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Bedford Blitz on German market
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• A range of Bedford trucks modified for the German market will make its first public appearance at the Frankfurt Motor Show (September 13-23).
Opel, a sister-company of Vauxhall within the General Motors organization, is to market the trucks through its dealer network. As recently as March a similar marketing programme was announced, involving specially tailored versions of the Bedford CF van range, and 1600 vans have so far been shipped to German dealers.
Both vans and trucks are being sold in Germany with the Bedford Blitz badge. "Blitz" is the long-established name carried by Opel commercial vehicles.
Derived from the 8.5 /10-ton-gvw Bedford KD and KE models already sold on the Continent, the trucks for Germany have been extensively revised to meet local regulations and specific operator requirements, says Vauxhall. The new specifications have been evolved in consultation with Opel engineers. Features special to the German Bedfords include a stronger chassis frame with extra length to accommodate metric body sizes; a deeper-section rear end to provide for drawbar coupling; a front towing pin; dual air /hydraulic
brakes with two-line trailer braking to German standards; provision for a higherpower engine option; special cab equipment, including reclining driving seat and padded trim; rev. counter and tachograph; wheel hub caps; wheel-chock mounted on the chassis.
Gross weights at 7490kg (7.38 tons), 8990kg (8.83 tons) and 10,200kg (10 tons) are closely matched to appropriate tax class limits governing licensing, test certification and equipment as currently applied in Germany.
Short-wheelbase versions (3.4 metres; 1351n.) are suitable for standard 4.5m (14ft 9in.) bodywork, while the 3.9m (15 tin.) wheelbase models take 5m bodies.
Depending on model, the Bedford 330 cu.in. (5.42-lite) and Mark 11 466 cu.in. (7.63-litre) diesel engine are specified, rated at 100 and 120 bhp (DIN) respectively. German law requires 8 bhp (DIN) per tonne of gross train weight.
Versions powered by the 330 diesel permit a gtw of 12,500kg (12.3 tons) for drawbar trailer operation, rising to 15,000kg (14.8 tons) when the 466 engine is specified.
Three examples of the new trucks will be on display at the Frankfurt Show on the Opel stand. The CF medium van range will be represented by eight vehicles with varied types of bodywork including bus, motor caravan, dropside truck and boxvan.