Bedford TK
| Bedford TK | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Bedford Vehicles |
| Also called | MK (military model) |
| Production |
1959–1986 (Bedford) 1988-1992 (AWD) |
| Assembly | Dunstable plant |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Commercial vehicle, military vehicle |
| Body style | chassis cab, flatbed, troop carrier, tipper, recovery vehicle |
| Layout |
Longitudinal front engine, four-wheel drive (4x4) |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 103 bhp 6-cylinder diesel |
| Transmission | 4-speed manual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 3.962 meter |
| Length | 6.579 meter |
| Width | 2.489 meter |
| Height |
2.501 (cap) and 3.404 (tarpaulin) |
| Kerb weight | 5.1 ton |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Bedford S type |
| Successor | Bedford TL |
The Bedford TK is a truck that was produced by the Vauxhall Motors-owned Bedford Vehicles company. Launched in 1959 to replace the Bedford S type, the TK was scheduled to be replaced by the Bedford TL in 1981, but manufacturing of the TK continued as a cheaper alternative. A military 4x4 version called the Bedford MK was also produced. After Bedford's Dunstable factory was sold in 1987 to AWD, the TK restarted production for military only use[1] until 1992 when AWD went into receivership.
History and use
The TK range replaced the S type in 1959, and served as the basis for a variety of derivatives, including fire engines, military, horse boxes, tippers, flatbed trucks, and other specialist utilities. A General Post Office (later British Telecom) version used for installing telegraph poles was known as the "Polecat".
Available with an inline four or inline six cylinder petrol and diesel engines - the TK was the quintessential light truck in the UK through most of the 1960s and 1970s, competing with the similar Ford D series. It was available in rigid form, and also as a light tractor unit normally using the Scammell coupling form of semi-trailer attachment.
In 1981 Bedford introduced turbocharging to the "Red Series" 3.6-litre and 5.4-litre diesel engines, now producing 72 bhp and 102 bhp respectively.[2]
MK
Bedford MKs - a 4x4 variant of the TK - are still used by the British Armed Forces.[3] The Bedford MK was introduced to replace the Bedford RL. It was very successful and by year end 1977 a total of 11,700 units had been produced for the British Army and overseas military services. The MK has been produced in many variants.
MK in popular culture
A yellow Bedford MK was featured in the television series Doctor Who, mainly during the Third Doctor's adventures.[4]
Notes
- ↑ "AWD wins MoD order". Commercial Motor. 31 March 1988. p. 15. Retrieved 14 October 2013.
- ↑ "Red Turbo Bedfors". Commercial Motor. 13 June 1981. p. 23. Retrieved 14 October 2013.
- ↑ JANE's Military Vehicles and Ground Support Equipment, 1985, page 434 - 436
- ↑ Bedford TK at the Internet Movie Cars Database
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bedford TK / MK. |