Bedford M-Type Dropside Lorry

Bedford introduced their M-Type in 1939 and it was to remain in production largely unchanged until 1953. Rated as a 2-3 tonner it used the 3,519cc six-cylinder 27.34hp petrol engine that was used by General Motors for everything from cars to commercials. This was mated to a 4-speed gearbox and the conventional chassis was fitted with servo-assisted Lockheed hydraulic brakes. This chassis formed the basis of the war-time forward control O-Types and much later the Green Goddess fire appliances used until very recently by the military. Available in two chassis lengths, a 10’0” wheelbase coded the MS or 11’11” for the ML, it could be ordered as either a bare chassis, a chassis with cab, or the dropside lorry as detailed here.

First registered in Kent on 2nd January 1950, this M-Type was bought new by the Gilbert family of Linton, Kent, as the original buff log book records. Believed to have remained in that county ever since, it was meticulously restored over a 20 year period by the previous owner.

As you can see, the work was carried out to a very high standard with the emphasis on keeping the vehicle as close to original spec as possible. Now in wonderful condition throughout, it has many delightful features including all the correct badges under the bonnet and in the cab, and even the original printed label with the running-in instructions which would have been hung from the gearstick when new.

Said to drive extremely well, it certainly fired up readily and ran beautifully with a notably sweet engine as we manoeuvred it to take these photos. Advertising Nickolls coal merchants of Hawkinge, Kent, on the tail-gate, it comes with the aforementioned buff log book, a modern V5C and two owners’ handbooks. In excellent running order throughout, it is due to be driven some 40 miles to the sale.