Peterborough Truckfest - the Bedfords add the class...

George Ward attended the Truckfest on May 2 and, among the huge number of trucks (old and modern) present, he found a few Bedfords and has graciously given his permission for them to be posted on BTW - since it desperately needs an update. Anyway, enjoy.

The oldest Bedford to feature on BTW to date, this 1936 WL tipper was photographed during one of the show's parades. A couple of years or so after this truck was built, the W-type received a facelift when the bonnet and grille more associated with the later KMO range 'replaced' the front-end you see above. The cab remained until the KMOs arrived on the scene just before the war.

Speaking of the war, the polar bear on the left guard of this 1941 O-type radio van (?) is the insignia for the 49th (West Riding) Infantry Division. Interesting to see the fuel tank on the left. Would it also have one on the right in the standard position?

Probably one of the most extensively restored Bedfords on the road in the UK, this Jeakins 1951 ML (same age as our ML but infinitely more complete!) accompanied a Model T to Truckfest.

I'm afraid I'm no good with the dating of UK number plates (L reg?) but based on the lack of 'ridge' on the front of the cab, I'd argue this TK 'type' is post-1968. Helping this argument, and going by the combined indicator/clearance light and assuming the "Bedford" badge would have been on the grille, I'd also say post-1973. Can anyone confirm? She's certainly a very tidy example and wonderful to see.