Currently losing my mind over the BEDFORD KB

[Split_Pin]

Using the front half of an Isuzu Florian and badged as a Bedford for the UK.

 

I'd never even heard of these until I saw a 2nd generation example in a Bedford Promotional video a few weeks ago.

 

That is all.

[chaseracer]

I'd completely forgotten about these!

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isuzu_Faster

[mercrocker]

I remember going to look at one about 20 years ago.  It was fucked.   Probably better off trying to import a Chevy Luv.....

[mercrocker]

.....or a real KB

 

[Richard]

A friend of my mother's had what he claimed was the first in Scotland- ESL470V, about three weeks from being a W IIRC. It got repossessed fairly quickly though.

[Richard]

ESL 470V

✗ Untaxed

Tax due:
01 April 1990

Incorrect tax status?

MOT

No details held by DVLA

Incorrect MOT status?

WarningIf you've just bought this vehicle the tax or SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification)doesn't come with it. You'll need to tax it before driving it.

Vehicle details

• Vehicle make:BEDFORD
• Date of first registration:July 1980
• Year of manufacture:1980
• Cylinder capacity (cc):1584 cc
• CO₂Emissions:Not available
• Fuel type:PETROL
• Euro Status:Not available
• Export marker:No
• Vehicle status:Not taxed
• Vehicle colour:BLUE
• Vehicle type approval:Not available
• Wheelplan:2-AXLE-RIGID BODY
• Revenue weight:2350kg

[bramz7]

Saw an LUV last year in Greece. Saw another a fortnight ago but haven't uploaded it yet...

 

1972-80 Chevrolet LUV. by Sam Osbon, on Flickr

[Mr_Bo11ox]

I dont think they ever sold the early Florian based one in the UK

[Asimo]

Better get to Portugal then. Always a few on CustoJusto.

 

https://www.custojusto.pt/portugal/carros-usados/outras-marcas?br=54&o=2&re=10&st=a#27179550

 

 

 

https://www.custojusto.pt/portugal/carros-usados/q/isuzu?re=10

[Split_Pin]

Just found out that Hotwheels do a model of the Florian based LUV!

[sierraman]

They did sell the pre facelift KB in the UK. My neighbors had one of the later ones as a builders van.

[Mr Bump]

Yay! An early Frontera pick up

[Timewaster]

*Shudders at the memory of working in a GM parts dept in 1990*

 

There were a few of these knocking around, mostly farm hacks held together with bailing twine.

 

I swear these bloody things were made out of whatever they found lying around.

 

Parts took weeks to arrive and none ever fitted.

 

Possibly, just possibly worse than French cars of the 80s.

[sierraman]

Yay! An early Frontera pick up

 

Assembled in same factory i think.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

They did sell the pre facelift KB in the UK. My neighbors had one of the later ones as a builders van.

 

Hey you're right, I just found a UK brochure on Vauxpedia. I dont think I have EVER seen one!!! Thats defo the sort of hopeless shit I would remember from my childhood as well.

 

http://vauxpedianet.uk2sitebuilder.com/bedford-kb---25-pick-up

 

[mat_the_cat]

Was this the last time a 'clearly labelled, accessible fuse box' was listed as a selling feature in an advert?

[MorrisItalSLX]

They sold them in Australia as the Holden KB Rodeo

 

 

And even here in Australia, the home and birthplace of the pick-up, they are properly rare beasts.

 

EDIT: According to How Many Left, there are 10 KBs left. 9 KB26s, 3 Licensed and 6 SORNed and only 1 KB41 on SORN!

[Split_Pin]

I do remember the phase 2 models but not the earlier Florianesque ones.

 

The replacement for the KB, the Brava (popular with the AA in the mid 1990s) was briefly marketed as a Bedford from 1988-1990. I think there are still a couple of those kicking about.

[solid61]

Had a brand new one on a V plate at a Vauxhall/Bedford main dealers that I worked at,it was light blue and would you believe had a Harvey frost recovery crane bolted to the back!!!,other than that I can't remember much about it but I think it was petrol with column change,it wasn't there very long,I think around that time the rules for single wheel recovery vehicles changed so it became illegal.

[Guest Hooli]

.....or a real KB

 

ca0cfdd262782e0a314b697a96aad224.jpg

 

That's what I expected when I opened the thread.

[Split_Pin]

Sorry to dissapoint!

[Guest Hooli]

So you should be!

 

 

*mutter mutter mutter*

[Timewaster]

Don't forget the ultra rare KB 4x4.

[sierraman]

First I knew of them was from the Observers book of Trucks. I’d imagine many had a short and hard life, probably owned originally by a engineering firm or something then a workhorse for a jobbing builder, likely until it collapsed or went rotten. Probably why there are only 10 left.

[barrett]

This one I spotted a couple of years ago is still going strong! Well, until February at least, when the MoT runs out.

 

[Mr_Bo11ox]

Wow thats a cracker!!!! Great spot!

[tooSavvy]

A351PEG .... Bedford Unknown Green - no records of mot

 

Tax due June 2000

[nigel bickle]

There was a reasonable, early dark blue one on EBay around a year ago- sadly I was too ill to consider at the time.

 

Would have made a nice partner to my Florian.

 

Not seen another, since.

[martc]

That Bedford is close, those Vikings are far away (or else it's the worlds largest lorry/smallest people).

 

[Mr_Bo11ox]

Ken Barlow