Bedford HA#BTV

File:1981 Bedford HA 110 Van (British Telecom).jpg

The Bedford HA was extremely popular with utility companies in the United Kingdom, particularly the Royal Mail, British Rail, electricity boards, the GPO (later British Telecom (BT)), and British Gas. Many other firms such as British European Airways and Meals on Wheels services had large fleets as well. It was the inspiration for Postman Pat's original van.{{citation needed|date=June 2021}} It was originally available in 6 cwt and heavier duty 8 cwt models (payloads of {{convert|6|or|8|long cwt|lb kg|disp=out}}), with the chassis codes HAE and HAV respectively. Gross vehicle weights were {{convert|2400|and|2615|lb|kg|round=5|abbr=on}} respectively.{{sfn| Olyslager | 1965 |p=3 }} The 8 cwt had a heavier rear axle, bigger tyres, and a sixth leaf in the rear springs.{{citation | ref = HA71 | title = What's a Bedford HA van got... | type = brochure | publisher = Vauxhall Motors Limited | location = Luton, England | id = B 1336/1/71 | date = January 1971 | pages = 6, 14 }} The 8 cwt was generally better equipped, offering a number of chromed trim parts (bumpers, mirrors, etcetera) and slightly plusher interior fittings. By 1971 the 6 cwt had been downgraded further yet, and now only came with a driver's seat as standard. A fold-down rear seat was available as an option.What has a Bedford HA van got..., p. 4

File:1968 Bedford Roma Mark I Deluxe (Dormobile), front left side (cropped).jpg

The Bedford Roma, a three berth campervan with a cloth extending roof, was produced from October 1967 until 1973.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/cars/classic/uks-rarest-cars-1968-bedford-ha-roma-one-of-only-18-left/ | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20231203173648/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/cars/classic/uks-rarest-cars-1982-bedford-ha-110-public-utility-one-six-left/ | archive-date = 2023-12-03 | title=UK's rarest cars: 1968 Bedford HA Roma, one of only 18 left on British roads |first=Andrew B. |last=Roberts |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |url-access=limited |date=23 June 2023 |access-date=23 June 2023}}

By the late seventies, the denominations had been changed to HA 110 and HA 130 respectively, with payload ratings of {{convert|371|and|546|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}}.Bedford HA range (1977), p. 2 In September 1964, for the 1965 model year, the Viva and HA Van received minor changes such as a quicker steering rack, new door trim, and a modified choke control.{{harvnb|Olyslager |1965|p= 5}} In Australia, the Bedford HA was sold as the "Bedford Handi-Van" from 1964 until 1970.

Production ended in September 1983, with 689,512 produced.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/cars/classic/uks-rarest-cars-1982-bedford-ha-110-public-utility-one-six-left/ |title=UK's rarest cars: 1982 Bedford HA 110 'public utility', one of only six left on British roads |first=Andrew B |last=Roberts |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |url-access=limited |date=12 February 2021 |access-date=23 June 2023}}

The early {{convert|1057|cc|cid|abbr=on}} version had a lower compression ratio than the Viva saloon (7.3:1 rather than the usual 8.5:1), producing {{convert|47.8|hp|kW|abbr=on}} gross, or {{convert|40.3|hp|kW|abbr=on}} net, both at 5,200 rpm.Olyslager, p. 7 In 1967, the HA received the engine of the changed Viva. This {{convert|1159|cc|cid|abbr=on}} was essentially the same as the earlier powerplant; although net power was down to a claimed {{convert|32.2|hp|kW|abbr=on}} at 4,600 rpm. It ran on the lowest rated fuel and was fitted with a {{convert|17|mm|in|abbr=on}}-bore carburettor for even higher fuel mileage.What has a Bedford HA van got..., pp. 3, 14 The later models powered by the 1,256 cc engine offered {{convert|48|hp|kW|abbr=on}} gross at 5,400 rpm, or {{convert|39|hp|kW|abbr=on}} net at 4,600 rpm.{{citation | title = Bedford: 6cwt–22cwt range | url = http://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=urn:gvn:NCAD01:1000522&role=pdf | publisher = Commercial vehicle sales, Vauxhall Motors Ltd. | location = Luton, UK | id = B1396/2/1972 | page = 8 | ref = cwt | year = 1972 }} By 1977 only net horsepower ratings were offered, with power up to {{convert|31.7|kW|bhp|abbr=on}} at 4,800 rpm. As for all three generations of HAs, the compression ratio remained 7.3 to 1. For the lighter duty HA 110 there was also an 'Economy' version, with a CD carburettor (constant depression), a redesigned manifold, and a different camshaft. This version offered up to 30% lower fuel consumption, although power did drop to {{convert|24.4|bhp|kW|0|disp=flip|abbr=on}} at 3,800 rpm.

File:Bedford ha pick up.jpg

The HA continued on in production for nearly twenty years, until 1983. It was first supplanted by the short lived Vauxhall Chevette-based Bedford Chevanne 1976; the Chevanne was in turn replaced by the Opel-based Bedford Astravan / Bedford Astramax in September 1982. The HA continued to be available for another year as a simple, low-cost alternative with maximum interior space.{{cite magazine | url = https://archive.commercialmotor.com/article/23rd-october-1982/53/lightweights-scatter-but-talbot-lives-on | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210826103324/http://archive.commercialmotor.com/article/23rd-october-1982/53/lightweights-scatter-but-talbot-lives-on | archive-date = 2021-08-26 | ref = CM3987 | title = Lightweights scatter but Talbot lives on | magazine = Commercial Motor | first1 = Bill | last1 = Brock | first2 = Tim | last2 = Blakemore | pages = 83-84 | volume = 156 | number = 3987 | date = 1982-10-23 }} Despite the fact that the Vauxhall Viva upon which it was based had gone through two further model generations, the bodywork of the HA van stayed the same until its eventual discontinuation in 1983, although it did receive some of the technical upgrades from the newer HB and HC Vivas. The {{convert|1159|cc|cid|abbr=on}} engine arrived in 1967, followed by a {{convert|1256|cc|cid|abbr=on}} in 1972. A pickup was also made by Martin Walter (Dormobile) - who also made the Beagle conversion - and by Walker Bodies of Watford. Made in very small numbers (believed to be around 60 in total) only a handful of these survive today: they were originally sold to companies and private buyers directly through Vauxhall/Bedford dealerships.

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{{anchor|BTV|Amigo|Andino|Harimau|Mitaí|Morina}}

File:Gm amigo 1.JPG

File:1972 GM Amigo - Portugal, by Freggs.jpg

In the early 1970s there were a number of basic utility vehicles developed for the developing world. Volkswagen (EA489), Citroën (FAF), and many others including General Motors tried to create cheap and basic transport which could be manufactured locally with a minimal up-front investment. GM's effort was developed by General Motors Overseas Operations (GMOO) and was called the "Basic Transportation Vehicle" (BTV).{{cite web | title = 1974 Basic Transportation Vehicle | url = https://history.gmheritagecenter.com/wiki/index.php/1974_Basic_Transportation_Vehicle | publisher = General Motors | work = GM Heritage Center | first = Bill | last = Bowman | accessdate = 2014-09-25 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170730021622/https://history.gmheritagecenter.com/wiki/index.php/1974_Basic_Transportation_Vehicle | archive-date = 30 July 2017 |url-status = dead}} It was marketed under a variety of names depending on where it was built.{{cite web | title = Bedford HA - BTV (Basic Transport Vehicle) | url = http://vauxpedianet.uk2sitebuilder.com/bedford-ha---btv-basic-transport-vehicle | publisher = Vauxpedia | accessdate = 2014-09-25 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141225132324/http://vauxpedianet.uk2sitebuilder.com/bedford-ha---btv-basic-transport-vehicle | archive-date = 25 December 2014 |url-status = dead| df = dmy-all }} The little truck has a simple body made up entirely of flat surfaces placed atop a basic frame, while most mechanicals and what interior there was derived from the HA. It also uses the HA's 1,256 cc low-compression engine, here with {{convert|37|hp|kW|abbr=on}}, which together with some of the other more complex elements was sent from Vauxhall's Luton plant. The BTV was at one time or another manufactured in Malaysia (as the Bedford Harimau, this was the first iteration to be manufactured, from May 1972), Costa Rica (Amigo), Ecuador (Andino), El Salvador (Cherito), Guatemala (Chato), Nicaragua (Pinolero, by INDEVESA, S.A.), Paraguay (GM Mitaí), the Philippines (Amigo or Tiger), Portugal (Amigo), Honduras (Compadre), and in Suriname as the Moetete 1200/1300. It was also available in Indonesia in 1977 and 1978, with slightly different bodywork, as the Morina (without a company name). While Vauxhalls were unusual in Indonesia, the Morina's engine had been used in the Holden Torana (LJ and TA series), which was popular as a taxi in Jakarta.{{cite web | title = Morina harga hanya Rp1.250.000,- | trans-title = Morina, only 1,250,000 rupiah | url = http://pictomotif.blogspot.com/2016/02/morina-harganya-hanya-rp1250000.html | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20171231080128/http://pictomotif.blogspot.com/2016/02/morina-harganya-hanya-rp1250000.html | language = id | date = February 2016 | archivedate = 2017-12-31 | work = Pictomotif | last = Warsito | first = Edi }} The Morina was built by General Motors' local subsidiary P.T. Garuda Diesel, and power was claimed to be {{convert|58.5|hp|kW|abbr=on}} SAE. "Morina" is an acronym of MObil Rakyat INdonesiA ("Indonesian People's Car").

The Ecuadorean Andino entered production in 1973 and continued until 1976.{{cite journal | title = El primer Andino aún sigue rodando |trans-title=The first Andino is still on its wheels | url = http://www.lahora.com.ec/index.php/noticias/show/1101272318/-1/El_primer_Andino_a%C3%BAn_sigue_rodando.html#.VCRkobxdW0w | language = Spanish | journal = La Hora Nacional | date = 2012-01-24 | first = Jean Pierre | last = Michelet | location = Quito, Ecuador | accessdate = 2014-09-25 }} The Paraguayan Mitaí had its own bodywork which fully enveloped the front wheels, and was only available in red, white, or blue - the colours of their flag. Production was also planned for Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, and certain other countries. Some sources state that no more than 3,000 BTVs were built across the world.{{cite book | title = General Motors in the Twentieth Century | editor1-last = Binder | editor1-first = Alan K. | editor2-last = Ferris | editor2-first = Deebe | date = 2000 | publisher = Ward's Communications | isbn = 0-910589-52-6 | location = Southfield, MI | page = 131 | ref = GM20th }}

GM Philippines soon developed a more car-like version of the BTV with a four-door station wagon body (mainly used as a taxi) called the GM Harabas.{{cite web | url = https://www.lumangoto.com/harabas/ | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210116204404/https://www.lumangoto.com/harabas/ | archive-date = 2021-01-16 | work = Lumang Oto | title = The forgotten father of the AUV – Harabas }}

General Motors also built another basic vehicle using the Vauxhall engine in the 1970s, the South African Chevrolet Nomad.

{{reflist}}

• {{cite book | title = Vauxhall Viva | series = Motor Manuals no. 66 | last = Olyslager | first = Piet | location = London, UK | publisher = Sunday Times Publications/Olyslager Organisation N.V. | date = 1965 }}

• {{Commons category-inline|Bedford HA}}

{{Bedford vehicles}}

{{Vauxhall timeline 1945 to 1979}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bedford Ha}}

HA

Category:Cars introduced in 1964

Category:Cars discontinued in 1983