Bedford TK

1959 to 1992
Overview
Manufacturer	Bedford Vehicles
Also called	MK (military model)
Production	1959–1986 (Bedford) 1988-1992 (AWD)
Assembly	Dunstable plant
Body and chassis
Class	Commercial vehicle, military vehicle
Body style	chassis cab, flatbed, troop carrier, tipper, recovery vehicle
Layout	Longitudinal front engine, four-wheel drive (4x4)
Powertrain
Engine	103 bhp 6-cylinder diesel
Transmission	4-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	3.962 meter
Length	6.579 meter
Width	2.489 meter
Height	2.501 (cap) and 3.404 (tarpaulin)
Kerb weight	5.1 ton
Chronology
Predecessor	Bedford S type
Successor	Bedford TL

The Bedford TK is a truck that was produced by the Vauxhall Motors-owned Bedford Vehicles company. Launched in 1959 to replace the Bedford S type, the TK was scheduled to be replaced by the Bedford TL in 1981, but manufacturing of the TK continued as a cheaper alternative. A military 4x4 version called the Bedford MK was also produced. After Bedford's Dunstable factory was sold in 1987 to AWD, the TK restarted production for military only use until 1992 when AWD went into receivership.

History and use

The TK range replaced the S type in 1959, and served as the basis for a variety of derivatives, including fire engines, military, horse boxes, tippers, flatbed trucks, and other specialist utilities. A General Post Office (later British Telecom) version used for installing telegraph poles was known as the "Polecat".

1960s Film. Bedford TK trucks-coca-cola logos

Available with an inline four or inline six cylinder petrol and diesel engines - the TK was the quintessential light truck in the UK through most of the 1960s and 1970s, competing with the similar Ford D series. It was available in rigid form, and also as a light tractor unit normally using the Scammell coupling form of semi-trailer attachment.

In 1981 Bedford introduced turbocharging to the "Red Series" 3.6-litre and 5.4-litre diesel engines, now producing 72 bhp and 102 bhp respectively.

MK

Bedford MKs - a 4x4 variant of the TK - are still used by the British Armed Forces. The Bedford MK was introduced to replace the Bedford RL. It was very successful and by year end 1977 a total of 11,700 units had been produced for the British Army and overseas military services. The MK has been produced in many variants.

MK in popular culture

Bedford - RL (1953-71)