Bedford VAL

Bedford VAL
Bedford VAL70 with Plaxton Panorama Elite II bodywork
Overview
ManufacturerBedford (Bedford)
Production1965–1975
Body and chassis
Doors2 door
Floor typeStep entrance
Chronology
PredecessorBedford SB
SuccessorBedford Y series
A 1970 built VAL70 with Duple Viceroy bodywork

The Bedford VAL is a type of coach chassis that was built by Bedford in the United Kingdom from the mid-1960s to the early 1970s. It was unusual at the time for its multi-axle design, in a "chinese six" wheelplan, i.e. with two front steering axles.

Originally it was fitted with the Leyland O.400 straight six diesel engine. With this engine, the chassis was designated VAL14.

Over 900 VAL14s were built, from 1963 to 1966, with the largest orders coming from Wallace Arnold of Leeds, Seamarks of Westoning, Don Everall of Wolverhampton, and Bartons.

From 1967, the VAL70, with the slightly larger 466 cubic inches (7.64 L) engine of Bedford's own manufacture, quickly superseded the VAL14.