Bedford CF Fire Tender

Launched in November 1969, the Bedford CF van variants were some of the most popular light commercial vehicles on British roads and remained in production very little changed until 1988. Initially powered by a 1.5-litre Vauxhall FD engine, this eventually rose in capacity to 2.3-litres. The CF also used the same basic suspension lay-out as the Vauxhall Victor but with greater wheelarch clearances and calibrated for greater weight carrying capacity. The front independent suspension featured a double wishbone layout with coil springs and telescopic shock absorbers, while the rear wheels were suspended by a combination involving a live axle and traditional long single-leaf springs

Like the modern-day Ford Transit, the Bedford CF was widely used: the police, in particular, used them for prisoner transport and as riot vans; the military had a very large fleet of CFs; they were very much favoured by builders and builders' merchants; the Post Office had a sizable fleet and many were turned into caravanettes and ice cream vans.

First registered in November 1979, this particular CF has spent all its life as an on-site fire appliance for a major company and has only covered some 7,400 miles from new. Fitted with the larger 2.3-litre petrol engine, it is said to be in excellent condition throughout and to drive very well, recently completing a 100 mile journey with no problems whatsoever. All the fire fighting equipment is believed to be in full working order but we have not verified this for ourselves. It comes with the original handbook and service book, a V5C and a Haynes workshop manual.