Bedford HA Van

(1963-1983) 

Manufacturer	Bedford Vehicles
Production	1963–1983
Successor	Bedford Astravan
Class	Light commercial vehicle
Body style	Car derived van
Layout	Longitudinal front engine, rear-wheel drive
Related	Vauxhall Viva (HA), Bedford HB, Bedford HC

The Bedford HA was a car derived van introduced in 1963 by the Vauxhall Motors subsidiary Bedford Vehicles, based on the Vauxhall Viva (HA) family car. It was also known as the Bedford Beagle in estate form and Bedford Roma in small campervan form.

It was extremely popular with utility companies in the United Kingdom, particularly the Post Office, British Rail, Electricity Boards, British Telecom and British Gas. Many other firms such as British European Airways, DER rental and Meals on Wheels services had large fleets as well. It was the inspiration for Postman Pat's original van.

It soldiered on in production for 20 years, until 1983, where it was supplanted first by the shorter lived Vauxhall Chevette based Bedford Chevanne which was in turn replaced by the Bedford Astravan / Bedford Astramax. As the Vauxhall Viva saloon cars went through various detail changes; the bodywork of the van models stayed the same, but they did receive the larger internal combustion engines, and carburettor changes as that year's car models received. A pick up was made by Martin Walter (Dormobile) and Walker Bodies of Watford. Made in very small numbers (believed to be around 60 in total) only a handful survive today, they were sold to companies and private buyers through Vauxhall/Bedford dealerships.

HAs in film and TV

A Bedford HA was used in the filming of the Beiderbecke Trilogy, and in series two of the comedy drama Auf Wiedersehen, Pet and also in the Oscar winning movie, A Fish Called Wanda.

Auf Wiedersehen Pet TV Series Bedford HA Van