Looking for Bedford VAL info (I think).

[Lloyd.L]

Hello, as I mentioned in my welcome post, I am seeking info on a Bedford VAL twin steer that we converted and used as a racing car transporter in the mid 1970s. The problem is that I have very little memory about it regarding which body it had, but it had 1 distinguishing feature, it had a FORD D800 engine!
I definitely know what the engine was because it put a rod through the side just after crossing the border from Austria into Italy, and we sent a short engine out in the back of a mini pickup!
It seems odd to me that a Bedford would have a Ford engine, but it otherwise looked like a VAL apart from the FORD badge on the front. Question, did ford make a similar chassis?

Also, for modelling purposes, I am looking for general measurements for the Bedford VAL Duple Major if anyone could help.

Any thoughts? Regards, Lloyd

[dmackay]

I can tell you anything you want to know about the D800 engine Lloyd served my apprentiship on them

[G-CPTN]

Ford never made a twin-steer Chinese six bus/coach chassis as far as I know, though they did build some 'specials' as trucks (mainly for breweries).
Standard engine for early VALs was a Leyland 400, later the Bedford 466.

[Lloyd.L]

Thanks guys, I too served a Ford apprenticeship, on cars, but in 1970 I worked on a Ford Commercial parts counter for a year, so I knew what bits went into a D800 but never worked on them.

The reason that I asked the question originally is that I had looked at everything that I could find on the internet about the VAL and hoped to find that some had been retro fitted with other engines, especially that ours was badged as a Ford.

I collected the short engine in its Ford marked crate from a Ford dealer before it was driven to Italy, so I know that at least our VAL had a Ford 6 cylinder motor, but who fitted it? Is there a complete VAL listing anywhere.

When my company bought the coach, I went to collect it and drove it back from somewhere not too far from London, but, at this distance in time, I am afraid that I cant remember where.

Any more thoughts please.

Regards, Lloyd

[robertdavey6]

This might help. It might not too. I'm surprised no-one else has mentioned it.

http://wakefield-files.freehostia.com/bedfordval.htm

[Lloyd.L]

Thanks Robert, I have been unable to email them due to the setup of my computer, but I will telephone him after Christmas as he seems very knowledgeable about the VAL.

[G-CPTN]

As far as I can recall, there were 2 VALs available - the VAL14 or the VAL70. I believe that the only difference between them was the SIZE of engine, the 14 being bigger than the 70. However, I have absolutely no idea at all what 14 or 70 exactly referred to, be it the make/size of engine. I'm sure there's someone out there that knows.

The early VALs were all VAL14 - fitted with Leyland's 400 engine (6.17 litre) as Bedford didn't have a suitable engine, however they designed a new one (which was given the designation 70 - thus the VAL became the VAL70). The engine was 466 cu in (7.6 litre).

There was a sister engine with the designation 60 (381 cu in) but it wasn't fitted to the VAL (it was used in the TK models KG and KH).

[Lloyd.L]

Hello, I have, after a long time looking, found a contact for the team that ran these coaches/transporters. If I am really lucky they may have some paddock shots showing the VAL. If I can get the registration number I will have something to go on.

Regards, Lloyd.

[G-CPTN]

Great news! Keep us informed . . .

[zulu]

Don't know if I am putting this in the right place on this forum but I am interested in buying a Leyland Atlantean, preferably a Liverpool one from the 1960's or 70's. Anyone know how I would make further enquiries about this?