Bedford CA Vans

The Bedford CA were one of the many small vans in the 1950’s to 1980’s. They were easily identified by the sliding door and snub nosed radiator. The mark 1 version had a spilt windscreen and simple metal radiator grille

The mark 2 had a single piece windscreen and a redesigned radiator grill. I have included a wholesale groceer’s van in the short wheelbase versions

The long wheel base version of the mark 2 gained a wider door and bigger side window by adding an extra panel section.  I have included a laundry van along with vans based on Bedford colour cards for the period.

The long wheel base version also converted to a crewbus / minibus format that depended on the arrangement of the rear seating. These had rear sliding windows. I have included a school minibus in blue. 

The Bedford CA was converted into a wide range of body types. I have added a flat bed and a truck back. The blue flat bed is set up as a coal merchant and the green truck back for a builder. Perhaps, the most famous conversion was to ice cream vans but these are difficult to model convincingly.

The term “Dormobile” was invented by Bedfords for the Mark 1 camper van. Its covered rear wheel and porthole window give a certain charm. The later Dormobile Romany was based on a long wheelbase mark 2.