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Bedford
Vans Pick-ups
1960s
Britain

History

 Bedford Beagle

Bedford Beagle estate history
Manufacturer Bedford Vehicles
Production 1964 to 1973
Assembly Luton, United Kingdom
Class Light commercial vehicle
Body style Estate
Layout Longitudinal front engine, rear-wheel drive
Engine 1.0-1.2L I4 
Transmission 4-speed manual
Wheelbase 91.50 in, 2,324 mm
Length 150.20 in, 3,815 mm
Width 59.41 in, 1,509 mm
Height 59.49 in, 1,511 mm
Kerb weight 1,539 1b, 698 kg
 
 

The Bedford Beagle was a Light estate vehicle produced between 1964 and 1973 by Bedford in Luton, England. part of Vauxhall.

History 

The Bedford Beagle was an estate car conversion of the Bedford HA 8cwt van with integral chassis and a carrying capacity of 882 1b, (400 kg) which itself was based on the Vauxhall Viva HA built over several generations.The estate car has 2  doors and 5 seats the front seats separate. The conversions were undertaken by Martin Walter Ltd in Folkestone, Kent, most famous for Dormobile campers based upon the larger Bedford CA commercial vans. Whilst the vans were very common at one time, the Beagle was altogether rarer and there are very few left today.

The Beagle formed the basis of the Roma, a camper van designed by Martin Walter Ltd. Roma was marketed in standard and deluxe forms, both featuring standing headroom of 6 ft 5ins and a full length 6 ft double bed. A third bunk, fitted into the canopy of the elevated roof, is a feature of the deluxe version of the Roma.

Bedford Beagle estate side view

Introduced in 1964, originally with the 1057 cc engine, the Beagle was basic, with drum brakes all round and minimal interior trim.

PERFORMANCE: 1,057 cc

  • Fuel Consumption 39.8 m/imp gal, 33.1 m/US gal, 7.1 1 x 100 km
  • Max Speed 72 mph, 115.9 km/h
  • max power (SAE): 47.8 hp at 5,200 rpm
  • max torque (SAE): 58 1b ft, 8 kg m at 3,000 rpm
  • max number of engine rpm: 5,500
  • specific power: 45.2 hp/l
  • power- weight ratio: 32.3 lb/hp, 14.6 kg/hp
  • speed in direct drive at 1,000 rpm: 15 mph, 24.1 km/h.
  • max speeds: 22 mph, 35.4 km/h in 1st gear; 39 mph, 62.8 km/h in 2nd gear; 61 mph, 98.2 km/h in 3rd gear; 72 mph, 115.9 km/h in 4th gear

Later engine upgrades arrived in 1967 for the MKII (1159 cc)

PERFORMANCE:Mk II 1,159 cc

  • engine capacity 70.72 cu in, 1,159 cu cm
  • fuel consumption 44 mlimp gal, 36.7 ml US gal, 6.4 1 x 100 km
  • max speed 70 mph, 112.7 kmh
  • power-weight ratio: 37.5 lb/hp, 17 kg/hp
  • max power (DIN): 41 hp at 5,000 rpm
  • max torque (DIN): 60 1b ft, 8.3 kg m at 2,000 rpm
  • max engine rpm: 5,700
  • specific power: 35.4 hp/l

By 1972  the engine was increased to 1256 cc, bringing the top speed up from 72 mph (116 km/h) to about 80 mph (129 km/h).The front suspension had independent, wishbones, transverse lower leafsprings, telescopic dampers at the rear rigid torque-tube axle, semi-elliptic leafsprings, telescopic dampers.

The Beagle was finally discontinued in 1973. It was more or less replaced by the superior Viva HC estate cars.

Bedford Beagle conversions

Technical

  • Bedford Beagle Technical details and specifications (1964-1973)

    ENGINE:1,057 cc
    front, 4 stroke
    cylinders: 4, vertical, in line
    bore and stroke: 2.93 x 2.40 in, 74.3 x 61 mm
    engine capacity: 64.50 cu in, 1,057 cu cm
    compression ratio: 7.3
    cylinder block: cast iron
    cylinder head: cast iron
    crankshaft bearings: 3
    valves: 2 per cylinder, overhead, push-rods and rockers
    camshafts: 1, side
    lubrication: gear pump, full flow filter
    lubricating system capacity: 7.25 imp pt, 8.67 US pt, 4.1 1
    carburation: 1 Solex B 30PSE 1-2 downdraught single barrel carburettor
    fuel feed: mechanical pump
    cooling system: water

    ENGINE Mk II 1,159 cc
    front, 4 stroke; cylinders: 4, vertical, in line
    bore and stroke: 3.06 x 2.40 7.3
    cylinder block: cast iron
    cylinder head: cast iron
    crankshaft bearings: 3
    valves: 2 per cylinder, overhead, push-rods and rockers
    camshafts: 1, side
    lubrication: gear pump, full flow filter
    lubricating system capacity: 5.50 imp pt, 6.55 US pt
    carburation: 1 Solex PSEl-7 downdraught single barrel carburettor
    fuel feed: mechanical pump
    cooling system: water

    TRANSMISSION
    driving wheels: rear
    clutch: single dry plate
    gearbox: mechanical
    gears: 4 + reverse; synchromesh gears: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th
    gearbox ratios: 1st 3.765, 2nd 2.213, 3rd 1.404, 4th I, rev 3.707
    final drive: hypoid bevel; axle ratio: 4.125.

    CHASSIS : integral
    front suspension: independent, wishbones, transverse lower leafsprings, telescopic dampers
    rear suspension: rigid torque-tube axle, semi-elliptic leafsprings, telescopic dampers.

    STEERING
    rack-and-pinion
    turns of steering wheel lock to lock: 3.75. 2nd gen 3.14.
    turning circle (between walls): 29.2 ft, 8.9 m

    BRAKES
    drum, 2 front leading shoes
    area rubbed by linings: front 63 sq in, 406.35 sq cm, rear 63 sq in, 406.35 sq cm, total 126 sq in, 812.70 sq cm.

    ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
    voltage: 12 V
    battery: 32 Ah
    dynamo: 264 W
    distributor: Lucas

    DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT
    wheel base: 91.50 in, 2,324 mm
    front track: 47.40 in, 1,204 mm
    rear track: 48.19 in, 1,224 mm
    overall length: 150.20 in, 3,815 mm
    overall width: 59.41 in, 1,509 mm
    overall height: 59.49 in, 1,511 mm
    ground clearance: 5 in, 127 mm
    dry weight: 1,539 1b, 698 kg

    © Motor car History

Service

  • Bedford Beagle Practical Instructions and Service Guide (1964-1973) 

    MKI

    fuel: 85-90 oct petrol
    engine oil change: 6.16 imp pt, 7.40 US pt, 3.5 1, SAE 20W-30, change every 3,000 miles, 4,800 km
    gearbox oil: 1.06 imp pt, 1.27 US pt, 0.6 1, SAE 80, no change recommended
    final drive oil: 1.23 imp pt, 1.48 US pt, 0.7 1, SAE 90, no change recommended
    greasing: every 30,000 miles, 48,300 km or 30 months, 4 points
    cooling system capacity: 11.34 imp pt, 13.53 US pt, 6.4 1.
    tappet clearances : inlet 0.006 in, 0.15 mm, exhaust 0.010 in, 0.25 mm
    valve timing : inlet opens 39° before tdc and closes 93° after bdc, exhaust opens 65° before bdc and closes 45° after tdc
    tyre pressure (medium load): front 21 psi, 1.5 atm, rear 27 psi, 1.9 atm.
    tyres: 5.50 x 12
    fuel tank capacity: 7 imp gal, 8.4 1-JS gal, 32 1.
    carrying capacity: 882 1b, 400 kg

    MKII

    fuel: 85-90 oct petrol
    engine oil: 4.50 imp pt. 5.50 US pt, 2.6 1, SAE 20W-20, change every 6,000 miles, 9,700 km
    gearbox oil: 0.90 imp pt. 1.06 US pt, 0.5 1, SAE 90, no change recommended
    final drive oil: 1.25 imp pt. 1.48 US pt. 0.7 1, SAE 90, no change recommended
    greasing: every 30,000 miles, 48.300 km or 30 months, 4 points
    tappet clearances: inlet 0.006 in, 0.15 mm, exhaust 0.010 In, 0.25 mm
    valve timing: inlet opens 39° before tdc and closes 93° after bdc, exhaust opens 65° before bdc and closes 45° after tdc
    normal tyre pressure: front 21 psi, 1.5 atm, rear 27 psi, 1.9 atm.

    © Motor car History