Lot Ended
Description
Rare World War Two Bedford truck in good running order;
interesting history file; current owner 20 years
The Bedford
M-Series of British military trucks served as the backbone of the British Army's
transport during World War Two. Renowned for their rugged simplicity,
reliability, and versatility, they were adapted for numerous roles on the
battlefield, playing a crucial role in the Allied victory.
Based on existing civilian designs, modified for military use with a
stronger chassis and simplified bodywork, the M-Series were powered by a
reliable 3.5-litre six-cylinder overhead-valve petrol engine. Their simple
design made them easy to maintain and repair in the field, a critical factor
during the war.
The MW variant was a light-duty,
15-cwt 4x2 truck, which meant it lacked four-wheel drive, but its powerful
motor, short wheelbase, and relatively light weight made it popular with the
troops. It was adapted for numerous roles, including as a general cargo carrier
(MWD), a water tanker (MWC), and a radio truck.
In total, over 200,000 Bedford M-Series were produced during the war,
of which around 66,000 were MW versions, and they remained in service with the
military until the late 1950s, many being adapted for civilian use
thereafter.
First registered in April 1940,
according to the V5C, this Bedford MW has a brass plaque attached to the dash
behind the steering column which states that it was: “Rebuilt to Class I on
7-2-44 by Army Auxiliary Workshop No 84”.
It
also has a buff logbook which states that it was first registered to the
Ministry of Supply in April 1944, so presumably it served throughout the war
before being rebuilt and registered for UK road use.
By the 1960s it was being used as a recovery truck by Clifford &
Sons Garage of Warboys, Hunts, as shown in photos on file. There is also an old
MOT from August 1968 which was carried out by Clifford’s
Garage.
The current keeper acquired the truck in
2005 when it still had much of the Clifford’s towing equipment attached (which
is included in the sale if desired but will need to be collected from the
Telford area - see last few photos). By this time it had fallen off the DVLA
radar but he succeeded in getting it reunited with its original number, GXB 960,
in May 2005.
A large file of invoices show that
it was restored/overhauled between 2005 – 2007 with many new parts fitted,
mainly supplied by Bygone Bedford Bits of Poole. There are also various invoices
for subsequent upkeep, including new king pins in 2013.
Other documentation includes the V5C (recording no previous owners);
an original Bedford M-Series handbook and maintenance manual; a copy of another
M-Series maintenance manual which is over 200 pages long; Bedford Owner’s Club
literature and a fair amount of other technical literature and photos, some of
which is reproduced here.
As you can see in the
photos, this old warhorse is in pretty good shape for an 85-year-old and has
been starting easily and running well on site, although we did discover that the
brakes don’t seem to do much when you press the pedal - a ‘brown
trouser moment’ we could have done without. At least we know the handbrake works
well...
Consigned by James Dennison – 07970
309907 – [email protected]