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BEDFORD Vauxhall Motors Ltd.
Page 97
Page 98
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Luton, Beds.
CHANGES were announced to the specifications of Bedford passenger chassis last month. These consisted of the introduction of the Bedford "70" diesel engine and associated transmission components for the VAM and the twin-steer VAL The "70" diesel engine was developed for the Bedford KM range of heavy goods chassis introduced in September of last year and maximum gross output from the 466 Cu. in. six-cylinder diesel unit is 143 b.h.p. at 2,800 r.p.m. Gross torque is 328 lb. ft. at 1.600 r.p.m. As with all current Bedford diesels the cooling system includes end-to-end water flow in the cylinder head which helps eliminate gasket troubles.
No major modifications to the VAM and VAL chassis have been needed to accommodate the new engine.
The VAM has a wheelbase of 16ft 1 in and when the -70diesel is fitted the gross weight rating is 10 tons. An optional power unit in this chassis is the Bedford 300 Cu. in. six-cylinder diesel in which case a four-speed synchromesh gearbox or five-speed direct-top gearbox can be supplied. When the petrol engine is specified the gross rating of the chassis is 9.68 tons.
Wheelbase of the VAL is 19ft 3in. and this chassis is rated for 10.9 tons gross weight. And whereas the VAM can accommodate bodies up to 32ft long the VAL can take bodies up to the current maximum length is 36ft. An alternator is now standard on the VAL which brings it into line with the electrical specification for the VAM and both chassis are available with Bedford two-speed rear axles.
The smallest Bedford chassis designed for bus and coach use is the VAS which has a wheelbase of 13ft. 8in, and is designed for 6.4 tons gross. This model continues to be available with either the Bedford 214 Cu. in. six-cylinder petrol engine which produces 100 b.h.p. or the 330 Cu. in. six-cylinder diesel with an output of 107 b.h.p.
The Bedford SB bus and coach chassis is the final offering in this category from the company and this has a wheelbase of 18ft. for a gross vehicle weight of 8.26 tons. While the VAS is suitable for 23ft. 9in. long body-work the SB can accommodate 30ft.-Iong bodies and these two chassis have 20in wheels as against 16in on the VAL and VAS. The SB is obtainable with the same engine options as the VAS.
As well as these full-size passenger chassis carrying the Bedford name, there are smaller designs. namely the J2S and various types based on the Bedford CA van chassis. The J2S is a forward-control version of the Bedford 3-ton goods chassis and is available with either petrol or diesel engine. The chassis makes a good foundation for 14-. 17-, 19or 21-seat buses.
In the case of the CA chassis an example worth mentioning is a p.s.v. version offered by Martin Walter which has a reinforced-plastics body and is designed for a driver and 11 passengers.