Bedford CF
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Name a range of UK-built panel vans from an American-owned global brand, launched in the 60s with a wide choice of engines, body styles and weights. No, not that one! Throughout its life, the Bedford CF lived in the shadow of the Ford Transit, which had a three-year head start. Despite its conventional appearance, the CF was a semi-forward control design with much of the engine in the cab, behind a moulded cover that kept it out of sight, if not earshot. Petrol engines were initially the unusual slant-four units from the Vauxhall Victor, while diesels were a choice of Perkins 4.108 or 4.154. They were old, slow, noisy and reliable, while the rival Transit had the modern York engine, (relatively) quiet but desperately unreliable. Independent front suspension gave the CF the edge, and many were sold as ambulances. Bizarrely, given that the Bedford factory was a key bombing target in the Second World War, the German version of the CF was the Bedford Blitz. With just one major facelift, the CF continued until 1987.
Colin Barnett (editor, Truck & Driver)