Categories
Bedford
Vans Pick-ups
1980s
Britain

History

 Bedford Rascal

 (1986 to 1993)
Bedford Rascal van history
ManufacturerBedford Vehicles Vauxhall Motors
Also calledVauxhall Rascal GME Rascal
Production1986–1993 (England) 1993-1999 (Japan)
AssemblyLuton, United Kingdom
Body style5-door van 2-door pickup campervan
LayoutFMR layout
Engine970 cc (1.0 L) F10A I4
Transmission4/5-speed manual
Wheelbase1,840 mm (72.4 in)
Length3,295 mm (129.7 in)
Width1,395 mm (54.9 in)
Height1,780 mm (70.1 in)
Curb weight755 kg (1,664 lb)

  

The Bedford Rascal (later Vauxhall Rascal), also built as the Suzuki Super Carry is a microvan that was developed as a joint venture between General Motors (GM) and Suzuki It was sold under GM's British-based Bedford marque as well as in Suzuki form. Other names were used in a few international markets.

The van was produced at the IBC Vehicles plant in Luton, England, adjacent to the main Vauxhall factory (GM's British-based passenger car marque). Alongside the Bedford, the Suzuki-branded twin was manufactured for the European market (where Bedford is a less established brand).

Bedford Rascal side view 1980s

Sold from 1986 to 1994, the Rascal, like the Super Carry, was a small and economical van intended for many purposes. The vehicle's strengths were its diminutive size and maximum payload weight; 550 kg for the van and 575 kg for the pickup.

Bedford Rascal engine view

The principal visible difference between Bedford and Suzuki versions is the front trim: the Super Carry has two separate plastic headlamp surrounds and the Rascal has a single full width one with "Bedford" moulded in the middle.

Timeline:

  • 1986: launched
  • 1990: re-badged as the Vauxhall Rascal, as the Bedford marque was being retired
  • 1993: production moved to Japan, where it was made until 1999

Mostly sold as vans, pickup and camper versions were also made.

Bedford Rascal pick up truck 1980s

Related items
Vehicles launched in 1986 | British Commercial vehicles | Vans | Micro car | Pick-up | campervan | Commercial vehicles

Technical

  • Bedford Rascal Technical details and specifications (1986-1993)

    ENGINE: 1.0/45P
    Number of cylinders-in line 4: No. 1 pulley end
    Firing order - 1-3-4-2
    Cubic capacity -970cm3
    Bore/Stroke -65.5/72mm
    Compression ratio - 8.8:1
    Piston rings—number - 2 compression 1 oil
    Oil pressure bar -2.9/4.4 (43/64) at 3000rpm
    Main bearings - 5
    Camshaft bearings -5
    Camshaft drive type -Toothed belt
    Cam lift - Height: 36.152mm
    Octane rating (RON)-92
    Brake horsepower (DIN) -44 at 5300rpm
    Torque (DIN) Nm (1b ft) -75 (55.3) at 3200rpm
    Valve operation -OHC V formation valves
    Dwell angle -52°±3°
    Contact breaker gap - 0.4/0.5mm
    Ignition timing — 8° BTDC at 900rpm -
    Timing marks -Flywheel
    Fuel pump - Electric,500cm3/min
    Carburettor make/type - Mikuni

    COOLING SYSTEM
    Type -Water pump, radiator
    Radiator pressure cap -0.9 bar
    Fan -Belt driven
    Thermostat opens-82°C or 88°C

    DRIVE

    Type - Rear wheel drive
    Clutch -180mm cable operated
    Manual gearbox type - 5 speed
    Manual gearbox ratios -0.80; 1; 1.42; 1.95; 3.65; R 3.47:1
    Drive shafts -Semi floating
    Final drive -5.13:1

    BRAKES
    Type -split dual circuit
    Front -Discs 215x10mm
    Rear -Drums 220mm
    Handbrake -Mechanical, on rear wheels

    STEERING
    Type -Rack and pinion

    SUSPENSION
    Front - Coil springs/struts/anti-roll
    Rear -Semi-elliptic leaf springs

    ELECTRICAL
    Battery -12V 35Ah neg earth
    Alternator -40A
    Regulated voltage -14.2/ 15.2V
    Starter -0.6 or 0.8kW

    DIMENSIONS : Van
    Length overall -3290mm (129.5in)
    Width overall -1400mm (55in)
    Height overall -1780mm (70.1in)
    Weight—kerb -785kg (1731 1b)
    Ground clearance -150mm (5.9 in)
    Wheelbase -1840mm (72.4in)
    Track—front/ rear -210/ 1200mm (47.6/47.2in)

    DIMENSIONS :Pick up
    Length overall -3250mm (128in)
    Width overall -1400mm (55in)
    Height overall -1770mm (69.7in)
    Weight—kerb -760mm (1676in)
    Ground clearance -150mm (5.9in)
    Wheelbase -1840mm (72.4in)
    Track—front/ rear -1210/ 1200mm (47.6/47.2in)

    © Motor car History

Service

  • Bedford Rascal maintenance and Service Guide (1986-1993)

    Service -6000 miles or 6 months
    Engine oil -3.5 litres
    Gearbox oil -1.3 litres
    Differential oil -1.3 litres
    Cooling system -4.0 litres
    Fuel tank -van 37 litres, Pick up 36 litres
    Tyre size -155 SR 12
    Hydraulic fluid type -DOT 4
    Valve clearances mm (in) In/Ex O. 13/0.18 (.005/.007) check Cold
    Spark plugs make/type - NGK BPR-5ES or Nippon Denso W16EX-U
    Spark plugs GAP -0.7/0.8mm

    © Motor car History

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