The Bedfore VAL's

[billyboy]

Remember them? the trusty old six leggers!
The twin steer arrangement made the drivers job easier with a hydraulic steering ram to assist. Some of these VAL's were not too bad, if fitted with a Thelma electric retarder or exhaust brake. But they were prone to brake failure
(fade) one good aplication of the footbrake and that was your brakes gone for the day. The other thing they were good for was punctures, the first axle set the nail up for the second axle.
Drove one with a Leyland 400 power plus series engine and a electric retarder. sweet little motor that one was

[G-CPTN]

I did test work on VALs.
One test was to drive over a hilly route until the brakes faded out (the wheels were small and therefore so were the brakes) and then continue driving (using the brakes) to assess lining wear . . .
Of course this was done on a closed track (although there were other test vehicles using it, however they were aware of what the VAL was doing).
The VAL concept was brilliant (if flawed) and it was easy to drive and steer (very manoeuvrable) though you had to be aware of the tail swing - there was a long overhang.
As you state the Leyland 400 was a good motor (and the Telma retarder helped to save the brakes for emergencies).

The Italian Job (the original, not the remake . . . )
http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/7248/bus0134080no.jpg
"Hang on . . . I've got an idea . . . "

[billyboy]

I agree that you could park them anywhere. drive right up to a wall then put a full lock on at the last minute.

[wayoutwest]

g/day all.i use to drive them for a firm called victory tours in dorset and you had to almost bend them round some of the narrow lanes.the steering and gear change were great but as said the brakes were bloody awful. mike. ps a great forum there must be thousands of old bus drivers out there.

[Mr-Tomcat]

If there is one thing I can say about my years of driving I never got to drive a VAL, travelled in them with my dad driving, ah maybe one day.
Here is one of two on the rally scene
Andy.

[bedfordvalman]

There were several VAL's built as commercial vehicles because of the low platform height, notably several pantechnicons.

Clarkes Boxes at Mountsorrel had three bodied by Crawford, Prince & Johnson as palletised delivery trucks.

Catteralls in Blackpool had three built to transport racing pigeons.

Several were bodied from new as horseboxes by Lambourn, Vincents, Smiths & at least one by Marsden.

I am currently, however researching three Marsden bodied pantechnicons operated by Sharnaware from Droylsden who manufactured plastic kitchenware and toys. All were registered in Warrington by Marsden before delivery viz: TED125H, UED108J & YED661K I have black & white photos of two of these, but wonder if anyone can remember the colours of Sharnaware
vehicles.

I am also very keen to acquire further images of VAL commercials if there are any out there.

[G-CPTN]

http://rides.webshots.com/photo/1482...78404180tplewm
http://rides.webshots.com/photo/1452...78404180xBJPfj

[Ian]

Welcome to Truck and Bus Bedfordvalman can you download the photos of Sharnaware Vals I lived in Droylsden many moons ago, and hopefully seeing the photos MAY just jog the memory.

Ian

[Mr-Tomcat]

Here is a picture of a non bus body VAL on the CVC site.
http://ccmv.fotopic.net/p26085777.html

Andy

[bedfordvalman]

Many thanks to G-CPTN, Ian & Mr-Tomcat for replies & links.

I will post photos of Sharnaware VAL's tonight for Ian.

I have also remembered another strange commercial VAL built by Spurlings in 1964 as a test rig for a jet helicopter engine at Farnborough! Will try to post a pic of that also.

Regards - Geoff