Paul sent over this commercial vehicle photo in 2009. The picture shows a short wheelbase 2 or 3 ton Bedford that had already endured a hard working life, when this photo was taken in 1959. Rhodes Brothers owned the lorry, and operated it from their base in Heywood, North Manchester. The vehicle must have had a varied life, as the firm were not only haulage contractors, but also could supply timber and building materials. The o/s bonnet panel is quite badly dented, and unusually the front sidelight is mounted quite far down the front of the wing, rather than on top as on most Bedfords of this era (ML, O, K series etc).
Does anyone remember seeing this lorry driving around the roads of Manchester, or remember Rhodes Brothers?
More Bedfords featured at OCC.
Restorers of older Bedfords might find the "truckads" section of the site useful, as there are quite a few ad pages given over to various popular Bedford vans, lorries and pickups. Old drivers who regularly drove these classic commercials may well remember the Bedford Drivers Club too. The story of a 1933 Bedford WHG restoration is also an interesting read if you have the time. A fine photo of a pre-war breakdown lorry owned by Spurling Motors of Hendon, can be found here.
The video included below, features 100+ photographs of classic Bedfords that are now in preservation.
