R model Bedford

Hi all,

I have recently acquired an R model Bedford (nostalgia got the better of me as the first truck I can recall riding in was a Simsmetal S model Marel in the 60s). It is currently red but underneath that I can see some yellow and the chassis seems to be grey or black. I don't know anything of its history but suspect that it may be an ex SEC vehicle. Could anyone confirm that the SEC used this sort of truck?
Also I can't find a manufacture date anywhere. Is this something you can find out from some website using the engine or chassis numbers?

Cheers

Hi Southpaw,

Welcome to the world of people owning R series Bedfords.

The build date is hidden in the chassis number.
The example given in the parts handbook is:-
RFPIW 9T461953
This decodes as follows:-
R = R model
F = 300 CU Inch petrol motor
P = 20,000 to 22,000 lbs GVW
I = actually a 1 and means Short chassis.
W = 4 speed transmission with Winch option

9 = 1969 production
T = made in the Dunstable factory
461953 is the chassis number.

The VIN ID plates were introduced in 1967, Production years indicated by the 6th character are,
7 = 1967
8 = 1968
9 = 1969
0 = 1970
1 = 1971
etc

If your truck was made before 1967 it will not have a VIN like the one explained above.

cheers,
Pip

Hi Southpaw and welcome .. if you post your ch/no the boys here may be able to decipher the whole thing...cheers mate

Thanks Defective,

I'm not sure why I didn't do that at the start.

Chassis RLHC3 No 32663
Engine No. RL342540
Paint 253
Insert 2380
Body R42M

I suspected a manufacture date around 1960 and now thanks to bedford4home's post I know it's pre 1967.

Cheers

Hi Southpaw,

Unfortunately I do not have a list of chassis or engine numbers and the years they were used.
The nearest I can come is to tell you that one of my RLs that has the engine number RL3/48428 was supposedly built in either 1961 or 62. This information came from the good folks in the RSOLES Yahoo group that has mainly UK members. These people are very keen followers of the 'Green Goddess' fire engine version of the RL. I suggest joining that group, and asking them what year is was made in.

Is your RL a Holden assembled one? The Holden assembled ones were supposedly shipped as knocked down kits of parts and assembled at one of the Holden assembly plants, but I do not know what the location of the assembly plant was.

cheers,
Pip

I think 253 is just the prefix for the paint. (e.g. : 253 02380, or such.) If there is no number after that (perhaps hand-stamped under layers of paint) it may be a fleet colour as you suspect. (and thus may not be in my paint book) I couldn't find 2380 between 1958 and '73 in the paint book. (I always thought "insert" was the side-flash colour)

I have seen GMH vehicles with blanks before. (but where the engine/gearbox codes should be)

Jarrod.