Bedford CA Grosvenor Canopy Service Truck

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Established in 1930, Bedford Vehicles was a subsidiary of Vauxhall Motors (itself the British subsidiary of General Motors) that was dedicated to the production of commercial vehicles.

A key part of the GM Europe operation, the Bedford brand proved hugely popular and their range of lorries and light commercial vehicles established an enviable reputation for sturdiness and reliability. 1952 saw the launch of the Bedford CA light commercial, a range of vans and pick-ups similar in concept and size to (although pre-dating) the Ford Transit of 1965. These were semi-forward control, having a short bonnet with the rear of the engine protruding into the cab giving it a distinctive pug-nosed front end and a goldfish-bowl windscreen.

It was powered by the lively Vauxhall Wyvern-based 1,508cc OHV in-line four petrol engine, giving 52bhp with the option of a Perkins 4/99 or 4/108 diesel engine later on. In 1964 the 1,508cc engine was replaced by a more powerful 1.6-litre unit from the Vauxhall Victor FB. Allied to a three-speed gearbox (later upgraded to four-speed) this gave the CA a top speed of around 65mph with 25mpg economy.

The standard panel van was available in short- and long-wheelbase forms, and was also sold as chassis cab / chassis cowl form for conversion into a light truck, and became a popular basis for ice-cream vans, ambulances and camper vans such as the famous Dormobile. Known affectionately as the ‘Tilley’, the CA enjoyed a very long production span, with only minor tweaks throughout its life, including the replacement of the two piece windscreen of earlier models with a single sheet. In 1969 the CA was replaced by the CF, a completely unrelated vehicle using a new overhead camshaft engine, which was to have a much harder time proving itself thanks to the all-conquering Ford Transit.

This particular CA pick-up has the rare ‘canopy body’ that was offered by coachbuilders G Walker & Sons of Watford and was known as a ‘Grosvenor Canopy Service Truck’. Registered in December 1954, it spent the first 15 years of its life with the Kesteven Fire Service in Lincolnshire and has had just seven owners since, all detailed in the history file. In the current ownership for the last five years, we are told that it has recently been treated to a full engine rebuild including pistons, bearings etc, plus a new clutch and four new tyres (although there are no bills for these jobs).

Appearing to be in generally good order throughout, it also said to be in good running order although the vendor advises that the brakes will need some attention before it is used on the road. It comes with the aforementioned list of owners, a V5C, notes relating to the engine rebuild and an original Instruction Book and Workshop Manual.

An ideal promotional vehicle for any small business, it is also an extremely rare survivor and you could wait a long time before you see another one for sale.