Info
Bedford CF Series 1
(1969-1983) | |
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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 In 1977, a 2.1 l (2,064 cc) overhead valve (OHV) diesel engine from Opel replaced the outdated Perkins units.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).
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)
Technical
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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 341ctENGINE ( 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.21969
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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