New member
 

hello to all from Mildura, Victoria, Australia

G'day Welcome to the Truck and Bus Forum Rooguroo feel free to join in with photos and comments.
Ian

Hello and welcome to the forum, enjoy and all the best.

Welcome Rooguroo from the North of Scotland :)

Welcome Rooguroo, from Rugby Warwickshire

Sorry I have been away working, and have been home for two days.
Just to let everyone know without bragging I have owned a Leyland Viking Motor home for about 18 months, which is almost back on the road.

But last week I became the owner of a Bedford Val 14 I will post photo's of both as soon as I find the cord for my camera to upload them

14 indicates Leyland engine (in the VAL).

Correct Leyland engine and I believe, the early model coach body more rounded than the Val 70. However I am still researching this vehicle, and there is a lot of work to be done on it, having said that I had a bit of a look last night and the lights all work, I fixed an air leak and I ran the engine for a while, sneaking it outside the gate a little, sorry folks I must off to bed, big day today.

All VAL bodies were non-Bedford.
I read that the Leyland Viking is ex Ashok (built in India). Where was it bodied (and what engine is fitted)?
http://abh.0fees.net/ashokleyland/viking/index.html

leyland Viking bus
 

I believe the Leyland that I have was imported as a rolling chassis with the leyland motor and gearbox etc, the body was built here in Australia and then into service, with whom I don't yet know.

My Val 14
 

Then there is this one which I beleive is a Val 14 I haven't had the time to search the bus as yet but it does have the leyland motor in it and it runs really sweet compared to the other bus that I have, this may be the one I keep, both buses have been converted into motor homes but both also need modernizing inside because of the age of the fittings

Missing picture
 

Sorry here tis

I have to nail it on with a bigger hammer

The VAL will be a dream to drive, believe me (assuming that it's mechanically sound). The weakness of the VAL is the brakes if you are running fully laden in mountainous country - otherwise they'll be OK. Steering and manoeuvrability are superb - despite the size.
I bet the Ashok Leyland will be harder and more tiring to drive.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bedford_VAL

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