BEDFORD USERS GROUP - AUSTRALIA

I have yet to find details of when Bedfords were first imported into Australia, so if anyone out there has any information they would like to share, I would be only to happy to publish it here

(Found this one recently, click on the picture for more detail)

This information relates to the British versions and was unashamedly stolen from The Bedford CF Van and Motor Home area  (thanks Colin)

The CF was first introduced in 1969 as a replacement for the CA & TJ series vans. It was Bedford's answer to the Ford Transit
 

Initially there were 2 wheelbase versions available, 106in and 126in. Payloads of 14, 22, 25 & 35 cwt were available.  The lighter weight models had a short wheelbase and single wheel rear axle. The heavier were long wheelbase with double wheel rear axle.  Body styles were van, minibus, chassis/cowl and chassis/cab. Sliding cab doors were available on the van and minibus.
 

Bedford decided to use the 'modern' overhead cam engine with the cam driven by a toothed rubber drive belt and tilted at 45 degrees to give more room and to lower the centre of gravity.  It was quite an unusual engine for a van of that time. The diesel models used the old but trusty Perkins engines.  The engines used were 1599cc (petrol) and 1760cc (diesel) for the lighter models and 1975cc (petrol) and 2523(diesel) for the heavier models.
 

Chassis numbers consisted of 5 digits.

The first 2 (97) indicated that it was a CF.

The next one gave the vehicle size, 1 = 14/18cwt, 3 = 22cwt, 5 = 25cwt & 7 = 35cwt.

The final 2 numbers are the body type. 60 = chassis/cab, 70 = van & 90 = chassis cowl
 

In 1972 the petrol engine sizes were up rated to 1759cc & 2279cc by increasing the bore. A new variant was made available, 35cwt chassis/cab.

By 1975 the models were identified by gross vehicle weight (GVW) and carried a badge over the front wheel arch, IE CF220 - 2.20Ton.  An extra long wheelbase chassis/cab was also made available with a wheelbase of 140in, double rear wheels and powered by the 2279cc petrol engine
 

In 1977 a new GM diesel engine of 2064cc was introduced to replace the Perkins units.
 

In 1980 the whole range was given a facelift. This is when the plastic grilled front end was introduced. Most owners incorrectly call this model the CF2.  At the same time the range was modified and now consisted of CF230, 250, 280 & 350. The engines were 1759 petrol for the 230 model with the rest having either the 2279cc petrol or the diesel, now increased to 2260cc.
 

In 1984 the range was superseded by the CF2. Visually they were very similar the the CF1 with 1980 facelift. Only one engine was available, the 1979cc petrol. At this time the CF was also given front disk brakes.
A Ferguson 4WD version was now available. This was based on the 350 model.  There was also an electric version built which was jointly developed with Lucas.

Production of the CF ceased in July 1987

Below is a data sheet for the CF350, kindly supplied by Rod.