| Manufacturer | Bedford Vehicles |
|---|---|
| Production | 1963–1983 |
| Successor | Bedford Astravan |
| Class | Light commercial vehicle |
| Body style | Car derived van |
| Layout | Longitudinal front engine, rear-wheel drive |
| Related | Vauxhall Viva (HA), Bedford HB, Bedford HC |
The Bedford HA was a car derived van introduced in 1963 by the Vauxhall Motors subsidiary Bedford Vehicles, based on the Vauxhall Viva (HA) family car. It was also known as the Bedford Beagle in station wagon / small campervan form.
It was extremely popular with utility companies in the United Kingdom, particularly the Post Office, British Rail[1], Electricity Boards, British Telecom and British Gas. Many other firms such as British European Airways, DER rental and Meals on Wheels services had large fleets as well.
It soldiered on in production for 20 years, until 1983, where it was replaced by the Bedford Astravan / Bedford Astramax. As the Vauxhall Viva saloon cars went through various detail changes; the bodywork of the van models stayed the same, but they did receive the larger internal combustion engines, and carburetter changes as that years car models received. A very rare pick up version was offered to Municipal Councils and the like, though not to the private purchaser.
A Bedford HA was used in the filming of the Beiderbecke Trilogy, and in series two of the comedy drama Auf Wiedersehen, Pet[2], and also in the Oscar winning movie, A Fish Called Wanda.
