hello everyone

[tim65fastback]

I am new here so forgive me for my ignorance. I am a classic car enthusiast mostly 60s american actually have owned an old american ford since 1979 and also have a series 11 land rover (since 97), as time goes on I find myself more and more attracted to old rather than new. Well 5 years ago I started racing and we currently have a motorhome and trailer to get to the track. I would love a 60's coach/car transporter preferably a bedford val or similar. Where do they come up for sale, or are they impossible to find ? sorry to be a complete idiot

[Ian]

Welcome to the T&B forum, sorry I can't help, you might be a little late for a Bedford Val but there must be coaches reaching retirement age all the time. I am confident some body on here will know where you might find something suitable.

[G6 UXU]

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

[G-CPTN]

http://www.classicbuses.co.uk/help.html#VS

There used to be a fabulous website by John Wakefield detailing all the surviving Bedfords (including the VAL:- http://wakefield-files.freehostia.co...rdval-list.htm)
but it appears to have 'disappeared' - maybe it's only temporary (I hope so)/

There was a series for every type of Bedford bus and coach with histories and differences and lists of known survivors.
http://wakefield-files.freehostia.com/

It'll be a shame if they've gone!

This might explain the demise:- http://safebrowsing.clients.google.c...edford-val.htm

See also:- http://tbg.150m.com/wwy115g.html

and:- https://en-gb.facebook.com/events/125869030883844/

BTW, the VAL is a superb vehicle to drive (light, precise steering). Fully laden it can be slow climbing on steep hills (though you should have no problems with your anticipated load), and the brakes are a weak point if you operate at full weight in steep, mountainous areas due to fade and rapid wear (the drums were small because of the small wheels).

I drove many miles running with overheated brakes to check the wear rate.

[coastie]

tim65fastback, a very warm welcome from the sunny Isle of Anglesey. (I notice you've found our resident Bedford expert.)

[tim65fastback]

thanks guys, a great help already. I will start looking, thanks for the ideas. I just love the 4 steered wheels on the Val and in the early 70's am fairly sure that was what used to take me to school. I do remember the slow progress up-hill !

[G-CPTN]

Early VALs (from 1963 to 1966) were fitted with the Leyland 0.400 (6.54 litre) engine, whilst later ones (from 1967 to 1972) had the Bedford 466 cu in (7.64 litre) engine.