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  • Bedford CF Series 1 (1969-1983)
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Bedford CF Series 1

 (1969-1983)
Bedford CF Series 1 (1969-1983) van history
Overview
Manufacturer Bedford Vehicles
Also called Opel Bedford Blitz
Production 1969–1983
Body and chassis
Class Light commercial vehicle
Body style Van
Layout Longitudinal front engine, rear-wheel drive
Related Bedford Dormobile
Powertrain
Engine

Slant Four 1.6 L 1.8 L 2.0 L 2.25 L 2.3 L

Holden straight 6 2.85 L 3.3 L
Transmission 3-speed manual 4-speed manual 5-speed manual 3-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase 106–140 in (2,692–3,556 mm)
Chronology
Predecessor Bedford CA

 

The Bedford CF was a model of light commercial vehicle produced by Bedford Vehicles for almost twenty years from the late 1960s. In Germany and certain other continental markets, the CF was sold through Opel dealers as the Opel Bedford Blitz from 1973 on.

CF

Introduced November 1969 to replace the 17 year old Bedford CA, the CF van variants soon became some of the most popular light commercial vehicles on British roads.

The CF could be specified with a sliding door in the side panel directly behind the passenger door, and it was generally with this layout that the van was also commonly used as a base vehicle for a caravanette.

The engine was the well-proven Slant Four engine which was introduced for the Vauxhall FD Victor models in 1967. Apart from an increased engine capacity from 1.6 l (1,598 cc) to 1.8 l (1,759 cc) units and from 2.0 l (1,975 cc) to 2.3 l (2,279 cc) in 1972, the power units remained unchanged. A four cylinder 1.8 l (1,760 cc) Perkins diesel engine could be specified for an extra GB£130 (1969), while a larger 2.5 l (2,523 cc) version was used for heavier versions. In 1977, a 2.1 l (2,064 cc) overhead valve (OHV) diesel engine from Opel replaced the outdated Perkins units.

In Australasian markets, the CF could be optioned with Holden six-cylinder units, in 2,850 cc (173.9 cu in) and 3,310 cc (202.0 cu in) forms. This was as an answer to the rival Ford Transit range, which in Australia used six-cylinder engines from the Ford Falcon vehicles.

The Bedford used the same basic suspension lay-out as the Vauxhall Victor, though married to greater wheel arch clearances and calibrated for greater weight carrying capacity. The front independent suspension featured a double wishbone layout with coil springs and telescopic shock absorbers, while the rear wheels were suspended by a combination involving a live axle and traditional long single-leaf springs.

Several different manual transmissions were used, namely the Vauxhall three-speed, four-speed, Bedford four-speed, ZF four-speed, ZF five-speed, and the General Motors automatic. The Laycock type of overdrive was available to order or on the later Vauxhall four-speed models.

There were three CF1 body styles. A standard panel van which was intended to rival the Ford Transit; the special van body (essentially a self-contained cab with a general-purpose chassis onto which a wide range of custom-built bodies or beds could be built), and the Dormobile (caravanette).

Bedford CF MK1 Body types

CF1 "facelift"

The CF series 1 facelift was introduced in 1980, introducing the 2.3 L (2,260 cc) Opel 23D diesel engine with 61 hp (45.5 kW).

Units exported to Germany (Bedford Blitz) received a smaller, 2.0 L (1,998 cc) diesel, producing 60 PS (44 kW; 59 hp).The 1.8 and 2.3 litre petrol units remained the same.

The restyled front end was engineered so that by removing 8 bolts the whole front panel could be completely removed, providing easy access to the engine so it could be removed from the front instead of from underneath like on the CF1.

(The CF1 "facelift" is often confused with being a CF2 because it's difficult to tell them apart from the exterior. The easiest visual check is that that the CF facelift will have the same old metallic door handles and mirrors as the CF1 while on the CF2 have new plastic ones.)

Commercial

The Bedford CF van was the second most popular van in the UK, second only to the Ford Transit. Along with the Transit, the CF was usefully wider than competitor vehicles from Austin-Morris, Rootes and Volkswagen. It was also the most common caravanette. CFs were popular with customisers throughout the 1970s and 1980s.

Users

The Bedford CF was widely used. The British police, in particular, used them for prisoner transport and as riot vans. The British Military also had a fleet of CFs. They were used by builders and builders' merchants, as well as by courier services and the Post Office. They were also a popular caravanette due to their space and reasonable fuel consumption. They were used as ice cream vans in Britain.

 

1982

Facelift models introduced (preceded by Facelift dash and wiring introduced 1981)

 Bedford CF MK1

Technical

  • Bedford CF Series 1 Technical details and specifications (1969-1983) 

    BEDFORD ENGINE 1.8 litre (Petrol)
    Type - 4-stroke, single overhead camshaft
    Cooling system -Water pump, radiator (151b), fan, thermostat (90.5°C.)
    Number of cylinders -4 (direct in block)
    Firing order - 1-3-4-2 (No. 1 front)
    Idiing speed -775/825 r.p.m.; auto., 725/775 r.p.m.
    Bore -3.375in
    Stroke -3in
    Cubic capacity -1759cc
    Comp.ratio-7-6:1
    Brake horse-power (DIN) -67 at 5000 r.p.m.
    Torque (DIN) -89 at 2000 r.p.m.
    Gudgeon pin diameter -1.000/0.9999in. (top grade)
    Crankpin diameter -1.000/0.9999in. (top grade)
    Connecting rod length -5-376/5-374in. (centre)
    Camshaft drive type -Toothed belt, 48xO.75in, O.5in pitch
    Valve timing (•008in.cl.) -Inlet valve peak 106° A.T.D.C.
    Petrol pump -AC mechanical
    Carburettor -Zenith 361VEP or Weber 341ct


    BEDFORD ENGINE 2.3 litre (Petrol)
    Type - 4-stroke, single overhead camshaft
    Cooling system -Water pump, radiator (151b), fan, thermostat (90.5°C.)
    Number of cylinders -4 (direct in block)
    Firing order -1-3-4-2 (No. 1 front)
    Idiing speed -775/825 r.p.m.; auto., 725/775 r.p.m.
    Bore -3.84in. Inlet
    Stroke -3in
    Cubic capacity -2279cc
    Comp. ratio and pressure-7-5:1 110 lb
    Brake horse-power (DIN) -79 at 4600 r.p.m.
    Torque (DIN) -124 at 1800 r.p.m.
    Gudgeon pin diameter -1.000/0.9999in. (top grade)
    Crankpin diameter -1.000/0.9999in. (top grade)
    Connecting rod length -5-376/5-374in. (centre)
    Camshaft drive type -Toothed belt, 48xO.75in, O.5in pitch
    Valve timing (•008in.cl.) -valve peak 106° A.T.D.C.
    Petrol pump -AC mechanical
    Carburettor -Zenith 361VEP or Weber 341ct

    ENGINE ( GM Opel Diesel) 2260 cc 1981 on
    Type 4-stroke, indirect injection
    single O.H.C. in-line valves
    Cooling system -Water pump, radiator fan, thermostat (90.5°C.)
    Number of cylinders -4
    Firing order - 1-3-4-2
    Idling speed -650/750 r.p.m. Governed speed 4400 r.p.m.
    Bore -92.O mm
    Stroke -85.O mm
    Cubic capacity -2260 cc
    Comp.ratio - 22:1
    Brake horsepower (DIN) PS -61.8 at 4000 r.p.m.
    Torque (DIN) -12.9kg.m. (93.31 lbft) at 2500 r.p.m.
    Oil pressure -1.8kg at 600 r.p.m.
    Gudgeon pin diameter -30mm
    Crankpin diameter -54mm
    Connecting rod length -157mm. (centres)
    Main bearings -5
    Valve timing -24° BT-76°AB-48°BB-27°AT
    Injection pump -Bosch
    Injection pressure -125/133kg./cm.2

    1969

    Model Type Model Designation Engine Wheelbase (inch/metre) GVW (lb.)
    18 cwt. 97100 97.5 cu. in. gasoline 106/2.692 4793
    18 cwt. 97200 4.108 diesel 106/2.692 4793
    22 cwt. 97300 120.5 cu. in. gasoline 106/2.692 5331
    22 cwt. 97400 4.108 diesel 106/2.692 5331
    25 cwt. 97500 120.5 cu. in. gasoline 126/3.20 6003
    25 cwt. 97600 4.154 diesel 126/3.20 6003
    35 cwt. 97700 120.5 cu. in. gasoline 126/3.20 7236
    35 cwt. 97800 4.154 diesel 126/3.20 7236

    4390 lb. GVW available for models 97100, 97200 as Code 533. Vauxhall OHC 97.5 cu. in. (1598 cc) and 120.5 cu. in. (1975 cc) gasoline engines available as high or low compression. Perkins 108 cu. in. (1770 cc) and 154 cu. in. (2523 cc) diesel engines. All models available as van (/70), chassis cab (/60) or chassis cowl (/90). E.g.: 97170 18 cwt. van; 97760 35 cwt. chassis cab, 97590 25 cwt. chassis cowl.

    1972 107.4 cu. in. (1759 cc) and 139 cu. in. (2279 cc) Vauxhall low compression OHC engines introduced from chassis number 2V610007.

    1973

    18 cwt. models (97100, 97200) replaced by 14/18 cwt. models. Gasoline engines: only 107.4 cu. in. (1759 cc) and 139 cu. in. (2279 cc) low compression available. (Unclear when OHC 97.5 cu. in. (1598 cc) and 120.5 cu. in. (1975 cc) gasoline engines discontinued.)

    1978 from chassis number HY600001

    Model Type Model Designation Engine Wheelbase (mm/inch) GVW (kg/ton) Axle Ratio
    18 cwt. 97100 1759 cc (107.5 cu. in.) gasoline 2692/106 2235/2.2 8/37
    18 cwt. 97F00 2064 cc (126 cu. in.) diesel 2692/106 2235/2.2 8/37
    22 cwt. 97300 2279 cc (139 cu. in.) gasoline 2692/106 2500/2.46 8/37
    22 cwt. 97G00 2064 cc (126 cu. in.) diesel 2692/106 2500/2.46 8/37
    25 cwt. 97500 2279 cc (139 cu. in.) gasoline 3200/126 2828/2.78 11/49
    25 cwt. 97H00 2064 cc (126 cu. in.) diesel 3200/126 2828/2.78 9/47
    35 cwt. 97700 2279 cc (139 cu. in.) gasoline 3200/126 3375/3.32 9/47
    35 cwt. 97800 2064 cc (126 cu. in.) diesel 3200/126 3375/3.32 9/47

    GM diesel engines introduced; Perkins diesel engines discontinued. 97F00 SVOS (Special Version Option Scheme) 8294: 1900 cc diesel engine in place of 2064 cc diesel engine. Electric van: Designation 97300 Code 123 (unclear when introduced).

    1979

    Model Type Model Designation Engine Wheelbase (mm/inch) GVW (kg/ton) Axle Ratio
    CF220 97100 1759 cc (107.5 cu. in.) gasoline 2692/106 2235/2.2 8/37
    CF220 97F00 1998 cc (121.9 cu. in.) diesel 2692/106 2235/2.2 8/37
    CF250 97300 2279 cc (139 cu. in.) gasoline 2692/106 2500/2.46 8/37
    CF250 97G00 1998 cc (121.9 cu. in.) diesel 2692/106 2500/2.46 8/37
    CF280 97500 2279 cc (139 cu. in.) gasoline 3200/126 2828/2.78 11/49
    CF280 97H00 1998 cc (121.9 cu. in.) diesel 3200/126 2828/2.78 9/47
    CF340 97700 2279 cc (139 cu. in.) gasoline 3200/126 3375/3.32 9/47
    CF340 97K00 1998 cc (121.9 cu. in.) diesel 3200/126 3375/3.32 9/47
    CF350 97700 2279 cc (139 cu. in.) gasoline 3200/126 3375/3.32 9/47
    CF350 97K00 1998 cc (121.9 cu. in.) diesel 3200/126 3375/3.32 9/47

     

    CF350 only available as chassis cab (/60) or chassis cowl (/90) 2064 cc (126 cu. in.) GM diesel engine discontinued. 2260 cc (137.9 cu. in.) GM diesel engine introduced from chassis number LY600101.

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Vehicles launched in 1969 | British Commercial vehicles | Vans | Straight-6 cars | Perkins engine | campervan | Commercial vehicles

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