Bedford CF 350 - Have / do / would you ????

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Beatrice5

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So I went to see this lorry today. It looked remarkably solid and despite poking with a screwdriver the floor / ramps / chasis all look very respectable . It has a dent in the aluminium roof from where a barn roof fell in on it and it has stood for 5 years so I didn't try and start her - I will leave that for my mechanic when he checks her over. His comment was it will be a devil in replacement parts. Can anyone tell me where or how I could source parts or if it would be a no go?

So I am guessing a 350 means it is a 3.5 ton. therefore in the absence of any paperwork - all lost by the elderly owner is there anyway I can find out the payload as its currently a non runner so not able to get it to the weigh bridge atm. It has been used for 2 large hunters but I am well aware that doesnt mean it was legal. The box is 6ft wide, 7 ft tall and the breach bar to rear bar is 6 ft plus headroom at the front so it would be a decent space for 2 horses just not sure it could carry the weight.

I have been told I can have it for its scrap value of a few hundred pounds. If it was able to be running again and passed a plating would it have any resale value as a pony or single horse box and what might that be ? I like a project and if it was worthwhile would be happy to have her fixed up and freshened up in order to sell her to go towards a bigger lorry for me.

Does anyone have one of these still going strong and what are they like to drive and how reliable are they etc? One final question as she is circa 32 years old does that mean she is a classic and road tax exempt ?

Many thanks
 
The 350 refers to the model. Bedford was a part of Vauxhall (GM), so most parts should be available. Contact the owners' club, they should know about parts availability and any quirks.

They rust for a pastime! Check it and check it again. Petrol engines are thirsty, but more oomph than a Transit of the same era. Generally nice to drive (for a van) but it may well not have power steering.

Only way to (legally) get it to a weigh bridge is on a lorry.

They need to be 40 for classic status, I think. So built (not registered) before 1974.

If I were you and I had room, I'd have it. But I like classic vehicles and I did have a CF briefly, but I didn't have it long enough to get it running :(

Owners' club http://www.bedford-cf.co.uk/main.htm
 
My mechanic struggled to find parts sometimes for my CF350 and then I came across this guy Adrian Bailey - http://www.roverland.eu/index.html he's found me all sorts for mine when it needs bits doing to pass it's MOT. Mines a petrol and it does drink fuel but not too bad if you're only doing short trips. It does make me limit myself to going no further than an hour really. Mine is stalled for two horses but it weighs 2430kg so not enough payload left to legally carry two.
 
I've just bought a 27 year old transit and found it so overwhelming at first it stayed parked on my drive for a couple of weeks while I looked at it and panicked!

The first thing I did was buy a Haynes manual which has been invaluable. I have found some spares for it on ebay which has been brilliant, there are replacement panels and all sorts on there and I got a full service filters kit for £20 which was a bargain.

I also found a Transit forum where the people have been really helpful

I have tackled a few jobs myself and called in a mechanic for others. The weight of my box is stamped inside the door on a plate but that was pre-conversion so I can only guesstimate the weight now until I can get it to a weighbridge. I only have small ponies so am not as concerned as if I had horses

Mine had stood for 4 years (going by the last tax disc) but someone had started the work and had the welding done so that was a bonus. Sadly there is usually a catch to a bargain and in my case the fuel pump is leaking so will cost a minimum of a few hundred to replace so thats possibly why it was for sale

Do get the tyres replaced if possible as although they may have tread on they may well have perished while the lorry has been standing. ditto the cam belt. I am frankly astonished that my lorry made it the 40 miles home and looking back was foolish to drive it
 
Thank you so much for the replies and very useful link - hugely appreciated :) looks like it may well be worth perusing further and at least getting a mechanics view as to what is needed to pass a plating . The payload info is very interesting and at least I could carry one horse or two ponies which would be useful . Would need to weigh my pony too ;)
 
Coastal or inland? I used to live in and around Bishops Lydeard, if you're looking for a garage/mechanic type place, I can ask about.
 
We are nr wiveliscombe so not that far from bishops lydeard . Mechanic recommendations appreciated . Although also as have never driven a lorry maybe lorry lessons an idea too but not sure how to go about finding a lorry instructor as don't want to drive a hgv ;)
 
Don't panic, it's only a van! I would expect there is no power steering, so you may want to go steady until you get used to it. Gives you a good workout too, you'll find muscles you didn't know you had. ;)

I used to use the garage in Mount Street, Lydeard, they'd know what they're doing with an older vehicle. Some of the younger mechanics out there can't cope without a socket to plug their diagnostic tool into. Is it a petrol or diesel? If it's petrol, it's probably got a manual choke too. Even this can cause a modern mechanic to get confused. I know, I've seen it.....

My neds used to live in Wivey. Nice hacking around there, I miss it.

I'll have an ask around, see if I can find out any more names.
 
Mmmmm....they do have a collectors following, but they really aren't the nicest to drive. And parts will be pretty hard to find. And if you're not DIY savvy, re-furbing it will probably cost you WAY more than the value.

One option could buy to buy it, take off the body and keep it until you find a decent modern chassis and sell the CF bit to an anorak from the owners club!
 
What would a replacement van cost ish ? And also as the horse box is a good size could I get a bigger van so therefore have a better payload ? I don't need to be restricted to a 3.5 as I am ancient ;)

Also how long would it take to swap over and would it be an expensive job ? I do like your thinking though :)
 
Not sure about payload, although I think Renault Masters go up to 4500kg.

Swap cost depends on whether changes are needed to how it mounts on to the new chassis.

It is all do-able, but it's the sort of thing you can get really burnt on if you don't know what you are doing. I think by far the best idea would be to find a local horsebox builder and either sweet-talk him or pay him into coming out and having a look at the beast. He'll then be able to measure up, tell you what the body will fit onto and give an idea of cost.
 
The way i see my van is that the purchase price is cheap and to get it to a safe useable degree still brings it in cheap

I will then chip away at the work as and when i have the money

Yes overall it would probably cost me more than its worth but finding the money for a decent box in one go was a no-no but while it is done up i have a useable box and save £110 a time on renting one
 
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