THE BEDFORD CA AT SEVENTY

Sometimes, the callow future classic enthusiast fails to recognise a ground-breaking vehicle in their midst. During the late 1970s, this writer mainly associated the CA with panel vans of varying degrees of decrepitude lurching around Southampton. The driver would often be a relic of the Gene Vincent era, smoke Woodbines and make unofficial hand signals as the Bedford lurched along the A27. In my defence, I was aged only eight and regarded the locally built Ford Transit Mk. II as the epitome of the modern light commercial.

Today, as the CA approaches its 70^th birthday, it is rightly praised as one of Britain’s most important vans. However, when it debuted in March of 1952, the new Bedford made all its domestic rivals look dated by comparison. At a time of the side-valve engine Thames E83W and the 1932-looking Jowett Bradford, the CA offered a 1.5-litre OHV from the recently launched E-Series Vauxhall Wyvern. The specification even included independent front suspension, and the CA’s lines made the Morris-Commercial J look faintly dated, even though it was only three years older. As for the contrast with the outgoing JC range, it was not so much vast as almost infinite.

Your friendly local dealer would have undoubtedly pointed out how Bedford devised the sliding doors for ease of entry in narrow streets. Furthermore, those smart lines would surely enhance your business’s image, and another CA sales point was the semi-forward control engine layout. The external bonnet may have only allowed access to the radiator and fan belt – major servicing was a detachable panel below the fascia – but it meant a large payload. When combined with a three-speed steering column gear change, it also allowed for three occupants on the front bench seat.

Above all, an operator could drive a Bedford with the same ease as a passenger car – anyone transferring from a Wyvern would have felt quite at home. For the next thirteen years, the CA was arguably the market leader, even with newer competitors such as the BMC J4 and the Commer FC. However, October of 1965 saw Ford unveil their new Transit, and by the time the CF succeeded the CA in 1969, the Bedford marque no longer dominated the UK’s light commercial fleets.

But this cannot distract from the importance of the CA back in 1952. Naturally, there will be other blogs later this year detailing its many uses, from ambulance and minibus to ice cream van and, of course, motor home. For now, in tribute to a great Bedford, here is possibly its most famous screen appearance. Enjoy…