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  • Bedford CA (1952-1969)
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Bedford
Vans Pick-ups
1950s
Britain

History

 Bedford CA

(1952 to 1969)
 Bedford CA van history
Manufacturer Bedford Vehicles
Production 1952–1969
Assembly Luton, United Kingdom
Successor Bedford CF
Class Light commercial vehicle
Body style Van
Layout Longitudinal front engine, rear-wheel drive
Engine 1.5 L I4 OHV, 1.6 L I4 OHV
Transmission 3-speed manual, 4-speed manual
Wheelbase SWB: 90 in (2,286 mm) LWB: 102 in (2,591 mm)
Length SWB: 154 in (3,912 mm) LWB: 166 in (4,216 mm)
Width 70.0 in (1,778 mm)
Height 74.75 in (1,899 mm)
Kerb weight SWB: 2,245 lb (1,018 kg) LWB: 2,345 lb (1,064 kg)
Related Bedford Dormobile
 
 

The Bedford CA was a Light commercial vehicle produced between 1952 and 1969 by Bedford in Luton, England. part of Vauxhall.

History

There were long and short wheelbase versions.Both versions there were models with 10 to 12 cwt (500-600 kg) payload or 15 cwt ( 750 kg) payload .Generally it was supplied as a light delivery van with sliding doors, but it was also available as a chassis with cowl upon which specialist bodywork could be added.The Bedford Dormobile was a Campervan conversion based on the Bedford CA van.

In those days, the Bedford CA was a common site found all over Britain.A total of about 370,000 were built.The appearance of the CA changed only slightly in the 17-year construction period

 Body

1956 Bedford CA split screen mk1

The overall profile and architecture of the CA changed little during the vehicle's seventeen-year life.There were three different versions.The first CA had a split windshield, consisting of two flat panes with a vertical center bar.When curved glass became affordable in Britain in 1958, the split windscreen was replaced with a slightly curved one.At the same time, the original two-piece painted grille was replaced with a smaller grille that was also painted in body colour.The third version of the CA, delivered from late 1964, had a lower deeper windscreen, reducing the height of the sheet metal strip under the windshield.From 1964 there was also a radiator grille made of pressed aluminum for the first time.

1959 Bedford CA bay window mk2

The CA had a very short hood, which gave it an eye-catching look.This layout meant the driver and passenger have their legs either side of the engineAnd much of the vehicle's length could be used for payload.A small flap in the front of the vehicle or the inner cover for maintenance work on the engine
For major repair work, the entire front of the vehicle had to be removed with headlights, radiator grille and front cross member.

1965 Bedford CA mk3

 Powertrain

The CA had a 1508cc four-cylinder in-line engine with pushrod-operated overhead valves and three crankshaft bearings.The fuel mixture was a Zenith type 34VN downdraft carb.There was a low 6.8:1 compression engine version and a high compression 7.8:1 engine version
The Engine and three-speed gearbox were also installed in the Vauxhall Victor F Series.The FC series four-speed transmission could easily be fitted to any Bedford CA with a three-speed transmission.later this was available as an optional extra. Later models also had the larger post-1964 FB-series engine of 1594 cc.A 1622 cc Perkins diesel engine was also available, as was the Perkins 1760 cc diesel engine.
The front wheels were on double wishbones with coil springs mounted on a cross member.

Bedford-CA-perkins engine

 

The rigid rear axle was suspended on semi-elliptical leaf springs, 57 mm wide, attached to the chassis and rear axle.The 10 to 12 cwt versions had seven spring leaves, the 15 cwt version eight. Each of the spring leaves was 6.35mm thick.The gear shifter was mounted on the steering column, the switches for the direction indicators on the dashboard.The high beam switch was operated with the foot. The starter was operated with a lever under the handbrakeThe only gauge fittings available were a speedometer, a fuel gauge and a cooling water thermometer.
The cooling water temperature was mechanically measured by a capillary tube connected to a liquid capsule Later models had an electric version.

The Duplex drum brakes, with cast iron brake drums on each wheel, were equipped with inner shoes covered with linings containing asbestos .
Duplex brakes were installed at the front , so each brake shoe was actuated by its own simple hydraulic cylinder.The braking system with a hydraulic circuit was supplied by Lockheed .The steering was a Burman recirculating ball type.

 

A Bedford CA Mk3 in Heartbeat, TV Series

 A Bedford CA Mk3 in Heartbeat, TV Series

Technical

  • Bedford CA Technical details and specifications (1952-1969)

     

    Late 1960s

    BODY & DIMENSIONS
    Type of construction -Separate body and cruciform chassis
    Material of body panels -Steel
    Length overall -S.W.B., 12ft. 10in.L.W.B., 13ft. 10in.
    Width overall -69.9in.
    Ground clearance -73.9in.(standard)
    Track - Front, 53.3in.; rear, 54.5in.
    Wheelbase -L.W.B., 8ft.6in.; S.W.B., 7ft.6in.


    ENGINE 1600cc Petrol

    Type -4-stroke; overhead valves;
    Cooling system - Water pump, radiator, fan
    Number of cylinders - 4 (bored direct in block)
    Firing order & idling speed -1-3-4-2 (#1 at front)
    Bore -3.214in. (81.64mm)
    Stroke -3.OOOin. (76•20mm)
    Cubic capacity -1,595cc. (97.4cu.in)
    Compression ratio & pressure -7.0:1 (8.5:1 optional)
    Brake horse-power (net) -51.3 @ 4,200 r.p.m.
    Torque (net) lb.ft - 81.01b.ft @ 2,200 r.p.m.-
    Piston rings—number -2 compression, 1 oil -
    Oil pressure (lb./sq.in.) -25 to 35 1b/sq.in.
    Big-end bearings - Steel-backed lead-bronze
    Main bearings (No.) (type) 3, white-metal on mild steel
    Camshaft bearings -3, white-metal on mild steel
    Valve lift -0.335in.
    Valve timing -Inlet opens 36.6° B.T.D.C.;closes 69-1°A.B.D.C.
    Exhaust timing - Exhaust opens 78.6° B.B.D.C.;closes 27-1° A.T.D.C.
    Petrol pump - A.C.-Delco mechanical, No. 7950319
    Carburettor - Zenith 34IV

    TRANSMISSION

    Type -Rear wheel drive
    Clutch -Borg & Beck, 8in. single dry plate
    Gearbox -3 (or 4, optional) forward speeds, all synchromesh
    synchromesh - all
    Gearbox ratios 3 speed -3rd, 1:1; 2nd, 1-84:1; 1st, 3-94:1; reverse, 3.77:1
    Gearbox ratios 4 speed 4th, 1:1; 3rd, 2nd, 2•64:1 ; 1st reverse, 3.77:1
    Drive Axles -Semi-floating
    Final Drive gear -Hypoid
    Final Drive ratio options -4.625:1, 5-286:1, 4.111:1

    BRAKES

    Front -Girling hydraulic, 9in. diam.
    Rear -Girling hydraulic, 9in. diam.
    Hanbrake -Cable on rear wheels
    Front Linings - Mintex M35 8.61 X 1-72 0.18in
    Rear Linings - Mintex M43 8.61 X 1-72 0.18in


    STEERING

    Type -Burman recirculating ball
    Turning circle - L.W.B., 37ft.; S.W.B., 34ft (at wheels)

    SUSPENSION

    FRONT SUSPENSION
    Type -Independent, right-hand helical coil
    Number of coils - 9.5
    Spring rate -306 1b/in.
    REAR SUSPENSION
    Type -Semi-elliptic leaf springs
    Number of leaves - 7 or 8 heavy duty


    ELECTRICAL

    Petrol Diesel

    Distributor -A.C.-Delco, No. 7953029
    Ignition coil -A.C.-Delco, oil-filled
    Battery -Exide 6XNA7ZR12V 43 amp
    Battery earth -Positive
    Alternator - Dynamo Lucas, type C40-1 (alternator optional)
    Control box -Lucas, type RB340
    Starter motor -Lucas, type M35G-1

    Diesel
    Battery Diesel Exide 6TXMZ15R, 12v., 87a.h.
    Starter Lucas, type M35G-1 (diesel, M45G)

    Bedford CA Mk. 2 Van (4 x 2).

    Engine Bedford petrol or fuel injection.
    Number of cylinders 4. Cubic capacity 1594 litres (petrol), 1621 litres (fuel injection).
    B.H.P. 59 or 62 (petrol), 42 (fuel injection)
    Overall length 12 ft. 10 in. (CAS)' 13 ft. 10 in. (CAL).
    Overall width 5 ft. 10 in. Height 6 ft. 2
    Turning circle 34 ft. (CAS), 37 ft. (CAL).
    Wheel-base 7 ft. 6 in. (CAS), 8 ft. 6 in. (CAL).
    Track 4 ft. in. (front),4 ft. 6b in. (rear).
    Fuel tank capacity 7.5 gallons.
    Gross weight  1 ton 14cwt  or 1 ton 15 cwt (CAS), 1 ton 18 cwt. or 1 ton 19 cwt. (CAL).

      details
    engine configuration inline four overhead valve petrol engine
    engine displacement 1,508 cubic centimetres (92.0 cu in)
    cylinder bore 3.126 inches (79.4 mm)
    piston stroke 3.000 inches (76.2 mm)
      low compression high compression
    compression ratio 6.8:1 7.8:1
    max. motive power 52.0 bhp (38.8 kW) @ 4,000 rpm 54.8 bhp (40.9 kW) @ 4,200 rpm
    max. torque 81.7 lbf·ft (111 N·m) @ 2,400 rpm 84.5 lbf·ft (115 N·m) @ 2,400 rpm

    Dimensions

     Bedford-CA-dimension

      details
    overall width 70.0 inches (1,778 mm)
    overall height (unladen) 74.75 inches (1,899 mm)
    axle track 53.25 inches (1,353 mm) (front) 54.5 inches (1,384 mm) (rear)
      short wheelbase long wheelbase
    wheelbase 90 inches (2,286 mm) 102 inches (2,591 mm)
    overall length 154 inches (3,912 mm) 166 inches (4,216 mm)
    kerb weight 2,245 pounds (1,018 kg) 2,345 pounds (1,064 kg)
    turning circle 34 feet (10.4 m) 37 feet (11.3 m)

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Advanced Maintenance and Service Guides to download and save

Service

  • Bedford CA Maintenance and Service Guide (1952-1969)

    Normal servicing intervals -1000 miles 1600 Petrol (late)

    Ignition timing static -9° B.T.D.C.
    Sparking plugs -A.C. 43 14mm.
    Sparking plug gap -.028 to .030in.

    Engine oil change with filter - 6 pints
    Engine oil total capacity - 7.5 pints
    Gearbox - 2.1 pints 3-speed); 2.4 pints (4-speed)
    Differential -3,82 pints
    Cooling system - 11 pints
    Fuel tank -7.5 pints
    Tyre size -6.70 x 13in. (6-ply)
    Tyre pressures (lb/sq.in) -18 to 36 according to load
    No. of grease points - 22
    Hydraulic fluid -Lockheed 103

    © Motor car History

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Vehicles launched in 1952 | British Commercial vehicles | Vans | Zenith carburettor | Perkins engine | Martin Walter | campervan | TV Cars | Heartbeat | Commercial vehicles

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