Motor Car History
 Veteran - Vintage - Classic - Modern
Motor car history
Understanding the Automobile
Toggle Navigation
  • Home
  • Makes and models
  • Motor car History
  • Innovations
  • Trivia
  • Help Guide
  • links
  • You are here:  
  • Motor Car
  • Make and Model
  • B
  • Bedford
  • Bedford TK (1959-1992)

Bedford TK

1959 to 1992
Bedford TK history
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".

Bedford-TK-trucks-coca-cola

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.

1971 Bedford MK truck.

MK in popular culture

Bedford - RL (1953-71)

The Bedford MK has had many appearances over the years, in TV such as Doctor Who, the Saint and Heartbeat. can often be seen in films from the 1960s.

Bedford TK in The Fast Lady Movie from 1962

bedford-TK-The-Fast-Lady-Movie-1962

Bedford
Return
Bedford TJ (1953-1986) 22 / 31 Bedford TL (1980-1992)
Send
Print
More information on
Bedford TK truck

Related

motor car on you tube

Categories
Bedford
Vehicles launched in 1959 | British Commercial vehicles | Lorry-Trucks | Military | TV Cars | Commercial vehicles

Gallery

Gallery
         

Read more in this section

Bedford VAL coach (1963-1972)
Bedford VAL coach (1963-1972)
Read more...
Bedford TK (1959-1992)
Bedford TK (1959-1992)
Read more...
Bedford WTL (1934-1935)
Bedford WTL (1934-1935)
Read more...

  • You are here:  
  • Motor Car
  • Make and Model
  • B
  • Bedford

Back to Top

© 2021 Motor Car History

X

Right Click

No right click