Bedford CA

Bedford CA
Overview
ManufacturerBedford
Also calledEnvoy
Production1952–1969
AssemblyLuton, England
Body and chassis
ClassLight commercial vehicle
Body styleVan
LayoutLongitudinal front engine, rear-wheel drive
RelatedBedford Dormobile
Powertrain
Engine1.5 L I4 OHV,
1.6 L I4 OHV
Transmission3-speed manual,
4-speed manual
Dimensions
WheelbaseSWB: 90 in (2,286 mm)
LWB: 102 in (2,591 mm)
LengthSWB: 154 in (3,912 mm)
LWB: 166 in (4,216 mm)
Width70.0 in (1,778 mm)
Height74.75 in (1,899 mm)
Kerb weightSWB: 2,245 lb (1,018 kg)
LWB: 2,345 lb (1,064 kg)
Chronology
PredecessorBedford PC[1]
SuccessorBedford CF
Bedford CA ambulance. Curved windscreens were expensive in the early 1950s, and until 1958 the CA used a "split-screen" windscreen.
Bedford CA panel van
Bedford CA pickup
As the 1960s progressed, the Bedford CA chassis found itself used as the basis for an increasingly flamboyant succession of motor homes such as this 1965 Dormobile Debonaire. The front windscreen is shared with the standard van along with the mechanical components.

The Bedford CA was a distinctive pug-nosed light commercial vehicle produced between 1952 and 1969 by Bedford in Luton, England.

It was manufactured in short-wheelbase and long-wheelbase forms, each form available in either a 10–12 cwt or a 15 cwt version.[2]

Generally it was supplied as a light delivery van with sliding doors, but it was also available as a chassis with cowl upon which specialist bodywork could be added.[2] The Bedford Dormobile was a Campervan conversion based on the Bedford CA van.

The CA was also exported to Canada and sold as the Envoy CA, as part of the Envoy brand line-up. In its 17 year production run 370,000 were manufactured.[3][4]

  1. ^ Miller, Denis N. (1972). Vanderveen, Bart H. (ed.). A Source Book of Commercial Vehicles. London: Olyslager Organisation, Ward Lock Limited. p. 80. ISBN 0-7063-1286-4.
  2. ^ a b Bedford CA Service Training Manual. 1959.
  3. ^ A bigger Bedford from Britain Truck & Bus Transportation May 1970 page 67
  4. ^ Delivery van is bigger than its predecessor Freight & Container Transportation September 1970 page 35