Lot Ended
Description
Extremely rare WW2 4x4 signals truck; one of only around six known to
survive in roadworthy order; well-known on the military show circuit; a veteran
of several D-Day Commemoration events and ready to attend the 80th
Anniversary event in Normandy in 2024; driven to the sale
One of the
iconic British vehicles of the Second World War, the Bedford QL entered service
in 1941 to re-equip the Army from the large losses suffered at Dunkirk. A
successor to the OY Series, the QL 3-ton 4x4 general service truck was Bedford’s
first vehicle designed specifically for military use and pioneered the compact
‘cab over engine’ layout that was to become so popular with later generations of
trucks.
Several variants were produced, all
sharing a common chassis and transmission layout, and
included:
QLD – general purpose cargo truck;
3-ton payload; flat bed with fixed steel sides and canvas tilt
QLB – artillery tractor with crew accommodation and
ammunition stowage
QLC – aircraft
refuelling tender
QLT – troop carrier
with extended body, rows of seats and canvas tilt
QLR – wireless and command vehicle with an enclosed rear body;
special electrical equipment; roof hatch; 660w auxiliary generator driven by the
transfer case power take-off; 28-gallon fuel tank; additional lockers and racks
beneath the body for aerials, transmitters, cables, batteries, jerry cans, tyre
chains etc.
Power came from a 3,500cc
six-cylinder petrol engine based on the Chevrolet ‘Iron Wonder’. Producing 72bhp
and bags of torque, it gave the QL a top speed of 55mph. Transmission was by
four forward gears with low range transfer box which also selected four-wheel
drive. Around 52,000 of all types were built in total.
This particular QLR signals truck carries the insignia of
1st Battalion Welsh Guards. She was built in 1942 and remained in
service until 1974, seeing post-war use as an Army recruitment caravan when she
was painted blue and white and was stripped of her generator and most of her
wireless equipment. She regained her original green/black camouflage livery
in the late 1990s.
Our vendor acquired the
truck in 2012 and has carried out some sympathetic restoration, including
repairs to the ash frame of the rear body section and replacement of the
internal panelling and the floor boards with insulation added. The windows have
been repaired with new felt slides and refurbishment of the rainwater catchment
troughs and drains. The rear and side doors have been completely remade to the
original pattern with new ash frames and refurbished latches. The interior has
been kitted out as a field kitchen, including a gas hob and fridge to keep
fellow military enthusiasts refreshed during shows and reenactments.
The
front seats have new cushions and canvas covers and the canvas radiator muff and
mud flaps are also new. There are also new canvas boots for the gear levers,
handbrake and steering column but these have yet to be fitted. The dashboard has
been refurbished with new switchgear and wiring throughout. A reversing camera
has also been discreetly fitted with a monitor above the windscreen inside the
cab. All the exterior lights have been been refurbished and hazard lights
incorporated.
On the mechanical side, the engine has had a top end
overhaul with the head skimmed, the valves ground and the manifold machined. The
bottom end has had new sump and crankshaft gaskets. The carburettor has been
rebuilt and the cooling system overhauled with wiring for an electric cooling
fan which has not yet been required or fitted. A new heavy duty alternator has
been installed in place of the dynamo and an electronic distributor has
been fitted. The exhaust system has also been replaced with a new
downpipe, silencer and stainless steel tail pipe.
The transmission has
been overhauled with new oil seals, greasing nipples and universal joints as
required. The brake system has been fully overhauled with many new parts
including the servo and master cylinder. All wheel bearings and seals have been
overhauled or renewed as required.
Always in regular use in the current
11-year ownership, she was driven some 15 miles to the sale, the vendor
reporting that she bowls along happily at 45mph with a surprisingly comfortable
ride. She also comes with an original maintenance manual and driver’s handbook
plus notes of all the works carried out to date. A useful quantity of spares are
also included, as itemised in a list on file.
Believed to be one of only six QLRs surviving in roadworthy
condition, she is well-known on the military show circuit and has already
attended several D-Day Commemoration events in Normandy. With the
80th Anniversary of D-Day coming up in June 2024, this rare QLR is
ready to cross the Channel once more and will connect the fortunate new owner to
a thriving social scene in the company of fellow reenactors.
For more information contact James on
07970 309907 or email [email protected]