fact that the Vauxhall Viva upon which it was based had gone through two further model generations, the bodywork of the HA van stayed the same until its eventual discontinuation in 1983, although it did receive some of the technical upgrades from the newer HB and HC Vivas. The 1,159 cc (70.7 cu in) engine arrived in 1967, followed by a 1,256 cc (76.6 cu in) in 1972. A pickup was also made by Martin Walter (Dormobile) - who also made the Beagle conversion - and by Walker Bodies of Watford. Made in very small numbers (believed to be around 60 in total) only a handful of these survive today: they were originally sold to companies and private buyers directly through Vauxhall/Bedford dealerships.

The BTV

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GM Amigo in Costa Rica
A GM Amigo in Portugal

In the early 1970s there were a number of basic utility vehicles developed for the developing world. Volkswagen (EA489), Citroën (FAF), and many others including General Motors tried to create cheap and basic transport which could be manufactured locally with a minimal up-front investment. GM's effort was developed by General Motors Overseas Operations (GMOO) and was called the "Basic Transportation Vehicle" (BTV).[15] It was marketed under a variety of names depending on where it was built.[16] The little truck has a simple body made up entirely of flat surfaces placed atop a basic frame, while most mechanicals and what interior there was derived from the HA. It also uses the HA's 1,256 cc low-compression engine, here with 37 hp (28 kW), which together with some of the other more complex elements was sent from Vauxhall's Luton plant. The BTV was at one time or another manufactured in Malaysia (as the Bedford Harimau, this was the first iteration to be manufactured, from May 1972[15]), Costa Rica (Amigo), Ecuador (Andino), El Salvador (Cherito), Guatemala (Chato), Nicaragua (Pinolero, by INDEVESA, S.A.), Paraguay (GM Mitaí), the Philippines (Amigo or Tiger), Portugal (Amigo), Honduras (Compadre), and in Suriname as the Moetete 1200/1300.[16] It was also available in Indonesia in 1977 and 1978, with slightly different bodywork, as the Morina (without a company name). While Vauxhalls were unusual in Indonesia, the Morina's engine had been used in the Holden Torana (LJ and TA series), which was popular as a taxi in Jakarta.[17] The Morina was built by General Motors' local subsidiary P.T. Garuda Diesel, and power was claimed to be 58.5 hp (43.6 kW) SAE. "Morina" is an acronym of MObil Rakyat INdonesiA ("Indonesian People's Car").

The Ecuadorean Andino entered production in 1973 and continued until 1976.[18] The Paraguayan Mitaí had its own bodywork which fully enveloped the front wheels, and was only available in red, white, or blue - the colours of their flag. Production was also planned for Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, and certain other countries. Some sources state that no more than 3,000 BTVs were built across the world.[19]

GM Philippines soon developed a more car-like version of the BTV with a four-door station wagon body (mainly used as a taxi) called the GM Harabas.[20] General Motors also built another basic vehicle using the Vauxhall engine in the 1970s, the South African Chevrolet Nomad.

References

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  1. ^ a b Bedford HA range (brochure), Luton, England: Bedford Commercial Vehicles, Vauxhall Motors Limited, May 1977, pp. 5–6, B/BX 1735/5/77
  2. ^ Wilding, A.J.P., ed. (21 August 1964). "Bedford enter light van market". The Commercial Motor. Vol. 120, no. 3079. p. 44. Archived from the original on 14 December 2017.
  3. ^ a b Olyslager 1965, p. 3.
  4. ^ a b Olyslager 1965, p. 4
  5. ^ a b Roberts, Andrew B (12 February 2021). "UK's rarest cars: 1982 Bedford HA 110 'public utility', one of only six left on British roads". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
  6. ^ What's a Bedford HA van got... (brochure), Luton, England: Vauxhall Motors Limited, January 1971, pp. 6, 14, B 1336/1/71
  7. ^ What has a Bedford HA van got..., p. 4
  8. ^ Roberts, Andrew B. (23 June 2023). "UK's rarest cars: 1968 Bedford HA Roma, one of only 18 left on British roads". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 3 December 2023. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
  9. ^ Bedford HA range (1977), p. 2
  10. ^ Olyslager 1965, p. 5
  11. ^ Olyslager, p. 7
  12. ^ What has a Bedford HA van got..., pp. 3, 14
  13. ^ Bedford: 6cwt–22cwt range, Luton, UK: Commercial vehicle sales, Vauxhall Motors Ltd., 1972, p. 8, B1396/2/1972
  14. ^ Brock, Bill; Blakemore, Tim (23 October 1982). "Lightweights scatter but Talbot lives on". Commercial Motor. Vol. 156, no. 3987. pp. 83–84. Archived from the original on 26 August 2021.
  15. ^ a b Bowman, Bill. "1974 Basic Transportation Vehicle". GM Heritage Center. General Motors. Archived from the original on 30 July 2017. Retrieved 25 September 2014.
  16. ^ a b "Bedford HA - BTV (Basic Transport Vehicle)". Vauxpedia. Archived from the original on 25 December 2014. Retrieved 25 September 2014.
  17. ^ Warsito, Edi (February 2016). "Morina harga hanya Rp1.250.000,-" [Morina, only 1,250,000 rupiah]. Pictomotif (in Indonesian). Archived from the original on 31 December 2017.
  18. ^ Michelet, Jean Pierre (24 January 2012). "El primer Andino aún sigue rodando" [The first Andino is still on its wheels]. La Hora Nacional (in Spanish). Quito, Ecuador. Retrieved 25 September 2014.
  19. ^ Binder, Alan K.; Ferris, Deebe, eds. (2000). General Motors in the Twentieth Century. Southfield, MI: Ward's Communications. p. 131. ISBN 0-910589-52-6.
  20. ^ "The forgotten father of the AUV – Harabas". Lumang Oto. Archived from the original on 16 January 2021.
  • Olyslager, Piet (1965). Vauxhall Viva. Motor Manuals no. 66. London, UK: Sunday Times Publications/Olyslager Organisation N.V.
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